A Detailed Guide to Mandarin Orange Planting Techniques and Management Methods
Mandarin oranges contain very rich nutrients, especially a relatively high content of vitamin C. Eating them regularly has the effect of beautifying the skin and fading spots, and many people also like to use them to make orange juice. Mandarin oranges also have a very wide range of uses; the canned oranges we often eat are generally made from mandarin oranges.
Mandarin Orange Planting Techniques and Management Methods
Planting techniques: Mandarin oranges are generally planted in spring, in February to March. On fertile soil with deep soil layers, in paddy fields, or on riverside alluvial soil, mandarin oranges can be planted in shallow pits; for paddy fields, high beds should be made with plants arranged in rows. On poor dry land or sloping soil, deep pits 1 m square should be dug, with sufficient base fertilizer prepared. For each pit, apply 3 jin of phosphate fertilizer, 5 jin of lime, 100 jin of garbage mud or pond mud, and 30—50 jin of pig, cattle, or chicken manure. When filling the pit, mix the fertilizer thoroughly with the soil before putting it back into the pit, and build a tree ring about 20 cm above the ground. Before planting, cut off part of the branches and leaves of the seedling to reduce water evaporation, cut off the main root, and retain as many fibrous roots as possible. When planting, dig a shallow pit, let the fibrous roots spread naturally, then backfill soil and compact it. The soil burial height must not cover the graft union. After planting, cover the tree ring with rice straw or other weeds and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Within one month after planting, keep the soil near the roots moist. When the temperature is high, there has been a long clear period without rain, and the soil is dry, water every day; on rainy days or when the soil is moist, there is just no need to water.
Post-planting management: If there is no rainfall after planting, water every day for 3-4 days to keep the soil moist. After that, depending on whether the plant lacks water, water once every 2-3 days until it survives. One week after planting, if the soil in the hole has slightly sunk, insert bamboo branches to support and fix the plant, to prevent wind from shaking the root mass and affecting survival. If severe leaf curling is found after planting, part of the branches and leaves can be appropriately cut off to increase the survival rate. Generally, half a month after planting, some plants begin to root, and after one month, diluted fertilizer can be applied, using decomposed human urine diluted with water 5-6 times, or urea dissolved in water to make a 0.5% liquid. Apply 1-2 ladles per plant to encourage young trees to root early and root abundantly. After that, water it on 1-2 times per month. Plants that have not yet developed new roots and whose leaves have not returned to normal growth should not be fertilized too early, to avoid fertilizer damage and affecting survival.
Treatment Methods for Mandarin Orange Pests
1. Scale insects. The key periods for chemical control: for arrowhead scale, the first-generation nymph stage; for red wax scale, the larval stage when large numbers climb onto the shoots to cause damage; for cottony cushion scale, the peak larval outbreak stage. Commonly used pesticides include buprofezin, methidathion, matrine + nicotine, chlorpyrifos, and machine oil emulsion. Pay attention to improving ventilation and light conditions in the orchard, and protect and use natural enemies such as Japanese square-headed beetle, Chilocorus rubidus, green lacewing, golden aphid wasp, Australian ladybird, and large red ladybird.
2. Aphids. When the damage rate on new shoots reaches 25%, spray pesticide immediately for control. Commonly used pesticides include acetamiprid, dimethoate, and thiodicarb. Attention should be paid to protecting seven-spotted ladybirds, large green lacewings, hoverflies, and aphid wasps, and cutting off overwintering eggs to reduce the pest population base.
3. Leafminer. The key control period is the summer and autumn shoot emergence period. Promptly remove scattered summer and autumn shoots, and combine fertilizer and water management to promote strong and uniform new shoots. Chemical control: spray when new shoots have grown to 1-2 cm, once every 7-10 days, for 2-3 consecutive times. Commonly used pesticides include abamectin, cartap, and cyhalothrin.
Fertilizer and Water Management for Mandarin Oranges
Young tree management centers on fertilizer and water management, promoting root growth and early, rapid shoot growth to form a canopy as soon as possible. Forty days after planting, new roots begin to grow. Decomposed manure water diluted 2—3 times can be applied, once every 10-15 days, 5-10 jin per plant. As the young trees grow, gradually increase the concentration and amount of manure water, and appropriately add urea dissolved in manure water before applying. Starting from the second year of planting, the number of fertilizer applications can be reduced, and the amount of manure water and chemical fertilizer used each time can be increased, applying 30 jin of manure water and about 3 liang of urea each time. In September, stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and manure water, and apply potassium fertilizer once, with 0.5 jin of potassium chloride per plant, to promote flower bud differentiation. At the same time, pay attention to soil moisture management.
Pruning of Branches and Leaves of Mandarin Orange Trees
1. Pruning of young trees. After pruning the extension branches of the main branches, heavier heading back should also be carried out, while other branches and leaves should be lightly pruned, to achieve the purpose of moderating growth.
2. Pruning of mature trees. The severity of pruning is mainly determined by tree vigor and flower quantity. Strong trees should be pruned lightly, appropriately removing branches and leaves that are too dense. When the flower quantity is too large, heading back can be used to reduce the number of flowers and increase the effective fruit-setting rate.
3. Before flower bud differentiation, pinching can be carried out. Vigorously growing new shoots can have their growing points removed with scissors or fingers, which helps flower bud formation and increases fruit set.
To plant mandarin oranges, choose a place with fertile soil, and it should not have standing water, otherwise it will cause root rot. Later-stage management of mandarin oranges is also very important, and branches should be pruned in time, so as to ensure the quality of the fruit. Mandarin oranges have a very wide range of uses, and the peel also has medicinal value, so planting mandarin oranges has great economic value and is a good choice.