Dwarf Valencia orange - fruit only on lower branches

11 years ago

I am new to citrus growing, so please bear with me. I've searched the posts on this forum but haven't found an answer. Hopefully someone can help. My 3 year old dwarf seedless Valencia orange is planted in the ground in mostly full sun and looks very healthy. There is lots of very dense foliage and new growth (looks more like a bush than a tree), but I'm baffled as to why there is only fruit on the lower part of the tree. The oranges are good size but they are almost completely hidden in the foliage so they never get any sun on them. They taste more sour than sweet. Is this just a normal growth habit for this type of orange, or should I prune to open it up to let light in?

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Comments (6)

houstontexas123
11 years ago
i dont think the fruits themselves need light. are these oranges from last year?
mainemom
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes the oranges are from last year. They are yellow-orange with a hint of green at the stem area.
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MrClint
11 years ago
I don't think you have anything to worry about or to correct. You can chalk it all up to the tree still being pretty young. Valencias are generally good about not needing any pruning and setting the proper amount of fruit that it can bear. The oranges will sweeten up if you let them sit longer on the tree.
MrClint
11 years ago
I don't think you have anything to worry about or to correct. You can chalk it all up to the tree still being pretty young. Valencias are generally good about not needing any pruning and setting the proper amount of fruit that it can bear. The oranges will sweeten up if you let them sit longer on the tree.
blazeaglory
11 years ago
Its OK. Most Citrus trees have a tendency to bloom/fruit from the bottom up.
mainemom
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for your help! I will put the pruners away and let the tree decide how it wants to grow.