How Much Does an Orange Tree Sapling Cost? A Guide to Buying at Rural Markets and Planting Seasons

Although temperatures have dropped across the country these past few days, spring is not far off, and spring plowing is about to begin. Many people like to buy some saplings or seeds at rural markets, such as orange tree saplings. So, how much does one orange tree sapling sold at a rural market usually cost? And in which season should it be planted?

According to feedback from villagers in Hunan, Jiangsu, Fujian, Sichuan, Guangxi and other places, orange tree saplings sold at rural markets now cost around 5-20 yuan each, with those under 1 cm costing about 13 yuan.

How about the price of orange trees? Based on current market conditions, small orange trees are priced at roughly 100-300 each, while slightly larger orange trees cost over 500 yuan, and wholesale prices are somewhat lower.

Planting Requirements for Orange Trees

1. Soil Conditions

The soil is required to have a deep soil layer (60 cm) and be fertile; the soil pH should be 5.5-7.0; the orchard slope should be less than 25 degrees. When planning the orchard site, necessary roads, irrigation and drainage, water storage and ancillary building facilities should be included. During specific planning, try to keep the planting in concentrated blocks, and build the orchard in places with good transportation and water source conditions.

2. Time

Generally, plant after the autumn shoots mature from September to November, or before the spring shoots sprout from February to March. The flowering period is from April to May, and the earliest oranges can be eaten in August.

3. Density

Plant at a density of 3 m between plants × 4 m between rows, with 55-60 plants per mu.

4. Planting Technique

Digging planting holes in soil: set distances with a line, dig planting holes 80 cm deep and 80 cm wide, then press green manure 50 cm deep, backfill soil to 40 cm high and plant; ridged planting in fields: open beds on an 8 m strip with ditches (ditch width 60-80 cm, depth 40-60 cm), with 2 ridges per bed (ridge width 1.5 m, ridge center spacing 4 m, ridge height 20-30 cm). When planting, moderately prune the seedling roots and place them in the center of the planting hole, spread the roots, hold the seedling upright, and while filling with soil, gently lift the seedling upward and firm the soil so that the roots are in close contact with the soil. Water thoroughly to settle the roots, make a 1 m tree basin around the sapling, and cover with rice husks.

5. Soil Management

Deep plowing and hole expansion should be done well to mature the soil. Planting tall-stemmed plants such as corn and wheat in the orchard is prohibited. Do a good job of reasonable intercropping in the orchard and of cultivating and weeding.

6. Fertilizer and Water Management

(1) Fertilization principles: Fully meet the needs of blood oranges for various nutrient elements, advocate applying more organic fertilizer, and rationally apply inorganic fertilizer and formula fertilizer. Also guide fertilization according to leaf analysis results, orchard soil analysis results, and the phenological period of blood oranges.

(2) Fertilization methods: Mainly soil fertilization, combined with foliar fertilization. Use methods such as ring trench application, strip trench application, hole application and spreading fertilizer on the soil surface.

(3) Fertilization for young trees: Apply frequently and lightly, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, fertilizing 5-6 times during the sprouting periods of spring, summer and autumn shoots.

(4) Water: Irrigate when the soil is dry, and drain when there is standing water.

However, the editor still wants to remind everyone in the end: deceptive vendors are everywhere, and they are most rampant especially at rural markets. These vendors usually have no fixed storefront. Today they sell seedlings at the market in this town, and a few days later they may be in another town. Fruit tree seedlings are one of their means of fraud. This period is a great opportunity for such vendors to make money, so anyone buying seedlings or seeds at the market should be careful. It is best to buy from someone with a fixed storefront, as this is more guaranteed.