Orange hidden among the leaves and mulch.
I was picking up around the yard, when something yellow caught my eye under my Republic of Texas Orange tree. I thought the tree had only set two fruit this year, but apparently it had set a third, which had become quite heavy and was now resting on the ground. I thought that the Republic of Texas orange didn't ripen until December, so I was surprised to see one changing color so early. I lifted the fruit off the ground, and discovered why it was changing color:
Bugs.
The fruit had become very heavy, and the branch holding it had sagged until the orange rested on the ground. Once on the ground, the creepy crawlies had discovered it, and made themselves right at home. I turned the fruit over, and saw where earwigs and other little beetles had been burrowing in through the peel. Fortunately, they hadn't gotten too far and completely ruined the fruit.
I cut it in half to take a look, and as I did so streams of juice ran out all over my knife and hands. This is one very juicy orange. The bugs had only penetrated the bottom inch or so of the fruit, so I cut that part out and discarded it. The orange itself had 10 segments of yellow to yellow-orange vesicles, each containing at least one large polyembryonic nucellar seed. The Republic of Texas orange doesn't peel easily like a Navel orange, and I think they are best for juicing. The taste wasn't as good as the one I had last year, but considering it is still very early for this variety and the fruit had suffered some bug damage, it was still sweet and very pleasant. The tree has two more fruits on branches higher in the canopy, which I'm looking forward to juicing in December, provided .
Bugs.
The fruit had become very heavy, and the branch holding it had sagged until the orange rested on the ground. Once on the ground, the creepy crawlies had discovered it, and made themselves right at home. I turned the fruit over, and saw where earwigs and other little beetles had been burrowing in through the peel. Fortunately, they hadn't gotten too far and completely ruined the fruit.
I cut it in half to take a look, and as I did so streams of juice ran out all over my knife and hands. This is one very juicy orange. The bugs had only penetrated the bottom inch or so of the fruit, so I cut that part out and discarded it. The orange itself had 10 segments of yellow to yellow-orange vesicles, each containing at least one large polyembryonic nucellar seed. The Republic of Texas orange doesn't peel easily like a Navel orange, and I think they are best for juicing. The taste wasn't as good as the one I had last year, but considering it is still very early for this variety and the fruit had suffered some bug damage, it was still sweet and very pleasant. The tree has two more fruits on branches higher in the canopy, which I'm looking forward to juicing in December, provided .
Republic of Texas Orange
Very juicy with lots of seeds.
10 segments, each with at least one large seed.
This lizard needs a haircut.
