Orange

Oranges are one of the world’s best fruits, and they are a victim of their own greatness. The qualities that make them such a wonderful Florida fruit— its unique, delicioius flavor, great shelf life and handling durability, winter fruiting, and excellent adaptability to our growing conditions— led to massive over-cultivation. Nature abhors a vacuum, including an ecological one, and the gigantic monoculture citrus plantations are now in deep decline under a relentless assault by pests and diseases. In particular, the disease known as citrus greening or HLB has been unstoppable so far. After millions of dollars of research, some progress has been made, but even a rip-roaring success will only lead to the next scourge. Industrial agriculture has been a disaster for citrus in Florida.

Our property came with more than a dozen citrus trees. Most have lost viability and been removed, but we still have five. Our two lemon trees are good producers of market quality fruit. Our three orange trees, the two Red Navels NW-F-3, NW-F-4, and the Temple SW-I-1, do produce occasional small quantities of marketable fruit.