Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree (Citrus x sinensis)

Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree
Experience a fruit bowl explosion of taste with each bite of the Cara Cara Navel Orange (Citrus x sinensis 'Cara Cara'). Unlike any other citrus fruit, this navel orange is less acidic and sweeter than other varieties, with a unique flavor combination that includes undertones of sweet cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and blackberry. As you cut into this succulent fruit, another delightful surprise awaits you – its reddish-pink flesh instead of the traditional orange color!

Key Features:

• Sweet, colorful fruit
• Seedless navel oranges
• Easy to grow in containers

The 'x' in Cara Cara Navel Orange's scientific name indicates it's a cross between two orange varieties, combining the best qualities of both into one delicious package. You’ll want more than one tree because after your first bite, you’ll wish you had more!

Dooryard Fruit: Unlike some oranges that are best left to commercial growers, Cara Cara Navel Orange trees are perfect for backyard gardeners. These trees don't require intensive maintenance but still produce prolific and exceptionally tasty fruit.

Intoxicating Orange Blossoms: In early spring, the Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree blooms with dazzling white flowers that not only look stunning but also release a nostalgic orange blossom fragrance. Plant them near your veranda, deck, or patio to enjoy this delightful scent. Butterflies will also flock to your yard, attracted by the sugary nectar inside the blooms.

Striking Landscape Tree: While you’ll love the luscious fruits, the Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree also adds significant landscape value. It grows into a beautifully rounded to oval shape, reaching a mature height of up to 20 feet and a maximum width of 12 feet. If you have space for only one tree, it makes a stunning specimen plant. Plant multiple trees for an easy-care orchard that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Occasionally, you may see variegated leaves or even striped peels on some oranges!

Health Benefits: Packed with Vitamins C and A, Cara Cara Navel Oranges are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that gives the flesh its red color. Antioxidants may help boost the immune system and improve cell function, making these oranges a part of your heart-healthy diet. Grow them yourself for the freshest fruit possible, right outside your door.

A Must-Have for Your Favorite Recipes: Whether you’re a gourmet chef or a home cook, growing your own Cara Cara Navel Oranges in your edible garden offers endless possibilities:

• Fruit salads: Cara Cara sections look similar to miniature Ruby Red Grapefruit but are sweet instead of sour.
• Green salads: Add sections to your favorite greens for a sweet, tangy twist.
• Salad dressings: Juice a Cara Cara Orange and whisk it with balsamic vinegar for a citrusy vinaigrette. Add minced gingerroot for extra zing.
• Juice: Enjoy fresh orange juice harvested just before breakfast! Simply use a wooden citrus reamer to release the juice.
• Fresh snacking: Enjoy the sweet, vibrant oranges right off the tree, no cooking required!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Choose a location where your tree is going to get plenty of sunlight, 6 to 8 hours per day is best. They can tolerate some shade, but thrive in full sun. Potted plants do enjoy a daily misting for humidity but placing a tray with rocks filled with water under the plant will feed humidity to the tree as the water evaporates.

Immediately after planting, give your tree a deep watering until it flows from the holes in the bottom of the pot. Place your tree in an area of your home, preferably a South-facing window, where it is going to get plenty of sunlight.

2. Watering: After watering (usually once or twice weekly), allow the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Mulching can help retain the soil moisture and also combat competing grasses/weeds.

For potted Cara Cara Oranges, stick your index finger into the soil down to about 2 inches. If there is moisture present, hold off on watering until it feels drier at that depth. When you do water, stop once you see it escaping the drainage holes at the base of the pot.

3. Fertilizing: Feed your Cara Cara Orange Tree during the warmer spring and summer seasons with a citrus-specific fertilizer,  generally once every six weeks. During the fall and winter season, ease back to fertilizing once every 2 to 3 months. Make sure to follow the application instructions written on the fertilizer bag.

4. Pruning: After the tree fruits, remove any dead wood and ventilate the center of the tree. Remove suckers as they form/grow from the base as they will steal away nutrients from the primary trunk of the tree. Pruning can be done at any time of the year for the potted Cara Cara Orange.

5. Pollination: Our Caras Caras are self-fertile, but for indoor trees, you can hand pollinate. Simply take a small, dry, fine-tipped paintbrush and stick it into the center of each Cara Cara bloom. Swirl it around and collect the pollen on the brush. Go to the next bloom and repeat the process until every bloom has been treated. Do this once daily and don’t wash the paintbrush until after the blooms have been pollinated.

Order your Cara Cara Navel Orange Tree today and elevate your garden with this sweet, vibrant, and nutritious citrus fruit!

Please email us at info@celgenbiotech.com  to confirm stock availability.