Question From:
Carioca da Gema in Pacific Palms, Forster NSW
Nature of problem:
Not a problem: a discovery!
Type of Plant (if known):
Valencia orange
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
fruit a bit flecky
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
deep clay
How often do you water the plant:
hardly ever – high rainfall (usually)
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
5+
What type of plant is it:
citrus
How long since you planted it:
30 years?
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
once a year with chicken droppings
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
yes
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
I plucked a Valencia off the tree today, peeled it and discovered it had a secondary fruity body at one end – just like a navel orange. Never seen this before, so my wife took the seeds and is going to see what she’ll raise….
Might be the world’s first Navel Valencia LOL
I should point out that the tree is planted too close to a Washington Navel, and there’s a huge grapefruit tree overshadowing both…
Cheers,
LMH a.k.a carioca
Answer: Hi Carioca, It could be a seedless Valencia mutation BUT there is already a Seedless Valencia variety available which is a FAR better choice than a Navel Orange: Navels taste better off the tree BUT Navels go sour & ‘OFF’ overnight after juicing. Hence almost 100% of orange juice worldwide is Valencia!!! Don.