'Moro' blood orange

The blood orange is a variety of orange with crimson, near blood-colored flesh. It is one of the sweet orange varieties (Citrus × sinensis). It is also known as the raspberry orange.

The dark flesh color is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyphenol pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but uncommon in citrus fruits. Chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) is the main compound found in red oranges. The flesh develops its characteristic red color when the fruit develops with low temperatures during the night. Sometimes, dark coloring is seen on the exterior of the rind as well. This depends on the variety of blood orange. The skin can be tougher and harder to peel than that of other oranges. Blood oranges have a unique flavor compared to other oranges, being distinctly raspberry-like in addition to the usual citrus notes. The anthocyanin pigments of blood oranges begin accumulating in the vesicles at the edges of the segments, and at the blossom end of the fruit, and continue accumulating in cold storage after harvest.

The blood orange is a natural mutation of the orange, which is itself a hybrid, probably between the pomelo and the tangerine. Within Europe, the arancia rossa di Sicilia (red orange of Sicily) has Protected Geographical Status. In the Valencian Community, it was introduced in the second half of the 19th century.

The three most common types of blood oranges are the Tarocco (native to Italy), the Sanguinello (native to Spain), and the very dark Moro (native to Italy), the newest variety of the three.

Height at maturity: 12-14 feet

Harvest: February to April.

Self-fertile

Instructions for growing in pots: 

Leave the plant outside between May and October but bring it inside between October and the end of April, until the spring frosts are over. Place in a warm place on your land protected from the winds and place in full sun. Enlarge the pot every 2 years as needed depending on growth and add fertilizer of your choice as needed. Can easily withstand a semi-dormant winter period in a cool place between 8° and 14°C... Ex: semi-heated garage. Finally...Remember to acclimatize your plant to the sun in spring by not placing it directly in full sun for the first few days but going there gradually otherwise the leaves will burn in the sun in a few days.