Delta Valencia Orange Budwood

Citrus sinensis.

This South African variety produces a seedless fruit of high quality that resembles the Valencia but matures somewhat earlier.  The tree is vigorous and productive. It is considered to be promising and has already been planted to some extent.

Original selection made in South Africa in 1952. Similar in vigor to other Valencias but slightly more erect in shape. Bears very good yields of popular size fruit for our markets, ie: mainly 68 to 78 mm. Fruit can be slightly elongated with a slight shoulder if growth excessively vigorous. TSS levels are slightly lower than other Valencias and can be unacceptably low on vigorous rootstocks such as rough lemon. On Troyer eating quality is very good- both TSS and fibre strength (rag) imporve. Acid levels drop early and the Delta can be picked 2 to 3 weeks earlier than most other Valencias. The Delta is completely seedless and has an attractive, smooth rind.

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

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California:  March to July.

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