Help Sourcing Moro Blood Orange in Central FL?

9 years ago

Hi everyone - I've been trying for several years now to source a Moro blood orange here in the Orlando area, but to no avail. Every now and then I'll see a ten- or twenty-gallon tree pop up at a local home center, but my issue is that I'm in a small apartment setting and just don't have room for that size tree; whatever I buy will need to be container-grown for the foreseeable future, and I've been trying to find something no larger than three gallons.

My best local citrus nursery (Pokey's in Zellwood) doesn't have anything smaller than five gallons, and searches at other nurseries and home centers have come up empty. I've also called Record Buck Farms (who supplies most of our local home-center citrus) and they told me that they rarely, if ever, do three-gallon blood oranges of any variety anymore. Finally, I've searched everywhere I can think of for a place that would let me take a couple cuttings to try and root, but I've completely struck out there too. If I could import from another state, I would, but obviously that's not an option.

At this point, I'm out of ideas. Has anyone in this area had any luck finding one of these little gems, or does anyone have a bright idea as to where else I might try? Thanks!

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Will
Original Author

9 years ago

Update: on my way out to a wedding Saturday, I was able to stop at Pokey's out in Zellwood to ask in person if they ever sell cuttings. A very, very nice employee told me that, while they don't sell them, he'd be happy to grab me a couple to take home at no charge if I told him what I was looking for. A couple minutes later, I was on my way with three cute little four-inch Moro cuttings to try and root. After a dip in the hormone, they're sitting out on the heating mat on my (very small) patio in one-gallon black nursery pots. If anyone's willing to send some good energy my way that they actually root, I'd really appreciate it!

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Comments (13)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Harris Citrus. I have a dwarf Moro from them. Give them a call!
Will
Original Author
9 years ago
Hey Laura - thanks! I checked out Harris (I actually have a Tarocco tree from them that I purchased a couple years ago but has never flowered), but they don't seem to have any Moro in stock right now. Plus, to be honest, I was sort of hoping to avoid having to have a tree shipped, though if that's what it takes I can make it work.

I'd love a dwarf Moro, though - that would be absolutely ideal for my situation!
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Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Call them! Talk to Ruth. They do not keep their website updated and often have trees not listed. I hear you about shipping. Where in FL are you? I'm a Gator you know ;-)
Will
Original Author
9 years ago
I'll do that! I'm in Seminole County and am also a Gator - Go Gators!!

The other option I've been considering, if I can't find a Moro, is a Budd. Brite Leaf retails dwarf Budd trees, and I know they're supposed to actually develop that raspberry color even around here (as opposed to the other bloods, which I'm told really don't). The thing is, I don't know of anyone who's ever actually had one of those oranges, so I have no idea whether they're as delicious as a Moro would be. Do you by chance have any experience with those?
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Go Gators! I've not tried the Budd, but I don't think it is a "true" blood orange. I would ask Ruth at Harris. She's very nice and knowledgeable. Let me know what you end up with!
Will
Original Author
9 years ago
I sure will - I'll give her a call on Monday and see what she can tell me. Thanks, Laura!
jadegarden2
9 years ago
Here is the description of Budd orange from Just Fruits and Exotics:

Budd Blood Orange Trees – CITRUS sinensis ‘Budd’

Budd Blood Orange trees were developed in Florida. They are well adapted to our climate and are one of the few blood oranges to develop the characteristic purple interior fruit color in the Florida. climate. Medium to large size fruit, with a strawberry-orange flavor. Fresh squeezed juice is blood red in color. One of the earliest varieties of blood oranges to ripen. Fruit ripens December to March. Self-fertile. Zones 9-10.

Sounds like a winner for Florida!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Yeah, that does sound great for FL! I may need to get me one for Maryland ;-)
Will
Original Author
9 years ago
Jade - the description did look great for FL for sure! That's the only reason I'd consider it over the more "Sicilian" Moro, to be truthful. I'm just not sure whether the real thing is as good as advertised since I've never had one nor known anyone who has. Just don't want to spend that kind of money and be disappointed, you know?
jadegarden2
9 years ago
The strawberry-orange flavor sounds delicious to me! Also, a plus that it has the interior purple color in spite of growing in Florida! I wish we could buy these varieties - labelled - in stores. Sometimes I get a really good fruit and wonder what variety it is.

Just Fruits ships good sized trees but they do cost more than the competitors - because it is an older tree, I assume. You can save money by picking up your trees at the nursery - unless you decide you want one of everything!
Will
Original Author
9 years ago
Jade - I'm right there with you in wishing I could buy some of these varieties off-the-shelf to see how I like them. I did fire off an email to Just Fruits to see if they've got any dwarf blood varieties and to ask about their experiences with the Budd oranges; I doubt I'd be able to make it up to Crawfordville anytime soon, but if it costs me an extra few bucks to get a great tree, I'd consider that a worthwhile investment. I'll let you know what I hear back!
pip313
9 years ago
Why not just buy the bigger tree, down pot it, and trim it?