Orange varieties, types, and characteristics
Choosing the right orange variety is one of the most essential decisions an orange grower can make, as it will impact the production (yield), management practices, and annual work in the field for the years to come—often for several decades (40-50 years). While numerous orange varieties exist, only a few of them have gained widespread popularity for commercial purposes. An orange grower must carefully evaluate not only the commercial traits and quality of the fruit the variety will produce but also important agronomic and physiological characteristics that determine the variety’s adaptability and resilience to the specific region and growing conditions.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Orange Variety
- Intended End-Use and Market Demand: Determining the primary use of the oranges will help narrow down the options. Some varieties are best suited for juice production, while others are preferred for fresh fruit consumption due to their flavor, texture, or ease of peeling.
- Adaptability, Tolerance, and Resistance to Stresses (biotic or abiotic): Understanding how well a variety adapts to local climate conditions is essential. Growers should prefer varieties with resistance to diseases and pests that are common in the region and environmental stresses (e.g., heat, cold, drought, soil salinity).
- Agronomic Practices and Equipment Requirements: The selected variety should align with available harvesting methods (manual or mechanical) and labor availability during peak seasons (e.g. during harvest). Additionally, the variety should be suitable to be cultivated under organic conditions (if that is the choice of the grower) and under irrigation or rainfed conditions.
Most Popular Orange Varieties and their Characteristics
Among the vast number of orange varieties (hundreds), those used commercially belong mainly to the Sweet Orange species (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck). These can be further classified into four or five main groups based on their origin, morphology, and taste:
- the Common (sweet) oranges (also known as blond or white oranges),
- the Valencia oranges (sometimes they are classified in the Common oranges),
- the Navel oranges,
- the Blood or Pigmented oranges and
- the Acidless oranges
"Valencia" oranges
A big part of the world’s orange juice production comes from Valencia oranges. The main reason behind their success as a variety for juice production is the excellent quality of the produced juice, that has bright orange color, top taste, and high sugar content. Valencia oranges thrive in multiple regions with their wide adaptability to various climates. They produce moderately large, slightly elongated fruits that may be seedless or contain up to six seeds.
This variety requires substantial heat to mature fully, making it suitable primarily for warm climates. Valencia oranges are a late-season variety, often taking up to 14–18 months from flowering to fruit maturity, especially in cooler climates. Due to their alternate bearing, Valencia trees may have fluctuations in annual production. In areas like Florida, Texas, and parts of California and Arizona, Valencias typically mature in late winter or early spring and the fruits can remain on the tree for months, allowing more extended harvest periods. In areas with less warm weather, ripening is delayed and overlaps with flowering, sometimes for several months. Consequently, in many areas, the trees usually bear two crops, the old (oranges that are mature or close to maturity) and the new, which are in the process of flowering or fruit set. Valencia ripens in summer in areas with mild winters and moderately low overall heat in the growing season. It is one of the most important varieties in Florida and California and represents almost half of the US orange production.
Moreover, Valencia is one of the most important varieties in South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Israel, Algeria, Morocco, and Brazil. Several Valencia orange cultivars like the Delta, Campbell, Olinda, and Midnight exist.
"Navel" Oranges
The navel oranges are consumed mainly as fresh fruit due to the easily removed peel and the lack of seeds. Secondarily, navel oranges are used as an additive to juices (to decrease the limonin content). They are normally unsuitable for juicing because their juice gets bitter during preservation, but it has a pleasant taste if consumed directly after extraction. They are typically larger than Valencia oranges, measuring about 3–3.5 inches (7.6–8.9 cm) in diameter, and mature faster (depending on the region).
Unlike Valencia, navel oranges are sensitive to high temperatures, especially if water stress accompanies the heat. The Navel orange trees require more precise management to protect the yield. If a grower from a tropical region wants to cultivate navel oranges, he/she is advised to select a field above 3,300 ft (1,000 m) altitude.
The most important of the Navel orange varieties is the Washington Navel, also known as Navel Washington, Bahia, or Merlin. Other known Navel types are the Newhall, Fukumoto, and Navelina (all 3 are early clones), the Atwood, Bahianinha, Don Shaw, Roberston, Fisher, and Chet Hoel. Some late-maturing clones of navel oranges are: the Lane Late, Barnfield, Cara Cara (or Red Navel), Chislett, Benny, and Powell. In the US, the Washington navel oranges ripen from fall into winter, and the fruit typically stays on the tree for 3 to 4 months.
Cold-hardy orange varieties – How to select an orange variety for cold climates
Oranges are generally suited for USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. In regions with occasional frost, growers must select varieties that can tolerate colder temperatures. Both sweet and navel oranges can survive temperatures as low as 20 °F (-6.6 °C) with minimal damage. In frost-prone areas, early-ripening varieties are preferable to avoid potential cold damage. Varieties like Hamlin, Marrs, and Fukumoto navel are ideal choices for such conditions.
Choosing a cold-tolerant rootstock, such as Trifoliate or Sour Orange, can enhance the overall resilience of the grafted orange tree, improving its ability to withstand cold weather. However, ensuring compatibility between the rootstock and scion variety is essential for the grafted tree’s health and productivity.
Conclusion
Selecting the right orange variety involves careful evaluation of market goals, environmental conditions, and agronomic practices. With many orange types and cultivars available, making an informed decision will set the foundation for successful and sustainable orange production. Whether for juice or fresh consumption, for warm or cool climates, there is an ideal orange variety for each unique set of growing conditions.
References
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1222.pdf
https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_fruits_sweetorange.html
http://www.usa-journals.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Etebu_Vol22.pdf
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/orange.html#Yield
https://www.geocities.ws/phip2007proceedings/PHIP2007/37-143-150.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B012227055X002406
Seminara, S., Bennici, S., Di Guardo, M., Caruso, M., Gentile, A., La Malfa, S., & Distefano, G. (2023). Sweet Orange: Evolution, Characterization, Varieties, and Breeding Perspectives. Agriculture, 13(2), 264. (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/2/264)
4.) How to grow Orange Trees from seed
5.) How to grow an Orange Tree from cuttings
6.) Growing Orange Trees for Profit
7.) Orange Tree Climate & Soil Requirements
8.) Choosing Orange Tree variety
9.) Orange Tree Propagation & Pollination
11.) Orange Tree Fertilizer Requirements
12.) Orange Tree Water Requirements
14.) Orange Tree Harvest & Yields
