Washington Navel Orange Tree

The Washington Navel Orange tree produces the most popular oranges in California. The fruits are very sweet, juicy, and delicious. They’re also seedless and easy to peel. Washington Navel Orange trees flower in the Spring and the fruits are ready to harvest in the late Fall and can hold some fruits well until the following Spring.

Size	#15 Semi-dwarf ( $159.00) 15 Gallon Standard - 3 - 4 Ft Tall & 3/4" Trunk ( $159.00) 24" Box / 25 Gallon Standard - 4 - 5 Ft Tall ( $550.00) 36" Box Tree - (Heavy Equipment Needed) ( $1,250.00) Clear

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General Plant Information

The Washington navel orange tree (Citrus sinensis) is a popular variety of sweet orange known for its seedless and easy-to-peel fruit. It’s one of the most widely grown and consumed orange varieties in the world.

Here are some key characteristics and information about the Washington navel orange tree:

Origin: The Washington navel orange originated in Brazil in the early 19th century. It was later introduced to the United States, specifically to Riverside, California, in 1870.
Fruit Characteristics:
- Seedless: One of the defining characteristics of the Washington navel orange is that it is almost entirely seedless, making it a favored choice for eating out of hand.
- Easy to Peel: The fruit is also known for being easy to peel, which is convenient for consumption.
Tree Characteristics:
- Growth Habit: The Washington navel orange tree is typically a medium-sized tree with a rounded canopy.
- Leaves: The leaves are glossy, oval-shaped, and dark green in color.
Climate and Growing Conditions:
- Climate: These trees thrive in subtropical to Mediterranean climates. They prefer mild, frost-free winters and warm, dry summers.
- Soil: They do well in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH level.
Cultivation:
- Propagation: They can be propagated from seeds, but for consistent fruit quality, it’s better to use grafting techniques.
- Spacing: Trees should be planted about 10 to 15 feet apart.
Harvesting:
- Washington navel oranges are typically harvested in the late fall through early spring months, depending on the specific climate and growing conditions.
Common Uses:
- These oranges are primarily eaten fresh, either on their own or in salads and desserts.
- They are also used for making juices and jams due to their sweet and flavorful juice.
Pests and Diseases:
- Like all citrus trees, the Washington navel orange tree can be susceptible to pests like aphids, scale insects, and citrus leafminer. Diseases like citrus canker and greening can also be problematic.
Popular Varieties:
- Besides the Washington navel, there are other types of navel oranges, such as the Cara Cara navel and the Late navel.
Commercial Importance:
- Washington navel oranges are a major commercial crop in many citrus-growing regions around the world, especially in California, USA.

Size and Spacing

Plant most citrus trees about 10 – 15 feet apart. Some varieties like Grapefruits and Oranges can grow larger.

Planning is the most important step when planting a tree. Plant your tree where it has enough space to grow to its full potential. Otherwise, your tree will grow into your surrounding trees. A tree that can grow taller with faster growth will overshadow nearby trees. You may need to move other trees to allow for the one that is thriving rather than cutting back one that naturally grows fast and tall.

Additional Information

Bloom Color : White
Sun Exposure : Full Sun
Watering : Regular
Plant Type: Evergreen
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-11
Pollination: Self-Fruitful / Self Pollinating

Planting Information

Step One:

Soil and Planting: Plant in soil that drains well. Dig a hole that is as deep as the tree’s roots and at least twice as wide.

Step Two:

Place the tree in the hole and backfill around the plant’s roots with a mixture of the native soil and high-quality planting mix that has washed sand and organic fertilizer.

Step Three:

Create a basin around the roots drip zone so that water collects. Water deeply until the roots and nearby soil is saturated and reaches field capacity.

Plant Care Information

Watering Basics

Irrigation Management Basics

Water Frequency – The frequency of water depends on seasonal weather conditions such as temperature, wind speed, and humidity, as well as factors like soil type and plant health. Sandy soils dry faster than clay soils.

In General

Water newly planted trees 2 times per week during the Spring and Fall seasons.
Increase the frequency when temperatures increase during the Summer
Reduce frequency once temperatures drop in Winters

Quantity of Water – Provide enough water to saturate the soil around the tree’s roots, then drain to field capacity. Clay soils hold more water than sandy soils.

In General

Give about 3 – 5 gallons of water for a 5-gallon size plant,
15 gallons of water for a #15-size container plant
25 gallons for a #25 depending on soil type.

Types Automatic Irrigation Systems – Help reduce operator error

Bubblers, sprinklers, and drips are the most common types of automatic irrigation systems. The duration a system is run depends on the emitter’s flow rate.

Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition

“NPK”
NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS & POTASSIUM

NPK are the 3 macronutrients most used by plants and are represented numerically on the label. Apply this fertilizer with a higher ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorus and Potassium in the Spring and Summer to promote plant growth. Use a fertilizer with a higher ratio of Phosphorus and Potassium to Nitrogen in the Winter or before plants flower to improve yields.

WHEN TO FERTILIZE

Use 8-4-4 every three months. Spring (March- April) through the fall

Use 3-12-12 Harvest Booster before plants flowering or during winter dormancy. (December – January)

HOW MUCH FERTILIZER

Apply 1 cup (150 grams) for every 1” diameter of the trunk or 15-gallon size Apply 2 cups (300 grams) for every 2” diameter of the trunk or 25-gallon size

HOW TO FERTILIZE

Instructions:

Winter Pruning and Summer Thinning

Prune your tree to allow light into its center for proper growth and fruit production.

Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excessive fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.

Harvesting and Pest Management

The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use of organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.

Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.

Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Citrus trees require at least 5 hours of direct sunlight for proper growth and fruit production
Afternoon Sunlight is more intense than the morning sun, therefore stress and damage can result if there is a lack of sufficient water.
Lack of water combined with highly reflective surfaces like cinderblock walls, patios, fencing, etc can exasperate the breakdown of chlorophyll resulting in yellowing leaves. This is due to the building up of heat, and loss of water causing stomates in the leaf to close.
Proper irrigation frequency and quantity, along with cooling of surrounding areas can assist in negating the effects of intense sunlight.
Additionally, creating shade can assist in preventing tree damage caused by excessive sunlight and heat build-up

Limited Guarantee and Returns

Our plants are guaranteed to be true-to-name as labeled and in good condition when received. “Local pickup” means the customer will pick up at our nursery. “Delivery” does NOT include planting, and customer must arrange to receive items once offloaded from our truck. Our driver may move items as a courtesy, but is not responsible for moving items further onto your property. Returns/Refunds are subject to a 10% restocking fee.

Compatibility

The two factors that determine if a deciduous fruit trees will grow well and produce fruit in a certain area are the Chill Hour Requirement and the Cold Hardiness. “Chill hours” are the amount of cold a deciduous fruit tree need to produce fruit. This is measured in the number of hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit a plant must experience during its winter dormancy. Paradise Nursery only grows Low Chill fruit trees that meet the chill requirements of all areas of the United States.

The second factor is Cold Hardiness. Cold Hardiness refers to the minimum temperature a plant can tolerate. The USDA’s Cold Hardiness Zones indicate the average minimum winter temperatures of areas. Based on the shipping zipcode, our website will only allow you to add plants to your cart that grow within your USDA Hardiness Zone, and tolerate your climate.

Pollination & Propagation

(Grafting/Cutting) Most of Paradise Nursery’s edible plants are self-fruitful. Self-pollinating trees do not require an additional tree to produce fruit. For your convenience, we have indicated which trees require a pollinator, and their associated pollinators. Only the sweet cherries, avocados, and some plums require a pollinator. All of our other propagated edible plants do not require a pollinator. All of our edible plants are either grown from cuttings, budded, or grafted. This way, we can ensure that our plants are high quality and fruit immediately. Plants will generally begin fruiting within a year of planting.

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