PRODUCTS
Varieties produced from the Sundays River Valley area are:
Navel
Navel oranges are the most challenging cultivar to produce successfully. The
SRV has traditionally been a navel producing area and they are still the
largest cultivar (by area) planted in the SRV. Due to the range of cultivars
now available (approximately 12) the traditional navel picking window of
May-June has been extended from mid April - mid August. The picking season
commences with early maturing varieties (eg. Navelinas & Newhalls),
followed by mid-maturing varieties (eg. Washingtons & Palmers) and
ends with late maturing varieties (eg. Lane Lates & Autumn
Gold). Sundays River Valley navels are characterized by excellent
eating quality.
Cara Cara Navel
A relatively new navel cultivar selection which differs from other navels due
to a pigmented (red) flesh colour. This colour is due to the presence of lyco,
the same pigment responsible for the flesh colour of Star Ruby grapefruit. The
majority of trees are still relatively young, most planted after 1999.
Lemon
The largest cultivar (by fruit volume) planted in the SRV. The SRV is still
responsible for over one third of South African lemons. SRV lemons are
characterized by thin rinds and a high juice content making them an extremely
sought after product. The vast majority of lemons are Eurekas with small
plantings of Lisbon, Limoneira, Genoa and more recently Eureka Seedless.
Sundays River Valley lemons are picked over an extended period from March to
October. The fruit tends to be greenish from March - June and thereafter
develops a more yellow colour due to the cold nights experienced during mid -
late winter.
Valencia
Different varieties are grouped under the Valencia types, namely Midknight,
Delta and Valencia
Midknight
The Midknight is characterized by large fruit and good juice content and is
virtually seedless. The Midknight was discovered in the SRV and has become the
most widely planted valencia variety in the SRV. Trees are less vigorous than
other valencia selections and hence are planted at higher densities of up to
1000 trees/hectare. Packouts are typically very good (>80% Class I) due to a
high percentage of fruit being carried inside the tree canopy away from wind
and thrips damage.
Delta
Delta valencias have been very popular in the SRV over the past 15 years. They
were seen as the logical replacement for the traditional old line valencias due
to their seedlessness and improved overall fruit quality. Trees are vigorous
with good production levels.
Grapefruit
The SRV is not traditionally a large grapefruit area. However due to the late
maturity of Star Rubies in the SRV a window exists for packing good quality
fresh grapefruit well after the traditional Northern and Eastern production
areas have finished i.e. during the first half of August.
Easy Peelers (Soft Citrus)
Satsumas, Clementines and Novas are all different types of Easy Peelers, also
known as Soft Citrus.
Satsuma
Satsumas represent the first citrus packing of the season starting as early as
end February with the Miho Wase selection.
Clementine
SRV clementines are characterized by thin rinds and excellent eating quality.
Virtually all clementines are degreened to enhance early season rind colour at
a time when climatic conditions are not conducive to rapid colour development
at orchard level. Over 90% of SRV clementines are the Nules selection with
small plantings of Oroval, SRA63 and more recently Clemenpons and Oronules.
Nova
Novas are a mandarin hybrid well suited to the windy conditions
typical of the Sundays River Valley. Internal quality and external colour is
exceptional (deep red colour). Preference is given to let Novas colour
naturally on the trees, as opposed to put it through a degreening process
after picking. |
