I was given this Navel orange a couple of days ago by someone that claimed it "wasn't doing so well".
It's from Willits & Newcomb in California and is named as Early Navel Orange. It's foliage does look pale but otherwise OK. Recommended lighting and temps?

Also ... paint markings on the main stem. Any idea what if anything they mean?

Cheers, Barrie.

It appears to me that you may have problems with the roots. I leave it to the other container experts to chime in since I don't do much container growing except when propagating plants.

The different colors could have been multi-graft markings. But it seemed that only one became dominant. I am still holding out chance that you may have at least another variety in there.

The markings could also stand for rootstock type and cultivar type.

The paint markings mean that the tree was scheduled to get logged. Congratulations, you have prevented some deforestation!

In Spain they use a color code for rootstock and graft. I cannot say if that is an international norm but blue-red is Navelina 7-5.
But on the picture it looks more like blue-orange that doesn't mean any thing in that code.

Just a thinking...

Willts and Newcomb Nurseries, uses paint colors to identify the variety of their trees. A Willts & Newcomb citrus tree, that is marked with an orange stripe on top and a blue stripe on the bottom, means your tree is an Atwood Navel Orange tree. The tree is a little lopsided, but still looks to be in rather fair health. I suspect that the tree has not received the amount of nutrition that it requires. As Joe stated, the first thing I would do would be to check the growth medium for signs of compaction, and verify that the medium still provides the roots with rapid drainage, and GOOD aeration. Good luck with the tree, it ihas found a nice home. - Millet

Excellent info and advice! The container looks like terra-cotta but is in fact plastic. I'll pull it from the container and examine the root system and soil, then post some pics.
Again, all your input here is the best the citrus world has to offer. :D

Cheers, Barrie.

Given to you?! It's not a bad looking tree. Lucky you, Barrie.

I agree it doesn't look to be in too bad of shape. Good luck with it Barrie, nice tree.

Indeed, a welllooking tree.
If you get such trees in Germany, you often pay a lot or the tree won't look like this.
Simply, a light prunning action to get back in shape and everything will be fine.
Check the roots and repot if necessary.