How to Grow Temple Orange Trees

Similar to the mandarin, the temple orange has a deep, reddish-orange complexion.

The temple orange is an orange hybrid that originates from the cross of the orange and the mandarin. This Jamaican native produces thick, reddish-orange rinds with juicy, rich-flavored fruit. Extremely cold-sensitive, the temple orange develops as a bushy tree with a high susceptibility to fungal diseases.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears or saw
• Fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Choose a nutrient-rich planting location for your temple orange. Select an elevated, tropical location that receives at least eight to ten hours of full, direct sunlight. Ensure that the location is well-drained and in a frost-free environment.

2. Dig a deep hole for the temple orange tree that allows the entire root system to be covered with soil while allowing the bud union line to rest above the surface.

3. Remove the temple orange from its bindings and gently wash the root ball with a low stream of water. Remove some, but not all, of the excess soil to slightly expose the roots. Keeping the trunk perpendicular to the ground, center the temple orange in the hole and fill up the hole with the soil. Make sure that all of the roots are covered.

4. Irrigate your temple orange tree immediately after planting. Irrigate it deeply so that the water reaches the deepest roots. Fill the planting area with more soil, as necessary, to replace any soil that has settled. Water the newly planted tree about twice a week during the first month and then about once a week throughout the remaining portion of the growing season. Adjust the irrigation levels for drought and rainy periods to avoid improper irrigation.

5. Line the tree's canopy with a three- to four-inch layer of mulch. Keep the mulch at least a foot away from the temple's trunk to prevent the development of root rot. Replenish the mulch periodically throughout the growing season to maintain a consistent layer.

6. Limit the use of fertilizers for this citrus tree. Feed the temple orange once in the early spring with a slow-release, nitrogen-based fertilizer, such as a 21-0-0. Distribute the feed evenly under the tree's canopy. Keep the fertilizer at least a foot away from the trunk of the temple to prevent root rot and burn. Irrigate the fertilizer deeply into the soil.

7. Prune the tree in the early spring to promote healthy growth. Remove dead and broken branches and stems with sharp, sterile shears or a pruning saw. Thin the interior branches of the temple orange to increase air circulation and light throughout the tree.

8. Keep the tree's area free of debris and defoliation to reduce the potential of fungal infections and disease. Remove any dead or diseased areas from the tree as they appear to prevent the spread of disease. Treat the infected or infested tree with the appropriate chemical treatment. Speak with your local horticultural or nursery specialist to identify the chemical treatments that are acceptable for your area.

9. Harvest the temple orange tree in the fall as the fruit ripens. Remove the fruit by clipping it from the tree with sharp shears. Harvest the tree daily until all of the temple oranges have been removed.

References

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Home Fruit Production - Mandarins
• Floridata: Citrus Sinensis
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Temple Tangor
• Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Orange