The Washington Navel Orange Tree
The parent Washington Navel Orange from which all navel oranges in the world come from is still alive and producing fruit to this day. It is national historical marker #20 at UC Riverside. Washington navels are a popular commercial orange and also popular for growing in containers. While as not as cold tolerant as other varieties, they perform just fine without much hassle indoors for the winter.
Basic Information
| Common Name | Washington Navel Orange |
| Botanical Name | Citrus x sinensis ‘Washington’ |
| Location of Origin | Washington, District of Columbia, United States |
| USDA Zones | 9-11 |
| Can be grown in containers? | Yes |
Fruit Characteristics
| Fruit Size | Medium-large |
| Fruit Shape | Round, with navel |
| Fruit Flavor | Sweet |
| Rind Thickness | Medium |
| Rind Texture | Smooth |
| Rind Color | Orange |
| Flesh Color | Orange |
| Easy to Peel? | Farily easy |
| Seeds | Some |
Tree Details
| Has Thorns? | Yes, fairly small |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Size | Medium |
| Flower Color | Green |
| Flower Size | Medium-large |
| Mature Tree Height in Ground | 8′ – 12′ |
| Fruit Bearing Age | 3 – 4 years old |
| Alternate Bearing? | No |
| Heat to Sweeten Fruit? | Yes |
Growing Conditions
| Temperature | Hardy to 32 ºF |
| Self-fertile? | Yes |
| Sunlight Required | Full Sun |
| Bloom Season in Minnesota | Spring |
| Harvest Season in Minnesota | Winter |
| Average Spring/Summer Watering | Once every 1-2 weeks, more often when hot |
| Average Fall/Winter Watering | Once every 3 weeks |
Guides for Growing in Containers
Images
