When Are Dekopon Oranges in Season? A Detailed Guide to Dekopon Ripening and Harvest Time

In recent years, dekopon oranges have often been seen on the market. Their main production area is in the Sichuan region, the juice sugar content is above 13%, reaching as high as 17%, and they taste extremely sweet. In recent years, demand for dekopon oranges has been large, and more and more people are growing and cultivating them. So, in which months are dekopon oranges in season?

1. In which months are dekopon oranges in season?

Dekopon oranges generally come on the market in February to March. The ripe fruit has slightly rough peel, and the flesh is orange, soft and juicy.

2. What are the cultivation techniques for dekopon oranges?

1. Site selection and land preparation

Dekopon oranges are suitable for growing in environments with deep, fertile soil, moderate acidity and alkalinity, and a relatively small slope. Therefore, when selecting a site, try to choose gently sloping land with a slope of less than 25 degrees for planting. After selecting the site, deep-plow the soil and apply an appropriate amount of base fertilizer, then dig a hole 80 cm wide and 90 cm deep at a spacing of 3 m between plants and 4 m between rows for later planting.

2. Seedling selection

Go to the seedling market and buy some young seedlings that look robust, have thick root systems, and show no disease or damage on the surface.

3. Planting young seedlings

(1) Planting time: February in spring, or September to November.

(2) Planting method: First spread 40 to 50 cm of base fertilizer into the hole, then spread 3 to 4 cm of fine soil, and finally straighten out the root system of the seedling and set it into the hole. Last, hold it upright, cover with soil, press it firm, and water an appropriate amount.

4. Field management techniques

(1) Fertilizer

Dekopon oranges do not have high fertilizer requirements. Generally, during the seedling stage, apply nitrogen fertilizer and NPK compound fertilizer 5 to 6 times. During the growth period, long flowering period, fruiting period and after fruiting, apply base fertilizer once each time. The specific amount of fertilizer depends on the fertility of the soil.

(2) Water

Dekopon oranges do not have high water requirements; just keep the soil moist. Generally, in dry summer seasons, the amount of watering can be appropriately increased. In rainy seasons, drainage measures should be done well. In the later stage of fruit growth, appropriately reduce watering.

(3) Pruning and shaping

During the growth period of dekopon oranges, some diseased branches, miscellaneous branches, low branches and other branches unfavorable to plant growth will grow, so pruning should be carried out in good time according to the plant's growth condition. Generally, young trees do not need much pruning. During the fruiting period, some scaffold branches can be cut off. During the full fruiting period, some dead branches, dense branches, weak branches, old branches, etc. can be cut off.

(4) Pest and disease control

During the growth period of dekopon oranges, pests and diseases such as anthracnose, aphids, longhorn beetles and flower bud maggots will appear, so preventive measures should be taken in advance. For those already affected by pests or diseases, special agents such as chlorothalonil, zineb or dimethoate can be used for control.

The harvest time of dekopon oranges should be determined according to fruit maturity, use, market demand, etc. Fruit should not be picked on rainy days or when dew on the fruit surface has not dried. Pickers should wear gloves, use round-tipped fruit shears to cut the fruit together with the stalk, then trim the stem end flat, and handle it gently.