Cara Cara Navle Orange

🍊 Cara Cara Navel Orange – Description and Farming Guide

✅ Short Description:

• Shape: Round to oval
• Color (Outside): Bright orange
• Flesh Color: Deep pink to reddish (like ruby grapefruit)
• Weight: 200–250 grams
• Sweetness: Very high
• Taste: Rich, sweet with mild berry-like undertone, low acidity
• TSS (°Brix): 12–14°
• Briks: 13–15°
• Seeds: Seedless
• Special Feature: Unique pink-red flesh, excellent fresh eating quality

🌱 Cara Cara Navel Orange Farming Guide

1. Origin & Nature:

• Discovered: 1976, Venezuela
• Type: Natural mutation of Washington Navel
• Use: Mainly for fresh eating, salads, and juice (not for processing due to color)

2. Climate:

• Ideal Climate: Subtropical and Mediterranean
• Temperature Range: 15°C to 30°C
• Rainfall: 900–1200 mm annually
• Frost Tolerance: Moderate; protect young plants

3. Soil:

• Type: Well-drained sandy loam, loam
• pH Range: 5.5 to 7.5
• Drainage: Good drainage essential

4. Planting Details:

• Best Time: June to September (monsoon)
• Spacing: 6m × 6m or 5m × 5m
• Pit Size: 1m³ filled with soil + FYM + neem cake

5. Propagation:

• Method: Bud grafting on Rough Lemon or Rangpur Lime rootstocks
• Grafting Time: Early spring or monsoon

6. Irrigation:

• Young Trees: Every 7–10 days
• Mature Trees: Every 2–3 weeks
• Avoid: Standing water, water stress during flowering

7. Fertilizer Schedule (Per Tree/Year):

• Split into two applications: pre-monsoon and post-monsoon
• Apply micronutrients if deficiency symptoms appear

8. Flowering & Fruiting:

• First Fruiting: 3–4 years
• Peak Production: 7–8 years
• Harvest Time (India): Late November to February

9. Pest & Disease Management:

• Common Pests: Citrus psylla, aphids, mites, citrus thrips
• Diseases: Citrus canker, gummosis, Phytophthora root rot
• Solutions: Neem oil, Bordeaux mixture, proper pruning, good drainage

10. Yield:

• Per Mature Tree: 80–120 fruits/year
• Per Acre (under good management): 8–10 tons

11. Market & Profitability:

• High Value Crop: Premium fruit due to pink flesh and sweetness
• Market: Fresh fruit market, supermarkets, export potential
• Shelf Life: 2–3 weeks under cool conditions

Let me know if you’d like a Cara Cara vs Washington Navel comparison or PDF farming guide.