Growing Oranges

GROW YOUR OWN ORANGES

Tropical citrus like oranges will only grow in warm areas, so you should be living in zones 9 to 11 in order to grow oranges in your garden. Southern United States, South America and various parts of Southeast Asia are ideal for growing oranges. Cool areas can still have fresh oranges if you grow a small tree in a container and keep it protected over winter. There are many kinds of oranges to choose from, each with their own unique flavor. Navel oranges are good for fresh eating, and Valencia are usually grown for their sweet juice. Blood oranges are distinctly red inside and even produce a reddish juice. Oranges are almost exclusively eaten fresh or juiced. The juice is used in cooking and baking, but the fruit itself seldom is. Oranges are famous for their vitamin C content, and they also have fiber, vitamin A and even calcium.

CAN ORANGES BE GROWN IN POTS

• One of the great things about growing a miniature orange tree in a pot is that you can move it somewhere sheltered during the winter. That means you may be able to grow oranges in areas cooler than the usual zones. 
• Your tree should be able to stay outside as long as the temperature (both daytime and nighttime) stays above 40F.
• You can get just about any kind of orange in “dwarf” variety because they are usually just standard orange trees grafted onto dwarf root stocks.
• Use a large container that has very good drainage. They like water but not soggy roots. You will have to water your tree at least once a week if not twice. If the soil is dry for an inch on top, you should water again.

HARVESTING AND STORAGE

• Your harvest season will vary greatly depending on what variety of orange you are growing. Valencia oranges will ripen between March and June, but many navel oranges ripen after December. 
• A new orange tree will usually start to produce a fruit harvest about 2 years after planting.
• The fruit will turn completely orange and have lost their green when they are ripe. Taste one to make sure they are at their sweetest. 
• Either clip the fruit from the stem or twist it off carefully so you don’t damage the rest of the branch
• You can store oranges at room temperature for up to 2 weeks with no problem. If you keep them in the fridge, don’t keep them in a plastic bag or they may mold.

USES OF ORANGES

• Most oranges make a great snack that can be eaten out-of-hand. The flesh is generally sweet and juicy. The juice from oranges is very popular worldwide.
• Oranges are also used in making salads, desserts, ice creams, sorbets, and some savory dishes. They are also used as a garnish. The juice, flesh and zest can all be used.
• The loose-skinned mandarins can also be eaten out-of-hand and peel much easier than oranges. They are used in salads and desserts and can generally be substituted for oranges in most recipes. As with oranges, the juice, flesh and zest of the mandarins can be used.
• The flesh and juice from the bitter orange are sour and are not eaten raw. They are used to make jams, jellies and marmalades. The oil from their skin is very aromatic is used to flavor liqueurs.

ORANGE CAKE RECEIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 whole orange
• 3 eggs
• 180 g melted butter (6.3 oz)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1½ cups self raising flour OR 1½ plain (all purpose) flour 
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder 

METHOD

• Preheat your oven to 180C/350F.
• Grease your cake tin
• Wash the orange thoroughly - this is particularly important if the orange is not organic or from your backyard.
• Put the whole washed orange into the food processor and process it until it's completely broken down and no large pieces remain. Add the rest of the ingredients and process again until everything is mixed together for about 30 seconds.
• Scrape the batter into the cake tin and cook for around 40 minutes.
• This will give you a deliciously moist cake with a full orange flavour. And the best is there is no zesting, juicing, peeling or cutting. Simple!

ORANGES NUTRITION FACTS AND BENEFITS

• Oranges are rich in dietary fiber, pectin, which is necessary for people with excessive body weight. Pectin acts as a bulk laxative, thereby protecting the mucus membrane of the colon by reducing its exposure time to toxic substances and binding cancer-causing chemicals there. 
• Similar to other citrus fruits, oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a powerful natural antioxidant. This vitamin is required for developing resistance against infectious agents. 
• Being a good source of vitamin A and other flavonoids such as alpha and beta carotene's beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein, oranges have plenty of properties. While vitamin A is essential in maintaining a healthy mucus membrane and skin. Flavonoids, on the other hand, protect the body from the risk of lung and oral cavity cancers. 
• Oranges contain a compound called limonoid, which is directly linked to fight against cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. 
• Eating an orange daily keeps a man’s sperm healthy. The presence of vitamin C in these fruits protects the sperm from genetic damage which may lead to birth defects in the baby. 
• Consuming orange juice on a regular basis helps in reducing the severity of inflammatory conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Oranges minimize chances of developing calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys. 
• Vitamin C rich foods, such as oranges, are known to lower the incidence of peptic ulcers, which in turn, decrease the risk of developing stomach cancer. 
• Calcium content in oranges enhances the health of teeth and bones. Additionally, this element helps in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level and assist in the healthy functioning of muscles. 

USING ORANGES FOR SKIN CARE

• Orange skin can be used to moisturize your skin and keep it young. The skin of the orange contains natural oil, which can keep your skin looking healthy. An orange peel mask, which you can prepare at home, is perfect for all skin types. It will you brighten your skin and balance your skin tone for a more radiant look. 
• Orange peels can be used as a natural body scrub. After eating oranges, do not throw away its peels. Dry them in the sun and grind them. Keep them and use them as a body scrub. This natural scrub will help you exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells that take out the freshness of your skin. 
• Orange peels can be used as a facial cream. Do this by adding milk to the orange peel scrub that you prepared earlier. Using an orange peel facial cream will give your face an instant glow and reduces your dark spots and Blemishes. 
• Orange juice can help rejuvenate your tired face. Take the juice of 1-2 oranges and freeze them in an ice tray. When frozen, rub your face with these frozen orange juice cube. It will instantly freshen you up by getting rid of the excess oil from your face, while minimizing the size of your pores. 
• Orange juice can be used on the scalp to reduce dandruff and oily scalp problems. However, note that the juice to be used on the scalp should be extracted from the pulp of a non-sweet orange variant. 
• Orange protects our body from diseases and illnesses, and offers many cures as well. The skin remedies are very easy to prepare. It is cheap and beneficial. Perfect aid to make our skin healthier and more younger-looking!