5 Best Citrus Trees To Grow In Florida
Fortunately, Florida citrus trees are very hardy and disease-resistant. Many varieties are resistant to diseases, and some are even hybrids of other species.
Some of the more popular orange varieties, including tangelos, have been around since the 1980s. A hybrid is a hybrid that is similar to a purebred citrus tree. A new variety can withstand more than one pest or disease and has a better yield than the original.
The most common disease that citrus trees suffer from is bacterial yellows. While these diseases are not common in Florida, farmers are getting ready to spray their orange and lemon trees with antibiotics to prevent yellowing and greening.
Those affected by this disease are most likely to die from a bacterial infection called citrus greening. In Florida, this disease is caused by bacteria. A treatment with antibiotics is necessary to prevent yellowing and greening in the fruit.
This pest can affect any type of citrus, including oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. This disease has no cure, but the latest research is on the cause of the problem.
It causes defoliation of the fruit and kills the trees. Because of this, if the citrus greening disease doesn’t spread, Florida growers are forced to use mitigation and nutrition management programs. In addition to putting in extra time and money, these solutions may not have lasting effects.
Researchers from the University of Florida have developed new rootstocks that are resistant to the disease. They have gotten better protection against Psyllids, but they aren’t 100% effective.
Some rootstocks have even been genetically modified to withstand the greening process, but the scientists say that it is still years away from a cure.
The state’s citrus department has struck a hopeful tone recently, claiming that a recent increase in the number of fruit boxes produced shows a rebound in the industry.
Oro Blanco Grapefruit Tree
The sweet taste of the Oro Blanco Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen’) will seduce even those who are not fond of traditional, acidic grapefruits.
An interesting hybrid between a sweet plummelo and a white-fleshed grapefruit, this is the product of a cross.
You can grow the citrus trees either in a pot or in the ground, and they are fairly easy to grow.
Are you considering adding a couple of Oro Blanco trees to your edible landscape? While they require a small amount of maintenance.
Among the many varieties of white grapefruit, this is perhaps the most popular type.
This is a large, yellow-fleshed fruit that is virtually seedless and features velvety, juicy flesh. Because the fruit has a thick, soft rind inherited from its Pummelo parent, the fruit can easily be peeled and segmented like many other fruits. If you’re looking for a wholesome breakfast or a really good meal during the day, try this wonderful recipe.
This is the best tasting tea I have ever had. Oro Blanco Grapefruit is an improved version of the original grapefruit hybrid. Adding Pummelo to the pollinating cross means that there won’t be a bitter, acidic aftertaste like there is with other varieties.
Dancy Tangerine
Whether you live in Zones 9 or 10 and can grow this beautiful, fruit bearing tree in the ground or you need it for an indoor-outdoor container, the Dancy Mandarin Tangerine (Citrus reticulata ‘Dancy’) can provide many years of enjoyment.
Known and loved as a heavy producer of zippy, sweet, easily peeled Mandarins, it grows in abundance in Hawaii.
Each year, this variety plays a crucial role in the Chinese New Year. Branches of orange fruit remain on the trees for months at a time.
It’s a joy to behold the display of orange spherical fruits hanging against the dark green leaves with their rough texture.
Bring your container into the house for Chinese New Year or host a Christmas breakfast near it!
Pour a little of the tangy juice into your Mimosa for a signature brunch cocktail. The commercially available fruit is used as a component of fresh and frozen juices. This is something you can easily grow at home.
Indio Mandarinquat Tree
Indio Mandarinquats are the magnificent mix of a Mandarin Orange and a Kumquat resulting from a cross between these two wonderful fruits.
This fruit seems to carry on its parents’ “grown-up” citrus taste – mostly sweet, but with a bit of sour to balance it, like a sour Mandarin.
Despite its peel, it can be eaten whole, peel and all. You can outwit it by picking the beautiful, bell shaped fruit, washing them off, and then tossing them into your mouth.
To ensure a perfect blend between the sweet skin and the zingy flesh, chew, chew, chew.
Like all Kumquats, the skin is where all the sweetness of the fruit is found. But, as mentioned above, the uniqueness of the Indio Mandarinquat lies in the size, as well as the Mandarin flavor.
Please take heed of this warning! There may be a danger that you may become addicted to the wonderful sweet/tart flavor that is part of the pleasure of eating this classic fruit.
Cara Cara Sweet Orange Tree
I do not mean to get all existential on you here, but does Orange Juice necessarily have to be orange? Wouldn’t it be possible for an orange to taste like a berry at times? Wouldn’t a grapefruit look like an orange sometimes?I believe that the answers to these questions are YES, YES, and YES! We are happy to introduce you to a very delicious fruit called Cara Cara Sweet Orange.
Cara Cara was first discovered relatively recently, in the 1970’s, but did not reach the American market until the 1980’s, and even then it was only available at specialty grocery stores.
We here at Nature Hills want to change the status quo, because it still hasn’t been widely known or widely grown. If we’re honest, we don’t think it is overselling it to say that Cara Cara has the potential to change your life forever!
It is a hybrid orange that looks like a normal orange on the outside but on the inside it is actually a hybrid navel orange.
However, when you cut into it, there is no forgetting the experience! The flesh of the grapefruit is pink – not the dark red of a blood orange, but the bright rose of a pink grapefruit. Both the flesh and the juice of the grapefruit are extremely juicy.
Owari Satsuma Mandarin Tree
An evergreen tree that produces excellent fruit, the Owari Satsuma Mandarin tree grows in the south of Japan.
As a specimen plant around your yard, or in a container by a patio, it would make a great addition to your yard.
I’m sure you have often fantasized about what it would be like to walk out into your yard and pick a fresh orange from your own tree.
I have always imagined that first rush of juice flooding over your tongue as it flows over the warm sun rays still lingering in the air.
The zesty, sugary-sweet flavor that it has can’t be compared to anything else.
You will never forget this experience, and the Owari Satsuma is the perfect Mandarin tree to bring that experience to your own private garden.
New Zealand Lemon Tree
There are some funny things that happen in life, and sometimes you have to laugh at them.
A New Zealand Lemon Tree (Citrus limon x reticulata ‘New Zealand Lemonade’) is an easy-to-grow tree that is easy to care for.
If you see one of these trees growing in a backyard in New Zealand, it’s hard to believe it’s not a native species.
Try to purchase one from your local nursery, however, and they’ll look at you like you’re an idiot because they think that you’re dumb.
(English translation from Kiwi – “Think you may be involved with something peculiar.”).
It has taken us much time and effort to find these little Citrus trees so that we are now able to offer them to you. Our search for a reputable supplier wasn’t an easy one, but we’re happy to declare that this awesome New Zealand goodness will be available in the U.S.
Despite all the trouble we went to, why did we end up taking such a long time? One taste and you will understand why we ended up taking so long. As a matter of fact, you will probably curse New Zealand for keeping its magnificent secret for so long!
