Ruqayyah Snyder
Oranges are small to medium-sized, thin-skinned, evergreen trees with glossy, dark green foliage. They are not too difficult to grow and can be grown at home in a garden or pot. In Australia, some of the most popular sweet orange varieties are Navel, Valencia, and Blood Oranges. To grow your own sweet oranges in Australia, you should plant your orange trees in light to medium-textured, well-drained soil in a sunny spot with protection from frost and strong winds. Feed your orange tree with plant fertiliser three times a year and water it regularly while it's young.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil | Light to medium textured, well-drained |
| Soil improvement | Gypsum, organic mulch (e.g. peat moss), Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser |
| Climate | Mid-temperate, subtropical, tropical, frost-free |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Regularly when young, 2-3 times a week when mature |
| Pot size | Minimum 600mm wide |
| Pot type | Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter |
| Pruning | Can be kept to a height and width of 4 metres |
| Fertiliser | Feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser three times a year, then weekly with Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food when fruiting |
| Fruit thinning | Remove small fruit in the first two years |
| Varieties | Navel, Valencia, Blood Orange, Seville, Washington Navel, Mediterranean/Parramatta, Maltese, Arnold, Cara Cara, Bergamot |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and fertiliser
When planting, dig the hole twice as wide as the root-ball and to the same depth. Remove the shrub from its container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any circled or tangled roots. Position the shrub in the hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant to create a well so that water will go where it's needed most. Water it well.
You can also grow oranges in pots, choosing a dwarf variety such as Dwarf Valencia or Dwarf Navel. Use a good-quality mix and move the tree to a larger container as it grows. Place the pot on pot feet if you live in a cold area so that it can easily be moved inside or to a more protected spot in winter.
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Sunlight and climate
Sunlight exposure and climate are crucial factors in growing sweet oranges in Australia. Oranges generally require full sun exposure and thrive in subtropical and tropical climates. They prefer a frost-free environment and do well in mid-temperate regions as well.
When selecting a planting site, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Oranges need ample sunlight to promote growth and fruit development. The Washington Navel and blood orange varieties are more tolerant of colder conditions, so they can be grown in regions with cooler climates.
In Australia, the climate varies across different regions, and this affects the suitability of growing sweet oranges. For example, Navel oranges, which are widely available in supermarkets, can be grown in various parts of the country. They are particularly popular in the southern growing regions, including the Murray Valley, the Riverina of NSW, and the Riverland of South Australia.
The timing of planting shrubs depends on the climate in your region. In cold climates, it is advisable to plant shrubs in the spring once the soil has warmed up. In warmer areas, planting can also be done in autumn.
The climate also influences the ripening and harvesting period for sweet oranges. Oranges typically ripen from October to April, and leaving the fruit on the tree during this period helps develop their full flavour and sweetness.
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Varieties of sweet orange
There are over 600 types of oranges grown around the world, with a range of different flavours and appearances. In Australia, the key citrus varieties are navels, Valencias, and mandarins.
Navels
Navel oranges are one of the most popular orange varieties in Australia, available during winter from June to October. They are sweet and juicy, with a rich orange colour, and are seedless and easy to peel. They are identifiable by their navel-like holes at the stem end and thin skin. Navels are grown in the Murray Valley, the Riverina of NSW, and the Riverland of South Australia.
Valencias
Valencias are one of the most common orange varieties in Australia and are available from November to February, during the summer months. They are sweet and juicy, making them ideal for juicing, and the juice does not sour after storage in the fridge. Valencias are mainly grown in the Riverina.
Mandarins
Mandarins are available from April to October and are grown mainly in the Queensland region and certain southern areas. They are sweet and tart, with a balanced flavour, and are ovular with a golden-orange colour and thin, smooth rind. Imperials are the most popular mandarin variety, known for their ease of peeling, low number of seeds, and excellent sweet flavour.
Other Varieties
Other varieties of sweet orange include the Washington Navel, Seville, Cara Cara, and blood oranges. The Washington Navel produces incredibly sweet fruit but is more susceptible to diseases, and its juice does not last as long as Valencias. Cara Cara is a type of navel orange that is gaining popularity for its delicate pink flesh and low acidity. Blood oranges are a hybrid of the pomelo and tangerine, known for their dark red flesh and vibrant floral notes.
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Planting and feeding
When planting, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, as oranges prefer frost-free, mid-temperate to tropical climates. If you're planting in a pot, choose a dwarf variety, such as Dwarf Valencia or Dwarf Navel, and a container at least 600mm wide. Use a good-quality potting mix and be prepared to move the pot to a protected spot in cold weather. Whether planting in the ground or a pot, dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from its container, gently tease the roots, and cut away any tangled or circled roots. Place the shrub in the hole, backfill, and gently firm down. Form a raised ring around the plant to create a well for water. Water it well.
To feed your orange tree, use a soil improver and plant fertiliser three times a year: in early spring, summer, and autumn. When the tree starts to produce fruit, usually in its third year, feed it weekly with citrus-specific liquid plant food. Leaving fruit on the tree until it's fully ripe will help develop its full flavour and sweetness.
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Harvesting and storing
When harvesting, use tasting as your guide. Ripe fruit will hold on the tree for months. Valencias, in particular, will keep on the tree for many months after ripening, and their juice does not sour after storage in the fridge.
If you have a blood orange tree, the fruit will be ready for harvesting in winter and early spring. These oranges develop their distinctive red pigmentation in hot, dry areas with cold nights.
Dwarf varieties of Navel oranges are a good option for those with limited space, as they grow to approximately 1.5m and are perfect for growing in pots.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the most popular sweet orange varieties to grow in Australia are Navel, Valencia, and Blood Oranges. Navel oranges are sweet, juicy, and commonly found in supermarkets. Valencia oranges are the best option for most places in Australia, as they are fast-growing, hardy, and capable of holding fruits for months after they ripen. Blood oranges are a bold favourite due to their red patterned fruit and sweet-tangy flavour. They are easy to care for and grow vigorously.
Sweet orange trees thrive in light to medium-textured, well-drained soil. If the soil quality is poor, it can be improved by adding organic mulch such as peat moss or Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Ensure the soil is well-drained by digging a hole and pouring a bucket of water into it; if the water takes more than 30 minutes to disappear, the soil needs to be worked on.
Sweet orange trees prefer frost-free climates, so mid-temperate, subtropical, and tropical locations are ideal. They require full sun exposure and protection from strong winds and frost. Regular watering is essential, especially when the trees are young. Feed your orange trees with fertiliser three times a year (spring, summer, and autumn) and, when they start bearing fruit, switch to weekly feeding with citrus liquid plant food.
