Orange Citrus x sinensis

Sweet orange is an evergreen tree in the Rutaceae family that grows up to 30 feet tall in tropical, sub-tropical climates and its fruit is what you find in grocery stores.  It is a hybrid resulting from a cross between a mandarin orange and a pomelo although when this was done is not fully known. However, its name means "from China" and likely refers to where it was originally grown and used. It has glossy green leaves and attractive orange edible fruits.  It is not cold hardy so in cooler zones it can be grown in a container that can be overwintered indoors.  Its flower is the state flower of Florida.

The sweet orange requires direct sunlight.  It is frost tender and does best when planted in a place where it can receive early morning sunlight during the growing season, so new, tender branches don't freeze. It prefers a pH of 5 - 6 but will tolerate a neutral or alkaline range as well.  It is drought tolerant but flourishes when kept moist. Do not overwater. 

Pruning sweet orange trees is different than other deciduous fruit trees.  Flowering and fruiting on sweet orange trees occurs on new wood and you don't want to cut flowers that are your future fruits.  It is recommended that all pruning occur after the fruit has ripened. 

Plant outside for year-round enjoyment in the proper hardiness zone or put in a planter for movement inside when the weather turns cold. Sweet orange dislikes root disturbance so it should be placed in its permanent location outside when young. If growing them in pots, great care must be taken when moving them to larger containers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant can cause contact dermatitis in some people.  There are many insects which could affect sweet orange.  They include citrus rust mite, citrus snow scale, purple scale, Florida red scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, and fruit flies. Diseases include greasy spot, stem-end rot, sweet orange scab, citrus canker, and citrus greening disease.