If you live in a hot, humid subtropical area like Florida or California, you have several options for growing fruit trees. You're lucky to be able to support almost any type of plant, as long as you keep pests from taking over. You should consider growing an orange tree, as these are generally easy to maintain and produce some of the most delicious fruits. Orange is one of the most popular fruits worldwide due to its sweetness, juiciness and distinctive taste.
The orange tree can reach heights of up to 50 feet in its later years, so you should definitely take this into account when planning. Even if you are starting with a very small tree, plan ahead and place it in an open area, so it has enough room to expand. If you make the same mistake I did, you'll have to remodel your yard for some extreme measures, like taking out an entire shed. Just take the necessary precautions beforehand and avoid all this trouble.
The ideal soil for growing an orange tree would be fine sand with good drainage. The soil should be deep enough to allow extensive root development, as trees have been known to reach monstrous sizes and require a lot of support from below. If you have shallow, easily saturated soil, you should either do something to correct it or move to another type of tree. It is most likely that attempting to grow an orange tree under these conditions would be disastrous.
One of the more popular types of orange is the "Washington Navel". It probably came about as a mutation to other orangutans. It originated in Brazil around 1820, and was moved to Florida within fifteen years. It is characterized by being the largest of all available oranges. The peel or rind comes off easily. Usually it is not as juicy as other oranges, but it has a tangy taste. These are the most popular orange trees to grow commercially. If you decide on one of these trees, you probably won't have to water as much.
Another type of orange is "Trovia". It was invented in the early 1900s in a laboratory in California dedicated to experimenting with new types of citrus. It was publicly marketed around 1940. It doesn't have a very strong flavor, and has more seeds than Washington navel. However, it was designed to be more suited to harsh, hot and dry environments that would not be acceptable to other types of orange. Some of the more popular oranges in Florida right now have this type of mutation.
'Valencia' is one of the most juicy and delicious oranges. It is most popular in the states of South Africa and the southern United States. Until about 20 years ago, Valencia oranges made up an oddly large portion of the orange market due to their popularity. It is believed to have been invented in China. It contains almost no seeds. Another subgroup of Valencia oranges are "Road Red Valencia" oranges. These were made around 1960, so they are a bit more recent than other types. Various mutations occurred, and the trees that grew as their product were large and extremely hardy. The oranges themselves are more juicy and less acidic than standard Valencia oranges.
Orange trees are a great thing to be planted, because with a little effort in the planting process, you'll be able to enjoy hundreds of delicious fruits each year. Just choose which orange tastes best, and go with it! Before you purchase a tree, you should definitely consult with a local specialist to ensure that your desired type will thrive in your area. Usually this won't be a problem, but it's always good to be sure before spending the money and time.
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