Orange Cultivation:
The Orange has its origin in Southern China, Northern and East India and South East Asia.
Around six continents in over 100 countries grow Orange throughout the year.
Things To Consider In Commercial Orange Cultivation:
Have a Business plan before starting the Business.
Orange crops demand irrigation in the time of winter and summer season.
Have some Business tie-ups with the food processing industries.
Suitable Soil For Orange Cultivation:
Light, well-drained (sandy) soils are most ideal. Oranges require well-distributed
rainfall or supplementary irrigation throughout the year. Good source of water is
essential in Orange farming. According to weather conditions, the ideal range is
between 450mm – 2,700mm per year.
Orange Cultivation Basic Steps: Planting: Go for propagation from seeds
and also vegetatively propagation by T-budding. Transplant the seedlings mostly in the
month of July-August after the commencement of monsoon. You can plant the mandarins
in pits of 50 cm. X 50 cm. X 50 cm. size in a square system with a spacing of 4.5-6 m. ,
accommodating 350-450 plants/ha.
Irrigation: You must provide irrigation
at an interval of 10-15 days during winter months and at an interval of 5-7 days during
summer months. Drip irrigation leads to an effective, efficient and economic use of
irrigation water. You can opt for drip irrigation in low rainfall regions.
Manuring:
Normally, you can apply Sodium Super Phosphate (SSP) to the soil before planting at a
rate of half a kg per hole. You can add about 10-20kg of manure to the soil. Apply NPK
fertilizer at the rate of half a kg per plant per year of growth, split into 2-3
applications per year i.e. apply about 250 gm per rainy season. Increase the fertilizer
by about 300 gms NPK per year of growth up to year 10 when each tree gets 2.5 – 3 kg
per year. Additionally, you can add farmyard manure also.
Weed control: Weeds compete with young
Oranges. Weed before the weeds flower to prevent the production of more seeds. Do not
dig through as this will damage roots and cause root rot disease. Ring weed around
the plants to get a weed-free area for irrigation and application of manure or other
fertilizers. Keep the fields weed free to avoid fruit and leaf spots.
Harvesting & Yield: Harvest the fruits
when they attain full size, develop attractive color with optimum sugar and acid blend.
You must harvest the fruits preferably with clipper, shears or secateurs.
Wishing you all the best,
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