Delta Valencia orange

Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck

CRC 3963
PI 539665
VI 474

Source

Received as budwood from South Africa, 1985.

Parentage/origins

Parents unknown.

Rootstocks of accession

Carrizo citrange, C-35 citrange

Season of ripeness at Riverside

March to July

Notes and observations

1986, EMN: Import put directly into thermotherapy; no pre-index.

A.T.C. Lee: Original selection made in South Africa in 1952. Similar in vigor to other Valencias but slightly more erect in shape. Bears very good yields of popular size fruit for our markets, ie: mainly 68 to 78 mm. Fruit can be slightly elongated with a slight shoulder if growth excessively vigorous. TSS levels are slightly lower than other Valencias and can be unacceptably low on vigorous rootstocks such as rough lemon. On Troyer eating quality is very good- both TSS and fibre strength (rag) imporve. Acid levels drop early and the Delta can be picked 2 to 3 weeks earlier than most other Valencias. The Delta is completely seedless and has an attractive, smooth rind..

1986, Etienne Rabe: Midknight Valencia is better than Delta and also totally seedless.

Description from The Citrus Industry Vol. 1 (1967)

"This South African variety produces a seedless fruit of high quality that resembles the Valencia but matures somewhat earlier. The tree is vigorous and productive. Delta originated as a dooryard seedling. It is thought to be of Valencia parentage and was found in 1952 by A. Smith, Government Entomologist, at Rustenburg, western Transvaal. It is considered to be promising and has already been planted to some extent."