Citrus ‘Valencia Orange’ – Sweet, Juicy, and Perfect for Fresh Juice
Bring the taste of the tropics into your Toowoomba garden with Citrus ‘Valencia Orange’, one of the most popular and productive orange varieties for home growers in Australia. Famous as the world’s leading juicing orange, ‘Valencia’ produces large crops of medium-to-large fruit with a sweet, refreshing flavour and excellent juice content. Unlike other citrus, ‘Valencia’ can be left on the tree for months without losing quality, giving you an extended picking season from late summer right through autumn.
Key Features
Extended Harvest – Produces fruit from late summer to winter, with oranges holding well on the tree for weeks.
Excellent Juicing Variety – Sweet, tangy flavour with high juice content – ideal for freshly squeezed orange juice.
Hardy and Reliable – Performs well in a range of soils and climates, including Toowoomba’s cooler winters and warm summers.
Compact Growth – Typically grows 3-4m tall (Full Size or 2m Dwarf) in the ground, but can be pruned to shape or kept smaller in large pots.
Bee and Bird Friendly – Produces clusters of fragrant white blossoms in spring, attracting pollinators to your garden.
Growing Citrus ‘Valencia Orange’ in Toowoomba
Citrus ‘Valencia Orange’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Toowoomba’s sunny days and crisp nights provide excellent conditions for sweet, juicy oranges. Plant in a sheltered spot, away from strong winds and frost pockets. Regular watering during hot summers and a citrus-specific fertiliser in spring and late summer will encourage strong growth and heavy crops.
For smaller spaces, ‘Valencia’ can be successfully grown in large pots on patios or balconies. Just ensure the container has good drainage and water more frequently during dry spells.
Care Tips
Watering: Deeply and regularly during the fruiting season, especially in dry periods.
Fertiliser: Use a complete citrus food in spring, mid-summer, and autumn.
Pruning: Light pruning after harvest to maintain shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.
Mulching: Apply an organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Why Choose Citrus ‘Valencia Orange’?
If you’re looking for an orange tree that delivers both quantity and quality, ‘Valencia’ is the perfect choice. Known as the “juicing king,” this variety is favoured by commercial orchards and home gardeners alike for its heavy crops and reliable performance. With its long harvest period, delicious fruit, and decorative evergreen foliage, it’s an essential addition to any Toowoomba garden.