Hi Instant. It's probably too late, but you should have held off tossing the mom Citrus. As long as it had oranges, it was alive. Most likely, the original tree was grafted. The seedling you sowed isn't. Right? Grafted Citrus have certain advantages seed-grown doesn't. For one, grafted trees flower and fruit sooner than seed grown. Grafted trees start fruiting 2-3 yrs of age. Seedlings can take up to 14 yrs. It depends. If possible, you should place your Orange outdoors in summer. How much light is it getting indoors? Citrus should be set directly in front of a south or west window. Citrus fertilizer is best, but if you can't find it, a high nitrogen fertilizer will do. Proper watering is very important. Never keep soil soaking wet. Let dry between waterings, especially during winter months. Some humidity and fresh, circulating air is important. Dry, stuffy rooms cause problems. When young, citrus should not be potted in huge containers. Allow roots to grow. When they fill pot, repot in a container 1-2 sizes larger. Now that winter is nearing, place your citrus in the sunniest window in your home. Preferably a cool room. Never exceed 75F degrees. Indoor/gas heat, not outside temps. Also, do not put a plant directly in front of a heating vent. Do you have a photo? How large are the thorns? Toni

nlion, Valencia oranges don't fully ripen until February while navels and Arizona sweets are ready to pick in late October or November. The best place to store oranges is on the tree, unless we have a freeze warning in which case you may want to pick the fruit. I find that using a granular fertilizer that you can broadcast over the root zone and water in works the best. The spikes tend to concentrate the product and can cause salt burn. Apply fertilizer three times a year on Valentines Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Be sure to water your citrus trees deeply, to a depth of three feet, each time you apply water. The frequency will depend on the season but generally watering once a week in summer tapering to once every three weeks in winter is recommended. Here's a link to more information on citrus including fertilizing, watering, citrus varieties, cold protection, etc. Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus information

Hi Hammer, I don't have any direct experience with finding Valencias but check GWD (garden Watchdog) for evaluations of companies that do mail order. One in California is pretty bad and has changed its name. Check out the feedback. Good Luck. I hope this note is not too late. I am looking for Washington Navels but I have a great nursery just down the street.

Once the temperatures start to drop and you get some cool nights they will begin to change. I've been told, read, and heard that everywhere. This is my first year growing citrus, we just started getting nights in the 60s here in the Houstan area and my satsumas as well as grapefruits are beginning to turn orange.