The Trovita orange is a popular sweet citrus variety for home growers due to its appealing fruit, manageable care, and adaptability to various conditions, including warmer climates and container cultivation.
Understanding the Trovita Orange
The Trovita orange (Citrus sinensis ‘Trovita’) is a cultivar with a distinctive history. It originated as a seedling from a fallen fruit, believed to be a Washington Navel orange, at the Citrus Research Center in Riverside, California, in 1916. The variety was selected, described, and named by H.B. Frost in 1928, with its name meaning “found” in Esperanto, and was released in 1935.
The fruit is typically medium-small, juicy, and has a pleasant, sweet flavor milder than a Washington Navel orange. Trovita oranges have a thin rind, making them easy to peel, and generally contain few seeds. They are known for their early ripening season, maturing from December to February in Riverside, California, and can maintain their flavor on the tree for an extended period, sometimes into July in citrus-growing regions. The trees are vigorous, upright-growing, and produce heavy crops, especially in desert heat.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Trovita Orange Trees
These trees thrive in full sun, ideally receiving 8 to 12 hours of direct sunlight daily. They are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11 when planted outdoors, though some sources suggest they can be grown in zone 8 with protection. In colder climates (zones 4-7), Trovita oranges can be successfully grown in containers and moved indoors during winter.
Trovita orange trees prefer deep, evenly moist, and well-draining soil. A sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal, as these plants are susceptible to root rot in heavy, saturated soils. When planting, ensure the tree’s root crown is slightly above the soil level to prevent rotting. If planting in a container, select a pot with adequate drainage holes and use a lightweight, freely draining potting mix specifically formulated for citrus.
Caring for Your Trovita Orange Tree
Watering should be deep and less frequent rather than shallow and often, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. Newly planted trees may need watering two to three times per week until established, while mature trees generally require watering every one to two weeks, adjusting based on weather conditions. Checking the soil moisture by inserting a finger about 2 inches deep can help determine watering needs; if it feels dry, it is time to water.
Fertilization is important for fruit production, and citrus-specific fertilizers are recommended. During warmer spring and summer months, a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 8-8-8 or 12-12-12) can be applied every six weeks, or three times a year in early spring, mid-summer, and late fall. For potted trees, nutrients wash out faster, so a slow-release granular fertilizer applied three to four times a year with weaker concentrations is suitable. Pruning is generally best done in early spring or early fall when there is no risk of frost. This practice helps maintain vigor, health, and an open canopy, improving air circulation and sunlight penetration while removing dead or diseased branches.
Harvesting and Enjoying Trovita Oranges
While color is an indicator, it is not always the sole determinant of ripeness; tasting one or two fruits before a full harvest is the most reliable method.
To harvest, gently twist the ripe fruit until the stem detaches from the tree, or use pruning shears to snip the fruit with a small portion of the stem attached, especially if the rind is thin. Unlike some fruits, oranges do not continue to ripen once picked, so they should be harvested when fully mature. For optimal flavor and longevity, store harvested Trovita oranges in the refrigerator, ideally at around 41°F (5°C). They can be enjoyed fresh, juiced, or incorporated into various culinary dishes.