Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Sunday - January 27, 2008

From: altamonte springs, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Care of non-native Navel Orange tree
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What kind of care does a Navel Orange tree need? Mine looks really bad this year, not much fruit and small fruit.

ANSWER:

Navel oranges seem to be having some problems this year, as we have a recent previous question that also dealt with mysterious poor health. You will find in that previous question two other weblinks that cover a lot of the problems with growing navel oranges.

Strictly speaking, since the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center concentrates on plants native to North America, this particular plant does not fall into our normal field of activities. The first navel orange was imported into the United States in 1873 from Brazil. However, when someone asks us a question about a non-native plant they already own, we try to help out, and then urge them to replace it, if it becomes necessary to do so, with a plant native to their area that will have a natural tendency to adapt and do well for them.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Non-native crape myrtle resistance to deer from Annapolis MD
April 06, 2013 - Is Crape Myrtle tree resistant to deers? Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Controlling pumpkin vine in British Columbia
July 15, 2008 - I have never grown pumpkins before but decided to try one plant this year. It seems to be taking over my small garden space. Can I prune it back? I only want one or two pumpkins for my grandchildre...
view the full question and answer

Splitting bark on non-native mimosa from Buda TX
June 24, 2012 - What would cause my Mimosa tree to have splitting bark. I've only lived in this house for 8 months and am learning about this tree. The other tree seems fine. It looks as though it split and then ...
view the full question and answer

Invasiveness of Cosmos from Decatur GA
April 26, 2013 - I have been searching for an answer concerning the invasive plant Cosmos. I know that Florida declares this but I have not been able to find out does Georgia? And specifically,is it only the yellow Co...
view the full question and answer

Transplant time for small smoke tree from Battle Ground WA
June 01, 2014 - When do I transplant a smoke tree that is still young, about a foot high? It is too close to a fence, which I fear will be a problem as it gets big. I live in Battle Ground, WA which is zone 6.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.