Orange tree (Citrus sinensis) WASHINGTON NAVEL

Washington Navel is one of the best high quality and traditional oranges. Is a popular citrus variety known for its exceptionally delicious, seedless, easy-peeling fruits. This compact evergreen tree quickly attracted the attention of citrus growers, and is currently grown all over the World for its high quality and sweetness. Thrives in subtropical to mild temperate climates with full sun and well-draining soil.

Origin: the Washington Navel orange originated from a single bud sport mutation on a tree in Bahia, Brazil, in the early 1800s. This mutation resulted in a seedless orange with a navel-like indentation at the blossom end. Cuttings from this tree were imported to Washington D.C., in the 1870s, hence the name Washington navel. From there, they were distributed to Riverside, California, where they found ideal growing conditions and became an major part of the U.S. citrus industry.
Vigour: moderate, very compact evergreen tree with spherical, somewhat drooping canopy. Typically grows to a medium size, ranging from 3-4 meters tall. Leaves are lanceolate, medium-small in size and dark-green in colour.
Rootstocks: Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange
Blossom: flowers in spring. The flowers lack viable pollen so the Washington navel orange will not pollinate other citrus trees. Because of the lack of functional pollen and viable ovules, the Washington navel orange produces seedless fruits.
Fruits: large round fruits have a medium-thick, slightly pebbled orange to deep orange rind that is easily peeled, and the navel, really a small secondary fruit, sometimes protrudes from the apex of the fruit. Rind can be candied or zested giving your food a special refreshing and aromatic flavour.
Flesh: very juicy, usually seedless and very sweet. As one of the most juicy and sweet oranges, it can be used to make desserts, cakes, liquors, marmalades, salads.
Flavor: sweet, juicy, and delicious
Harvest season: the fruits ripen in late fall to winter (months November to January), but will hold on the tree for several months beyond maturity and stores well
Yield: a mature Washington Navel orange tree typically produces around 200-400 oranges per season. Yields can vary depending on rootstock, orchard density, and other factors.
Disease resistance: the Washington Navel orange tree is known for its good disease resistance, making it a reliable choice for citrus cultivation. It is particularly resistant to citrus gummosis disease caused by Phytophthora species, but can be susceptible to citrus tristeza virus (CTV). While generally considered pest-resistant, it can still be vulnerable to specific pests.
Frost resistance: moderately cold-hardy, with a general recommendation to shelter the tree from temperatures below -5°C. It can tolerate some cold, but is sensitive to frost, particularly sudden temperature drops below -2°C.
Planting and care: orange trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Additionally, the soil should be well-draining with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. When it comes to watering, orange trees prefer less frequent, deep watering rather than frequent shallow sprinklings. Regular pruning is also important to maintain the shape of the tree and remove any dead or diseased branches. Regular fertilization with a balanced citrus fertilizer is essential for the health and productivity of your orange tree.