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Should Moro Blood Orange be ripe yet in Zone 9b Southern CA?

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

9 years ago

We purchased 2 Moro Blood Oranges last spring and they came to us with small fruit that have grown into medium sized oranges. I read on the web they should be ripe end of January, and they are just now changing color on the north side, so we picked one in early March. It didn't look completely burgundy, like I was expecting, and I juiced it. We thought it tasted a little sour.

My research said that if you leave the fruit on the tree too long, it can develop an off flavor.

Did we wait too long, or did we not wait long enough?

Thanks!

Suzi

Featured Answer

gregbradley

9 years ago

It is quite likely that you are expecting too much for the fruit that was on the tree when you planted it. The fruit is likely to suffer as the newly planted/transplanted tree establishes itself. Lemons and Limes may be OK but not sweet citrus like an orange.

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Comments (8)

uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
9 years ago
Hi Suzi, I am relatively new to harvesting Moros here in Northern California. Last year my Moros developed internal color in December (Dec 2013). This year they are later; about 1/2 internally colored and starting to sweeten up right now. I think that they need more time.

BTW: The tree is still young (4 years) so i can't say if its still too young or an effect of temperature? ... i am suspicious that the Dec. 2013 freeze sped up the coloration.

- Let us know what your taste buds say in a couple of weeks or more! - George
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, George. One tree has 4 oranges left and the other has three. I will let you know how they are in a couple weeks. We bought two Midnight Valencias also, but they didn't have any fruit. Fingers crossed for lots of blossoms and fruit next year. We have many citrus trees starting to blossom, so hoping there will be lots of pollination happening!
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mr_z1
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You can pick a Moro anytime between Jan and Feb and sometimes even early December. It's a early variety. I pick mine in late to mid January zone 10A.

In UCR, it ripens in Jan.
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
9 years ago
Suzi, I leave my Moros on until March. It's a bit tricky with Moros, as they can get a little off-tasting to some folks, if left on the tree too long. Usually, the more mature the tree, the earlier you can pick (within their ripeness time). I'm getting ready to pick mine right now. My trees are still a bit young, so for me right now, later assures enough sweetness. And remember, pollination is not necessary for citrus fruit set in nearly all citrus cultivars :-)
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
9 years ago
These were 4' tall, pretty healthy trees last Spring, so I imagine they are still pretty young. We'll try again (since the trial one was a bit sour) in a couple weeks. I love spacing the varieties for lots of fruit. Our navel was amazing this year, and we wish it was bigger with more fruit. Valencias take their time to ripen (our plain old Valencia is still not ripe), and I'm hoping the two Midnight Valencias will bear in a different month than the Moros. Thanks for the info! We'll probably be able to pick much earlier in a few years, but for now, March it is.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
9 years ago
This year my Moro is much later in ripening, as well. I tested one the first week of February, and the fruit was still quite acidic....although the fruit was nicely pigmented. Perhaps I'll pull one today and see how the flavor has advanced.

Josh
uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
9 years ago
My Moros are still not ready as of the past weekend.

On the flip side.... my Tangos are dancin' !!!!! :-) - George

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