Ruby Blood Orange Budwood

Citrus sinensis.

The development of blood coloration in Ruby is variable and for this reason, it has not become a popular variety. In California's coastal region, it never develops red pigmentation. Ruby is at its best in hot interior districts, however under these conditions the pigmentation is still variable.  In such districts, the quality is excellent and part of the crop colours beautifully. Ruby has since been used as a parent variety in the development of new varieties of citrus and it has been found that although Ruby itself is poorly coloured, its progeny tends to be very highly coloured.

Fruit medium-sized, globose to slightly oblong; faint areolar circular furrow or ridge; seeds relatively few.  Well-colored, with reddish flush under favorable conditions.  Rind medium-thick, finely pitted, and lightly pebbled.  Flesh tender and juicy; flavor rich.  Flesh color orange, streaked (rather than flecked) with red under favorable conditions.  Midseason in maturity.

Tree moderately vigorous, compact, medium-large, and productive.

Rootstocks of accession:  Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California:  December to February.

Prepared by the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at The University of California Riverside.