Washington Navel Orange Plant(Grafted)

Washington navel orange is also known as the Bahia for the Brazilian city from which it was imported into the United States in 1870. Although its origins are uncertain, it is believed to come from a bud sport found in a Selecta orange tree in the early 1800s. Upon its arrival at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. it was propagated and trees were sent to California and Florida. Although the Florida trees did not flourish, those sent to Eliza Tibbets in Riverside, California found an ideal climate for their culture. These exceptionally delicious, seedless, easy-peeling fruits quickly attracted the attention of citrus growers, and within a decade the “Washington” navel orange, as it came to be known, was the most widely planted variety in the area.

Planting And Care

Sunlight

• Sunlight of more than 6 hours a day is ideal for flowering and fruit development of the plant.

Soil

• The soil should be well drained, fertile and rich in organic content.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply 4 cup(approx. 200 ml) of water when the top soil (1-2 inch) in the pot feels dry to touch.
• Do not overwater the plant.
• As a rule of thumb, water the plants thoroughly in summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.
• Water should be applied preferably in the morning or evening.

Application of Fertilizer

• Before application of fertilizer loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so, it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.
• Apply organic fertilizer once a month during the main growing season (December-February)
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Re-potting

• When a plant outgrows in current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer.
• Do the re-potting late evening and keep the plant in shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable climatic condition.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and discard them away from the plants.
• For any insect attack or disease, you can use Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil or Citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Do not over-water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.