Trovita Orange Trees
Trovita oranges probably originated from Washington navel oranges, though the tree grows best in the milder California climate, thriving in desert conditions. Oranges from the trovita tree have few seeds and a sweet, juicy taste. Under the right conditions and with the right care, trovita orange trees may be grown by home gardeners.
Planting Trovita Oranges
Plant trovita orange trees in an area of the yard where they will receive direct sunlight; trovitas are not very shade-tolerant. The tree should be grown on a slight hill or incline, so water will naturally drain away from the root system (which cannot become waterlogged or overly moist). After planting the seed or sapling for the trovita orange, dig a trench approximately 5 feet deep in a 1-foot diameter around the trunk of the tree. Fill the trench with water regularly to keep the tree well-watered. When planting more than one trovita tree, plant each one at least 25 inches apart to give them ample growing room.
Cold Tolerance
Trovita orange trees grow optimally in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The trees will withstand short periods of higher or lower temperatures, but they are not particularly cold-hardy. If exposed to 28 degrees or below for seven consecutive days, it is possible the tree will never recover. Protect orange trees from cold weather using a tarp or heavy burlap bags, wrapping the trunk and branches. In areas where temperatures routinely fall below 28 degrees, trovita orange trees must be grown indoors or not at all.
- Plant trovita orange trees in an area of the yard where they will receive direct sunlight; trovitas are not very shade-tolerant.
- In areas where temperatures routinely fall below 28 degrees, trovita orange trees must be grown indoors or not at all.
Fruiting
The first flowers will appear on the trovita orange tree in winter. Over the winter and spring, flowers will mature to become edible fruits that eventually ripen. Most of the flowers on the tree will fall before they become fruit, but those that remain will provide a good crop of fruits on a healthy trovita tree. Fruit matures after four to five months, at which point it may be plucked right from the tree.
Tree Care
Trovita orange trees require a lot of moisture, but they are intolerant of salt. The trees are not suitable for coastal areas where salt content in the air and water may be high. Trovita trees are likely to produce smaller fruit when over-exposed to salt. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the soil in early winter to provide the tree with plenty of nutrients. Infrequent light pruning may be necessary at this time to thin the crown of the tree, allowing sunlight to get to all branches.
- The first flowers will appear on the trovita orange tree in winter.
- Most of the flowers on the tree will fall before they become fruit, but those that remain will provide a good crop of fruits on a healthy trovita tree.
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K. C. Morgan is a professional freelance writer, with articles and blog posts appearing on dozens of sites. During her years of writing professionally, K. C. has covered a wide range of topics. She has interviewed experts in several fields, including celebrated psychoanalyst Frances Cohen Praver, PhD; television personality and psychotherapist Dr. Robi Ludwig; and entrepreneur Todd Reed.
