Just thought I would post a pic of the winner of this years Southeastern Citrus Expo entry that won the Best in Show award! This sweet orange is called Sweet Betty and comes from the Talahassee Fla area. ( zone eight) I obtained some budwood from a friend before the qurantine rules took effect. Someone at the Expo said they thought it was Hamlin but my other hamlin tree has much larger fruits and a much paler skin color.



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Congrats again Stan. Are you sure your other tree isn't a Parson Brown?

Well Done Stan! how about more photos and the other winners?

You know he had a little help, right? After all, why do you think he calls it Sweet Betty?

Congratulation Stan. - Millet

Congrats!

What exactly are the conditions to become a winner? Fruit size? Color? Taste? ...

Beautiful, Stan. What qualities are judged for the winners? What were some of the runner's ups?? And Laaz, you are now not only the undisputed variegated citrus king, you are now the Photoshop king, lol!!

Sweet Betty, never heard of it. Further, can't find anything in print about such a variety. - Millet

Congrats !!!

Oh, I see SEEDS ....

Photoshop? Ned took that picture outside the expo!

Todd, Betty and I make quite the pair! Wish I knew how to photoshop like you do.. I would really fix you up! lol.. Millet, The guy in Fla who sent me the budwood called it Sweet Betty so thats what Ive always called it. Im sure it is some type of common sweet orange but I dont think its hamlin.. Thats why there is no name for it. I was told that it handles the cold there in Talahassee really well and has survived some severe freezes.
Marc, the judging is usually done by a team of 3 people, this year, the judges were: Amanda McNulty from the TV show, " Making It Grow" that appears on ETV here in the Southeast. Dr Arlie Powell, retired Professor at Auburn University, Auburn Alabama. Dr Powell is an avid citrus grower and plant breeder.. Webby Debbie, also from the TV show Making It Grow.. I guess they look at flesh color, fruit color, general appearance of the entry etc. I will tell you that the night before, I used a little olive oil to give my oranges a little shine! So, Sweet Betty Olive Oil and I won the prize!

Sweet Betty use to be sold by Just Fruits and Exotics, but I don't see it listed now. I believe the lady with the sword is actually Amanda McNulty, the chief judge, and take note, there was only one Sweet Betty entered. Think about that a moment. LOL

If he called it "Sweet Betty White" he would have been disqualified!

I posted a copy of an email I got from Brandy Crowley of Just Fruits Nursery in Florida concerning Sweet Betty.. Any of you interested in its history can go to the Citrus Expo 2012 section and read the post.

Congrats for this award.

Franck