Smith Red Valencia

[simon_grow]

Here's an update of my Smith Red Valencia/blood orange. I still can't figure out if it's a true Valencia type orange meaning that it lacks the enzymes that makes Valencia oranges a great juice orange. Navel type oranges contain an enzyme or perhaps just have more of the enzyme that breaks down the juice. I've had this tree for about 2 years now and it's on dwarfing rootstock so it's only grown about a foot in height since I got it. I've never tasted the fruit before but it's definitely larger in size than Moro. It's also supposed to be sweeter with good pigmentation if weather is cool enough.

The fruit is about the size of a naval orange and the rind is just starting to get a red blush with the recent cold we've had. They just turned fully orange/red about two weeks ago and I have no idea when they will be fully ripe and sweet?

[Millet]

The fruit is mature in late winter, it holds well on the tree into late spring, well past the season for conventional blood oranges. - Millet

[marklee]

Simon, the citrus they test for readiness are from the Riverside so I think our fruit farther down south take a little longer to ripen, we just don't get the heat. I'm sampling my Valentine pummelos, Daisy and Lee tangerines to find the right time to eat.

[brettay]

Normal Valencia's don't do well here in northern California, but this thread inspires me to try growing a Smith Red Valencia.  I wonder how it would do.  It would be a nice way to extend the blood orange season.

-Brett

[simon_grow]

Thanks for the information everyone! I've tasted several different types of blood oranges including Morro,  Torrocco, Sanguinelli and so far Morro is the best because it is the most consistent in terms of internal red color, flavor and sweetness. Unfortunately, most these varieties that I have tried are highly variable in terms of flavor sweetness and internal red color, except for Morro. Morro is variable in terms of flavor and sweetness but it is pretty consistent for internal red color. Morro is sour if picked too early and stale wine tasting if left on the tree too long.

I have not had the pleasure of tasting the Smith Red Valencia yet and I hope it compares favorably to the other blood oranges. These SRVs are very large, about the same size as a nice Cara Cara navel and the outside skin is getting a bit of red pigmentation.

The average Cara Cara I tested this year had 11% Brix, I hope the SRV has at least this much Brix if not higher. I only have 4 fruit on my small tree so I don't want to pick my fruit too early or too late. I'm really excited to finally try it and will definitely report back on flavor, color and sweetness. I'm really hoping it will be a good juicing orange because it's supposed to be a Valencia type orange.

Simon

[marklee]

Thanks for the information everyone! I've tasted several different types of blood oranges including Morro,  Torrocco, Sanguinelli and so far Morro is the best because it is the most consistent in terms of internal red color, flavor and sweetness. Unfortunately, most these varieties that I have tried are highly variable in terms of flavor sweetness and internal red color, except for Morro. Morro is variable in terms of flavor and sweetness but it is pretty consistent for internal red color. Morro is sour if picked too early and stale wine tasting if left on the tree too long.

I have not had the pleasure of tasting the Smith Red Valencia yet and I hope it compares favorably to the other blood oranges. These SRVs are very large, about the same size as a nice Cara Cara navel and the outside skin is getting a bit of red pigmentation.

The average Cara Cara I tested this year had 11% Brix, I hope the SRV has at least this much Brix if not higher. I only have 4 fruit on my small tree so I don't want to pick my fruit too early or too late. I'm really excited to finally try it and will definitely report back on flavor, color and sweetness. I'm really hoping it will be a good juicing orange because it's supposed to be a Valencia type orange.

Simon

Simon, I have plenty of Cara Cara's and I have never had a real sweet one. They have a nice taste, but not sweet like a good mandarin.

[EJO8]

Did you sample a smith red yet simon?