Growing orange trees is a wonderful way to enjoy this delicious fruit straight from your garden. Citrus trees can be grown almost anywhere, and they are known for producing large quantities of fruit each season. If you grow orange trees and wonder when they will start fruiting or why fruiting is delayed, keep reading to discover the answers.
When Do Orange Trees Start Bearing Fruit?
Orange trees typically begin producing fruit when they are between 3 and 6 years old. However, this varies depending on the type of orange, the climate, tree health, care level, and several other factors.
It is important to note that orange blossom is not strictly seasonal, but the tree usually flowers when the weather is warm and rainfall is regular. Flowers and fruits may appear on the tree at the same time.
As for mature trees, once an orange tree begins fruiting, it will continue producing fruit every year under good weather conditions and ideal soil. The exact fruiting time also depends on the variety, but citrus trees generally bloom in spring, and fruit development begins shortly after.
Reasons Why an Orange Tree Might Not Bear Fruit
If your orange tree has not fruited after 5 years, the issue may be one of the following:
- Flowering without fruiting: The flowers may not be pollinated, especially if the tree is in a protected area like a greenhouse.
- Lack of flowering: Check the tree’s location and care. Orange trees require full sunlight and regular fertilization.
- Temperature stress: Extremely low temperatures can kill flower buds or prevent them from opening. Ideal winter temperatures range from 13°C to 18°C, while summer temperatures should exceed 35°C.
- Insufficient watering: Lack of water can prevent fruiting. Trees should be watered weekly in the absence of rain. Drip irrigation or slow hand-watering is recommended to allow the soil to absorb as much water as possible.
Harvesting Orange Fruits
Generally, orange harvesting occurs from late September to early spring.
The time required for oranges to ripen depends on the variety:
- Some types need up to 15 months to fully mature.
- Others ripen within 8 to 12 months.
Signs That Oranges Are Ready for Harvest
- Color is not always a sign of ripeness: Some ripe oranges, such as Valencia, may still have patches of green. Navel oranges, however, should be fully orange.
- Ripe fruits often fall naturally from the tree.
- The best way to check ripeness is to taste one or two fruits before harvesting the entire tree; citrus fruits do not continue to ripen after being picked.
- The fruit should feel firm, smooth, and heavy for its size.
- A ripe orange will detach easily from the branch with gentle pulling. If it resists, it’s not yet ripe.
