Technical sheet of the Navel Chocolate Orange variety
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Fruit flesh color: Orange, juicy and sweet.
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Skin color: Green almost brown.
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Size and shape: Medium in size (about 6 to 10 cm in diameter), round to oval in shape with a small circular opening at the end of the petiole (navel or navel).
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Tree size: Reaches an adult height of 2 to 3 meters.
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Fruit Ripening: Fruits begin to ripen from November to January, or even as late as January, depending on weather conditions.
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Fruit taste: Slightly chocolatey, sweet and subtle.
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Earliness of the variety: Early maturity.
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Fruiting period: Winter (November to January).
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Disease resistance and storage: The tree is generally hardy, but requires protection from severe frosts. Oranges can be stored like regular oranges.
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Variety Yield: Navel orange trees produce fruit approximately 2 to 3 years after planting, with a full harvest beginning in the fourth year.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes.
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Commercial Use: Ideal for snacks, fresh juices, salads, parfaits, meat sauces and as a topping for baked dishes.
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Comments: The variety was accidentally discovered in Spain about 10 years ago.
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Recommended rootstock: Fa5 is recommended for its robustness and its adaptation to French climatic conditions.
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Limestone resistance: The variety is relatively tolerant to limestone, especially when grafted onto FA5.
Agrumiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of citrus plants, offers you the Chocolate Navel Orange, an innovative and captivating variety with its distinctive brownish hue and subtle chocolate aroma. Buying Chocolate Navel Orange plants means choosing a premium variety that meets the growing demand for original, high-quality products.
Fruit characteristics
Visual appearance and size
Navel Chocolate oranges are medium-sized, measuring between 6 and 10 cm in diameter. Their thick, bright orange skin often evolves into a chocolate-brown hue, giving them a unique appearance. This particular pigmentation adds a sought-after aesthetic value, particularly in the high-end market.
Exceptional taste quality
The distinctive taste of Navel Chocolates lies in their perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, enhanced by a slight chocolatey note. With an average sugar content of 12 Brix, these fruits offer a juicy, tender, seedless pulp that is a light orange. This flavor profile makes them irresistible to citrus lovers and consumers seeking unique flavors.
Conservation and use
Storage: Fruits retain their quality for 1 to 2 weeks in a fruit store, and probably longer under controlled conditions.
Use: Navel Chocolates are suitable for several uses:
- Eat fresh, as a snack or dessert.
- Preparation of sweet and aromatic juices.
- Various culinary recipes, such as salads, sauces or marmalades.
Plant characteristics
Tree shape and growth
The Chocolate Navel Orange tree, reaching 4 to 6 meters in height at maturity, offers an elegant and compact habit. Its evergreen, deep green, glossy leaves accentuate its ornamental appeal while ensuring stable production.
Optimal growing conditions
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Exposure: Full light is essential for optimal fruiting.
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Soil: This tree requires well-drained soil to avoid diseases related to excess water.
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Limestone resistance: Grafted onto the FA5 rootstock, it adapts perfectly to limestone soils, a major asset for French agricultural regions.
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Hardiness: Resistant to -5°C, or even -8°C with suitable protection.
Fructification
Fruits ripen between November and January, meeting the winter demand for fresh fruit. The tree reaches full production capacity after 4 years, with yields increasing over the years.
Disease and pest management
Susceptibility to diseases
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Citrus Tristeza: Special vigilance is necessary to prevent this virus.
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Gummosis and fungal diseases: Prevent by controlled irrigation and good drainage.
Common parasites
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Orange worm: Management by biological or conventional treatments.
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Aphids and mealybugs: Easily controlled with suitable solutions.
Economic and commercial advantages
A premium product for a niche market
The unique coloring and chocolatey aroma of Navel Chocolate oranges make them a premium variety, ideal for high-end retailers and markets. Purchasing Navel Chocolate orange plants allows growers to meet the needs of a demanding clientele seeking rare and distinctive products.
Performance and productivity
Although exact yield data remains limited, navel orange trees typically produce up to 50 tons per hectare under optimal conditions. Their juice represents an average of 50 to 55% of the total fruit weight, which is an asset for the production of juice and other processed products.
Versatility of use
The fruits of this variety are perfectly suited to a variety of uses:
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Juices and Smoothies: Ideal for naturally sweetened drinks.
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Jams and marmalades: Their distinctive aroma enriches preparations.
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Culinary recipes: Pulp segments add a special touch to many dishes.
Why choose Agrumiverse?
As a specialist citrus plant wholesaler, Agrumiverse is committed to providing premium quality Chocolate Navel Orange plants. Our strengths:
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Agricultural expertise: Personalized advice to optimize your yields.
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Economic advantages: Competitive prices and bulk purchasing to maximize your profitability.
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Complete support: From plant selection to maintenance, we guide you every step of the way.
Conclusion
The Chocolate Navel Orange is a must-have variety for citrus growers looking to stand out with an innovative, premium product. Its unique color, inimitable taste, and versatility make it a strategic option for diversifying your crops. Contact Agrumiverse, a specialist citrus plant wholesaler, to purchase your Chocolate Navel Orange plants and benefit from personalized support to ensure the success of your production.
