The variety
Navelina navel orange – Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Season of ripeness: November to January
The orange is the fruit of the citrus species Citrus sinensis in the family Rutaceae. The fruit of the Citrus sinensis is called sweet orange to distinguish it from that of the Citrus aurantium, the bitter orange. The orange is cultivated since ancient times. Orange is an evergreen citrus tree known for its fruit, ornamental foliage and fragrant flowers. They should be planted in the warmest part of the garden protected from frost and wind. Often planted close to the house near windows (for fragrance,flowers and foliage) or on a sunny wall, it is important that they are watered regularly/consistently. Plant in full sun situation, well-drained, organically enriched, slightly acidic soils, they should be mulched to protect the surface feeding root-systems. Hand-weeding a small circle around the base will insure grass growth does not effect the root systems if planted into a lawn area. Citrus also does very well planted in free-draining containers and pots.
Navelina’ is early maturing navel variety, maturing two to three weeks earlier than Washington Navel. It produces an elongated fruit with a deeper orange rind than ‘Parent Navel.’ The fruits are great quality. They grow best in a sunny position, in free draining organically enriched soils. Height: 2.5m. The Navelina trees are not very vigorous, and semi-dwarf in size. The fruit is medium to medium-large in size and slightly pear-shaped with a small navel. The fruit have very smooth rind and have reddish orange rind color at maturity. The fruit mature very early and are juicy with a sweet flavor that is less sprightly than Washington navel.
Orange trees are widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates for their sweet fruit, which can be eaten fresh or processed to obtain juice, and for the fragrant peel. They have been the most cultivated tree fruit in the world since 1987, and sweet oranges account for approximately 70% of the citrus production. In 2010, 68.3 million tonnes of oranges were grown worldwide.
Citrus sinensis ‘Navelina’:
This variety of orange was given the name ‘Navel’ because of the way in which it grows – is has a second fruit that grows at the apex and makes the orange a not quite round shape – looking like a human navel! Navelina is very closely related!
- Closely related to the Navel Orange.
- Seedless fruits are medium to large and have thin skin, almost smooth skins.
- Richly flavoured.
- Early to ripen.
- Self fertile.
- Requires Winter frost protection (a minimum of 41°F (5°C)and ideally 50°F (10°C)or higher).
- Likes a sunny, warm position.
- Prefer free draining, slightly acidic (pH 6 – 6.5) soil.
- Please note that it is normal for all citrus to shed their leaves if the surrounding temperatures change suddenly, they simply releaf.
- Fruits are early to mature.
- Edible scented flowers.
- Perfumed flowers.