Our range of Oranges includes Navel, Valencia, Blood, Cipo, Bergamot, Seville, Vanigilia, and Buddahs Hand and each “Orange” is distinctively different from the other. Most grow to around 2.5m to 3m tall, are evergreen and highly ornamental trees with sweetly scented star-like flowers; many are available as DWARF or a STANDARD. 

Navels versus Valencia - both of which belong to the genus Citrus X sinensis.

If you want a long orange fruiting season, then obviously you are going to need a Navel and a Valencia!

 

Did you know that a “Navel” is so called due to the human navel appearance at the top of the orange, and it’s actually a second twin fruit opposite the stem.  When researching into some of the Navel Oranges, Lloyd said it appears they were mostly limb sports (mutations) of the Washington Navel. Navel Oranges are winter fruiting.  

Naval Cultivars 

 - Best seedless  (a NZ sport)

 - Carters

 - Fukumoto (originally from Japan)

 - Johnsons

 - Navelate 

 - Navelina  (discovered as a natural mutation in California)

 - Newhall

 - Parent 

 - Powells (an Australian sport) 

 - Washington

The Valencia oranges are named after the city of Valencia in Spain although actual origins are unknown.  Valencia Oranges are summer fruiting.

Valencia Cultivars

 - Harwood late 

 - Lue Gim Gong (from USA and dates back to 19th century)

 - Orange Valencia

Blood Oranges 

Blood oranges have an antioxidant called anthocyanin. This antioxidant gives blood oranges their distinct colour, and anti-cancer properties and help your body reduce damage from free radicals. This pigment develops when the fruits are fully ripe, and they need very specific weather conditions to do this; mainly grown in warmer climates.   Fruit taste is like a Navel or Valencia Orange with a hint of berry flavour. 

Blood Orange Cultivars

 - Cara Cara – from South America - distinct pink flesh. Ripens in winter.

 - Moro – from USA- darker-red flesh almost purple. Ripens from July – September.

 - Sanguinello – from Spain - Orange flesh with burgundy/brown streaks.  Ripens in winter.

 - Tarocco - from Italy – very sweet, requires coldness at night to give fruit its red colour. Ripens in winter. 

Other Oranges 

 - Bergamot is a probable hybrid between a lemon and a bitter orange, very fragrant and famous for the flavour in Earl grey tea, also used as flavourings for cookies, custard, marmalade and cocktails.

 - Buddhas Hand, from Northeast China or India, prized for its zest, the whole fruit is edible and has no pulp or juice.  The plant has an unusual shape, with “fingers” making it look like a hand in prayer. 

 - Cipo – A highly ornamental weeping citrus, with sweet, juicy fruits with few seeds.  

 - Seville is from Southeast Asia.  A sour or bitter orange, popular for making marmalade and cooking. 

 - Vaniglia Pink, an Asian Orange, that has pink flesh and is very sweet and almost acid-free.