Navel orange suddenly has seeds

Discussion in 'Citrus' started by BugBeater, Mar 8, 2021.

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  1. BugBeater

    BugBeater New Member

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    A 10-plus year-old rather healthy navel orange tree this year is bearing seeded oranges!? In the past there were never any seeds. They are coming from all oranges I have eaten so far, from all limbs (none arising from below the graft union). They taste like navel oranges. The tree is rather healthy. No new citrus planted in the vicinity (so far as I can tell).

    Any thoughts why?

    Thank you.
     
  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Perhaps someone nearby has started beekeeping as a hobby or has put up a bee hotel for native bees. Has there been a noticeable increase in pollinators in your garden?
     
  3. BugBeater

    BugBeater New Member

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    No. We have always had many many wild honey bees around...no noticeable increase.
     
  4. Will B

    Will B Active Member

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    Perhaps the wild bees did not pollinate the citrus properly, or else someone nearby got a new citrus tree and the bees are pollinating your navel orange with its pollen. In any case, many citrus will produce seedless fruit if not pollinated, but will produce seedy fruit when pollinated. There have been many cases where beekeepers were not wanted due to making citrus crops seedy:
     
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  5. BugBeater

    BugBeater New Member

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    Well, I guess that's what it *must* be if there are no other explanations.
    Thanks for your time.
     

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