Facts About Growing Orange Trees. Other popular cultivars include the Hamlin, Ambersweet and Pineapple. They have fine, rounded teeth on the edges. Orange trees can be heavily affected by insects (mainly aphids) and also by fungal, bacterial and virus diseases. Oranges are one of the world's most popular fruits whether eaten whole or squeezed for their juice. Firmly established in Brazil and the United States, which provide two thirds of the world's production, the sweet orange is grown in backyards across the western and southern states as well as commercially in Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. 9. Early Spanish explorers planted the first orange trees in Florida the mid-1500s. While citrus prefer a loam or sandy loam soil, an orange tree will also grow in well-draining clay soils. Florida is second in global orange juice production. Care & Maintenance of an Orange Tree. As the roots grow into the surrounding soil, watering may be reduced to every seven to 14 days during the dry season. Oranges are perfect antioxidants, which aid in decreasing burns due to oxidation. She enjoys writing about health care topics, in particular obstetrics, pediatrics and nutrition. University of California Cooperative Extension - County of San Diego: Citrus for the Home Garden, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Citrus, Harvest to Table: Orange Types: Sweet, Bitter, Mandarin, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Selecting Fruit, Nut and Berry Crops for Home Gardens in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Some well-cared orange trees can live up to 100 years or more. Name – Citrus reticulata Family – Rutaceae (Rue family) Type – fruit tree. Orange tree is a citrus evergreen tree with a productive lifespan of 50-60 years. Orange trees and other citrus fruits grow well in a subtropical climate. For container mandarins, water until the water runs through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Christopher Columbus introduced orange trees to the New World. Mandarin Orange Tree Care. Orange blossoms exist only to produce the seeds that will become the next generation of trees. It takes between five and 18 months for an orange to ripen on the tree. De Jauregui authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, available as an ebook. However, allowing the branches to "skirt" or hang nearly to the ground protects the tender bark from the sun and reduces weed growth under the tree. Trees typically begin producing fruit after three years. The world's leading orange grower is Brazil, followed by the United States, China, Spain and Mexico. Trees typically begin producing fruit after three years. In Florida, oranges are a $9-billion-a-year industry, according to the Florida Department of Citrus. Youthful Tree. Removing fallen fruit and leaves from under the tree reduces the incidence of fungi and other pests that overwinter in the debris. She received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and is now studying for a Master of Science in medicine degree to become a physician's assistant. Newly planted orange trees require watering every three to seven days to keep the root ball moist, but not water-logged. Aphids (mainly Aphis spiraecola) are small flies that are fed with the underside of leaves, often resulting in the curl of citrus leaves.This by itself is not a great damage, because the yield of a citrus tree is generally not greatly affected by the curling of leaves. Did you know that orange tree is an evergreen tree? Some gardeners prefer that the lower branches be removed for easier access to the fruit and cleaning under the tree. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues. So it’s critical that they bloom when conditions favor favorable fruit and seed formation. Exactly when varies from year to year, depending on the local weather conditions. Monitoring the tree for pests such as aphids, orangeworms, scales, thripes and whiteflies is required. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9a to 11, oranges are grown across the West, Southwest and in Florida. It takes between five and 18 months for an orange to ripen on the tree. Generally, fertilizing monthly in the spring and summer with a tablespoon of ammonium sulfate and thoroughly watering it in is sufficient for a young tree. Following a few basic steps when taking care of an orange tree will keep your tree healthy and possibly increase fruit production. Orange trees originated in China and were found in Europe before eventually being grown in North America in the late 1400s. Oranges, along with other citrus fruits, have been produced commercially in Florida since the mid-1800s. Orange trees can produce more than 60,000 sweet-smelling blossoms, but only about 1 percent of a tree's blossoms go on to produce fruit, according to Paramount Citrus. Keep in mind, the mandarin will tolerate drought over inundation. Orange trees generally only need pruning to shape the tree, remove dead or crowded branches and eliminate suckers and watersprouts.