Citrus sinensis 'Valencia' – Valencia Orange

Valencia ripens late, from late spring into summer, where navels are a winter orange. The fruit is thinner skinned, juicier and slightly more acidic, which is why it dominates the juicing trade. It carries a few seeds, and the juice keeps its flavour longer after squeezing than navel juice does.

Navel oranges contain a compound called limonin that develops a bitter taste in the juice within hours of squeezing. Valencia has very little of it, so the juice holds its flavour and can be squeezed ahead. This single difference is why Valencia became the commercial juicing orange worldwide.

Yes. A single tree crops well on its own without another orange planted nearby, so there is no need to buy a pollinator.

It reaches 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide left unpruned, larger than most navel oranges. Annual growth is around 30 to 60 centimetres. Pruning after harvest holds it to a comfortable picking height, and trees in large containers stay well under those figures.

From late spring into summer, several months later than winter oranges, which is what gives it its place in the garden. Flowers open in spring and the fruit takes close to a full year to mature, so a tree often carries two crops at different stages at the same time.

Valencia holds exceptionally well, often for several months after it first reaches eating quality, so you can pick over a long window instead of harvesting everything at once. Fruit left through warm weather can regreen slightly in the rind while staying sweet inside, which is harmless.

Yes, in a large free draining container of at least 60 centimetres, using a quality citrus mix. Potted trees stay well below their in ground size, need watering more often and a liquid feed through the growing season, and should never be left standing in a saucer of water.

Full sun, all day if possible, in a spot sheltered from strong wind. Soil should be a free draining loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, improved with compost before planting. Avoid heavy clay and anywhere water sits on the surface after rain.

Allow 4 metres between trees for a feature planting so each canopy develops fully, or 3 to 4 metres for a uniform avenue or orchard row. Closer spacing works if you commit to annual pruning, but crowded citrus fruit less well and hold more humidity inside the canopy.

Water deeply through flowering and fruit development, then reduce in winter. Mulch the root zone and keep mulch clear of the trunk. Feed with citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Prune lightly after harvest and remove any growth from below the graft union.