Cara Cara Navel Orange Citrus Tree
A natural mutation of Navel Orange, Cara Cara Navel Orange was found in an Orange orchard in Venezuela. Similar to Washington Navel in growth habit, Cara Cara fruit is unique for its sweet, reddish pink flesh and occasionally variegated foliage.
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Latin Name: Citrus sinensis
Site and Soil: In spring, summer and fall, keep your potted Citrus in a location with 1/2 day to full sun. In the winter, place your plant in a well-lit room. Potting soil should be coarse, acidic, and well-drained.
Rootstock Description: Flying Dragon is a hardy and very dwarfing rootstock for Citrus that induces very early flowering and fruit procuction. Trees grown on Flying Dragon will rarely exceed 5 ft. in height and will often produce fruit the year they are planted. *Our Cara Cara trees in 12″ tree pots are grafted onto C-35, a very cold hardy rootstock but one that will grow into a slightly larger tree than those grafted onto Flying Dragon.*
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile. You can help it set fruit by taking a small brush and moving pollen from flower to flower.
Hardiness: Hardy to around 25° F. We recommend bringing into a well-lit and protected location in late fall before hard frosts occur.
Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 3-5 ft.
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Orange
Fruit Flesh: Reddish-pink
Bloom Time: Winter and spring
Ripening Time: Winter to early spring.
Yield: 20+ fruit
Care: Fertilize with citrus mix 3-4 times per year with typical applications in late winter (Jan-Feb), late spring (May-June) and early fall (Sept-Oct).
Pests & Diseases: While outside, Citrus plants will likely not be bothered by insect pests. Be on the lookout for slugs. Indoors, Citrus can have mites and/or aphids. Watch carefully for any problems and treat with an insecticidal soap or wash them off. We have not seen any disease problems on our Citrus plants.
USDA Zone: 9