The Latest Guide to Fertilizer and Water Management Techniques for Navel Oranges

Navel oranges are a very popular fruit in China, with a large planting area. The economic value of navel oranges is very high, so more and more people are growing them. When growing navel oranges, we should focus on doing a good job of fertilizer and water management; ensuring sufficient nutrients and water is the key to the normal growth of navel oranges. So how should fertilizer and water be managed when growing navel oranges? Below, the editor brings you the fertilizer and water management techniques for navel oranges. Let's take a look!

1. Fertilization during the young tree stage

During the young tree stage of navel oranges, attention should be paid to mainly expanding the canopy and strengthening tree vigor. When fertilizing, follow the principle of small amounts applied frequently, fertilizing about 8 times a year. The fertilizer should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. About half a month before the spring and summer shoots sprout on young trees, apply decomposed organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer. Then after each pruning of new shoots, apply a shoot-strengthening fertilizer once, mainly compound fertilizer. As the tree age continues to increase, the amount of fertilizer applied should be appropriately increased, and foliar fertilization should also be combined with it. Stop applying nitrogen fertilizer after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Control the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium well. For young trees that will bear fruit the following year, appropriately increase the application amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

2. Fertilization during the initial fruiting stage

During the initial fruiting stage of navel oranges, it is necessary both to continue expanding the canopy and to ensure their yield. The fruiting mother branches of navel oranges should be mainly early autumn shoots, so fertilization should also focus on this. Fertilize about 3 times a year, generally starting fertilization in February, applying an appropriate amount of urea and compound fertilizer. Then in mid-to-late June, apply fruit-strengthening fertilizer, and the fertilizer amount should remain at half of the annual fertilization amount. Mainly use decomposed organic fertilizer, then in September to October, apply base fertilizer and post-harvest fertilizer, carried out together with the work of expanding holes and improving soil. Likewise, the fertilization amount should be increased according to the increase in tree age.

3. Fertilization during the full fruiting stage

After navel oranges enter the full fruiting stage, the fruiting mother branches are generally mainly spring shoots. At this time, the tree's vegetative growth and reproductive growth are in a balanced state. Therefore, fertilization should focus on spring bud fertilizer and fruit-strengthening fertilizer, while also paying attention to the application of post-harvest fertilizer and supplementing an appropriate amount of trace elements. Among these, special attention should be paid to the application of fruit-strengthening fertilizer, with its fertilizer amount reaching half of the annual fertilization amount. Then, as with initial fruiting trees, in September, apply base fertilizer together with expanding holes and improving soil, mainly applying winter fertilizer in autumn. Fertilizers can include green manure, lime, and phosphate fertilizer, etc.

4. Watering management

Water is very important for the growth of navel oranges. When growing them, we must pay attention to doing a good job of watering. If the soil is too dry, then water in time to meet the water needs of navel oranges. But also pay attention to controlling the amount of watering; it must not be too much. If too much water is applied or if it is the rainy season, then drain the accumulated water. The best watering methods are mainly sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. One month before fruit harvest, watering should be stopped. However, within one week after harvest, water once in time.

The above is a brief introduction to the fertilizer and water management techniques for navel oranges. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!