Smith Red Orange

Smith Red is a red-fleshed sweet orange selection also historically called Smith Red Valencia. The [UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection](https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/crc4093) records the selection as Citrus sinensis and cautions that its originally proposed Valencia parentage may be unlikely; the name Smith Red is therefore retained without asserting that ancestry. ## Fruit and season The fruit develops deep red pigment in its flesh and can show a red blush on the rind. UCR reports late-winter ripening in Riverside, with fruit holding into late spring. The [University of Arizona Extension](https://extension.arizona.edu/publication/oranges-southern-arizona) describes Smith Red as similar in size and shape to other blood oranges. Flesh color depends on growing conditions and may be stronger after cool winter nights, as described by this [Smith Red nursery profile](https://www.deserthorizonnursery.com/plant/smith-red-orange/). ## Site and care Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Citrus trees are grafted, and rootstock can affect vigor and mature size; the exact rootstock for this record is not documented. Water deeply and regularly while young, then adjust irrigation to weather and soil. The [UF/IFAS citrus guide](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS132) advises removing rootstock suckers and pruning mature canopies only as needed. ## Maintenance Keep the graft union above soil, remove shoots below it, and protect the tree from frost. Mature size varies with rootstock and pruning, so no mature dimensions are assigned here.