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Cara Cara Navel Orange

Cara Cara Navel Orange

$34.99

Cara Cara is a pink-fleshed navel orange prized for its sweet, smooth flavor and striking rose-colored interior—offering visual beauty without blood-orange acidity.

  • Seedless navel orange discovered as a natural mutation.
  • Pink to rose flesh with gentle, low-bitterness flavor.
  • Color remains stable across climates.
  • Mid-winter harvest.
  • Self-fertile.

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Ships in 1 to 4 business days from our nursery in Washington state, in a 36 inch box.
SKU: Cara Cara Navel Orange Categories: , Tag:
What our customers say

The trees were delivered promptly and they are the biggest, best looking mail-order trees I have seen in a long time. I will be ordering more in the future.

Website customer · email

The bare roots are by far the most established roots that I have ever seen on a bareroot tree.

Website customer · email

It looks like it is at least 7 feet tall. I certainly was not expecting it to be that big.

Lisa · email

Absolutely beautiful trees, especially compared to some of the other mail order bare roots I have gotten from other companies.

Website customer · email

An extra long box for taller trees is totally worth it to me. The trees are great.

William · email

The plants look beautiful and healthy. I was impressed by the size and strength of the 3-Cherry Tree.

Jose · email

Bare root was in great condition. A lot of branching and looks ready for a harvest this year. Best fruit trees in the business!

Daniel, Lapin cherry · website review

Very nice big tree, some limbs already blooming. I've planted it and it hasn't wilted. Arrived quickly and very well packaged.

Beulah, 4 in 1 Fruit Salad · website review

They have really healthy plants, all were larger than I expected. I for sure will be ordering more from them!

Billie · website review

Arrived quickly and in great shape, larger than I had expected too.

Ralph, red currant · website review

Thank you so much for these lovely hardy kiwis. They are much bigger than expected. Will be ordering from you again.

Irene · email

Boxed perfect. Shipped on time. Excellent quality stock. About the only thing you could do to improve my experience would be to fly out to Maine and plant them for me.

Don, Maine · email

I have been buying from your nursery for years, and hands down your citrus has survived the best out of all of my sources. I have never lost a plant in my colder climate.

Returning customer · email

The packaging for those kiwis was brilliant and by far the best packaging job out of any place I ordered from this year. Your Annas are tough as nails.

Travis · email

I received my pink currant in perfect condition. I am always amazed since I live in the southeast and they are in the northwest!

Susan · website review

All 3 bushes arrived looking healthy. It's been over a month and they are still going strong.

Vlad, Rovada red currant · website review

Description

Cara Cara is a pink-fleshed navel orange discovered as a natural mutation of Washington Navel. It is prized for its sweet, low-acid flavor and distinctive rose-colored interior, offering a visually striking alternative to standard navels.

Unlike blood oranges, Cara Cara’s color comes from lycopene rather than anthocyanins and does not depend on cold winter nights to develop. This gives the fruit consistent internal color across a wide range of growing conditions while maintaining the smooth, seedless eating quality navels are known for.

Ripening in mid-winter, Cara Cara is best enjoyed fresh. Its gentle sweetness and lack of bitterness make it especially appealing for those who want something different from a traditional navel without the sharper profile of blood oranges.

Overview

  • Pink-fleshed navel orange with stable internal color.
  • Sweet, smooth flavor with very low bitterness.
  • Seedless fruit ideal for fresh eating.
  • Mid-winter ripening season.
  • Self-fertile.

Growing Details

Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis ‘Cara Cara’
Origin: Natural bud mutation of Washington Navel discovered in Venezuela
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on Flying Dragon; larger sizes on C-35
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 8; fruit damage often begins around 26 F, with increased risk to the tree during prolonged cold below this range
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity:
• Flying Dragon: Compact, container-friendly habit
• C-35: Compact to medium-sized citrus tree
Note: Final size is influenced by pruning and container culture.
Bloom Time: Spring (timing varies by climate)
Ripening Time: Mid-winter; typically December to February depending on region
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other sweet oranges; good airflow and drainage help reduce issues

Additional Notes

  • Grower’s Insight: Cara Cara is one of the easiest ways to add visual interest to a citrus collection. The pink flesh surprises first-time growers while retaining the familiar sweetness of a navel orange.
  • Regional Insight: Because its color does not depend on cold nights, Cara Cara performs consistently across a wide range of citrus-growing regions.
  • Explore more orange varieties in our collection: Orange Trees

Planting & Care

At a Glance – Cara Cara Navel Orange

  • Sun: 3/4 day to full day of sun
  • Soil: Well-drained soil
  • Soil pH: Performs best between 5.5–6.5
  • Water: Moderate; consistent during establishment
  • Tree Size: Compact to medium depending on rootstock and pruning
  • Pollination: Self-fertile
  • Harvest: Mid-winter
  • Hardiness: Fruit damage often begins around ~26°F; protect trees during prolonged cold

Planting & Care – Cara Cara Navel Orange

Site Selection

  • Select a warm, sunny location to support fruit quality and color.
  • South- or west-facing exposures improve performance in cooler winter regions.
  • Good airflow supports healthy foliage.

Soil Preparation (In-Ground vs Container)

  • In-ground: Excellent drainage is essential; raised planting areas help in heavier soils.
  • In-ground: Slightly acidic soil supports nutrient uptake.
  • Container: Use a fast-draining citrus mix with generous drainage.
  • Container: Container growing allows easier winter protection and size control.

Planting Instructions

  1. Dig a hole about twice the width of the root ball, or select a container slightly larger than the root mass.
  2. Set the tree so the root flare sits at or slightly above finished soil or potting mix.
  3. Backfill gently and water thoroughly.
  4. Mulch lightly for in-ground trees, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Watering (In-Ground vs Container)

  • In-ground, establishment: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season.
  • In-ground, established: Deep, periodic watering supports fruit development.
  • Check: Water when soil is dry 3–6 inches below the surface.
  • Container: Water thoroughly, then allow the top couple inches of mix to dry.

Fertilizing

  • Feed with citrus fertilizer in early spring and early summer.
  • Supplement with liquid feeding during active growth if needed.
  • Reduce feeding later in the season to support cold tolerance.

Cold Care

  • Protect trees during freezing weather.
  • In-ground: Use frost cloth and protect the root zone during cold snaps.
  • Container: Move to a sheltered or bright indoor location before hard freezes.

Pruning & Harvest

  • Light pruning maintains shape and airflow.
  • Harvest when fruit reaches full size and mid-winter maturity.

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