Florida's Famous Oranges
Florida's Famous Oranges
Have you ever tasted a juicy, sweet orange and wondered where it came from? Florida is famous for its oranges, but why are they so good and why do they grow so well there?
The Sunshine State's Secret
Florida is known as the "Sunshine State," and that's one of the reasons oranges thrive there! Orange trees need lots of sunlight to grow big and strong. The warm weather in Florida also helps the oranges ripen and become sweet. However, it's not just the sun. Florida also gets plenty of rain, which is important for the trees to stay healthy.
How Oranges Grow
Orange trees start as small seedlings. Farmers carefully plant them in rows in large fields called groves. The trees need to be watered and cared for until they grow big enough to produce fruit. It takes several years for an orange tree to start producing lots of oranges. When the oranges are ready, they are picked by hand or using special machines. Then they are washed, sorted, and sent to stores all over the country.
From Blossom to Juice
- Grove:
- A group of trees planted together.
- Pollinate:
- To carry pollen to make a plant produce fruit.
- Ripen:
- To become ready to eat.
- Seedling:
- A young plant.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why is Florida called the "Sunshine State?"
- 2What two things do orange trees need to grow big and strong?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
āFlorida's Famous Orangesā is a informational reading passage about Orange Groves, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (317 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.