Salustiana Orange

Salustiana Orange

(Citrus sinensis 'Salustiana')

Documented by Léo — grown in the ground, USDA zone 8b

Salustiana orange (Citrus sinensis 'Salustiana') is a Spanish mutation of the Comuna orange, selected in Valencia for its juiciness and its complete absence of seeds. Its tree hardiness reaches 16°F (−9°C), making it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zones 8b and 9a. The vigorous tree reaches 10 to 16 ft (3 to 5 m) with a spreading, rounded habit, glossy evergreen foliage, and fragrant white flowers. Its bright orange fruit, medium-sized at about 5.3 to 6.3 oz (150 to 180 g) according to catalogs, varying with conditions, without a navel, with thin skin that is moderately easy to peel, seedless, ripen in winter (January-March) with very juicy, sweet, low-acid flesh, perfect for juice. Considered one of the best juice oranges in the world, the basis of the Spanish orange juice industry. Excellent fresh too. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata, plant against a south-facing wall, well-drained soil.

Identity

OriginSpain (Valencia, L'Énova)

Genetic originSpontaneous mutation of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis 'Comuna')

USDA zone8b

Cold hardiness16°F (−9°C)

Fruit cold hardiness28°F (−2°C)

GrowthVigorous

Height13 ft (4 m)

HarvestJanuary, February, March, April, December

SeedsSeedless

UsesFresh eating, Juice, Preserves

FlavorsVery sweet, Slightly acidic, Highly aromatic

History & Description

Origin

Salustiana orange is a sweet orange variety born in Spain, discovered around 1950 in the province of Valencia, in the garden of Don Salustiano Pallás in L'Énova. Arising from a spontaneous bud mutation on an orange tree of the Comuna variety (Citrus sinensis), it was quickly recognized for its exceptional juice qualities and marketed throughout the Mediterranean basin. Its name comes directly from its discoverer. The variety now accounts for 6 to 8% of the area planted to oranges in Spain and is grown in Spain, Morocco, Argentina, and many Mediterranean countries. It is considered by many agronomists to be the best juice orange in the world. In France, it is grown in sheltered zone 8b gardens, grafted onto a hardy rootstock such as Poncirus trifoliata or Citrumelo.

Tree description

Salustiana is a vigorous orange tree with an upright, thornless habit and dense, glossy dark green evergreen foliage. It reaches 10 to 13 ft (3 to 4 m) in the ground in Mediterranean conditions. Its very fragrant white bloom comes in spring and generously perfumes the garden. Grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata or Citrumelo, it can be grown in a very sheltered position up to zone 8b.

Fruit quality

The fruit is spherical, slightly flattened at the apex, medium to large, weighing 5.3 to 6.3 oz (150 to 180 g) and 2.8 in (7 cm) in diameter, with thin, smooth, bright orange skin. The pulp is melting, extremely juicy, intensely flavored, very sweet and low in acid. It is almost seedless and holds very long on the tree, from December to April, without loss of flavor quality.

Flavor and ornamental interest

Salustiana is above all an exceptional citrus for its abundant, mild, sweet juice, the reference of Mediterranean juice presses. Its fruit keep for several months and offer a harvest window from December to April, filling the winter gap. The tree is decorative with its large, fragrant orange blossoms and its persistent golden fruit. It is a choice specimen for sheltered southern gardens where frost remains moderate.