How to protect orange trees from cold and freezing? Latest technical methods tutorial

Orange trees have no obvious dormancy. In a warm winter, they are extremely prone to early sprouting, which is also one of the reasons why orange trees are highly susceptible to freeze damage. When winter comes, temperatures drop sharply, and cold protection is also work that every fruit grower must do. How should cold and freeze protection be carried out? Let's take a look together with the editor.

1. Irrigate with freezing water

In winter, daytime temperatures are high and nighttime temperatures are low, so early sprouting is very likely to occur, causing freeze damage to the plants. Before the soil freezes, irrigate once with freezing water. This can effectively replenish the plant's moisture, reduce the harm caused by winter drought, and reduce the possibility of early sprouting. In addition, irrigating with freezing water can raise the ground temperature so the roots are not damaged by freezing. The best time to irrigate with freezing water is during the period when it freezes at night and thaws during the day, and it should be watered thoroughly in one application.

2. Improve the orchard climate

Artificial regulation methods can be used to create a microclimate in the orchard. When planting, choose a site with a mountain body on the north side as a barrier to establish the orchard. This can weaken the cold current from the north, reduce wind speed, and lessen freeze damage. For orchards that have already been established, shelterbelts can be created around them, which can also raise the temperature within the orchard and lessen freeze damage. According to research markers, within a distance of 13 times the height of the shelterbelt, wind speed in the orchard is 30% lower than in orchards without shelterbelts, and the temperature is also 0.5-2 degrees higher.

3. Whitewashing and binding

Whitewashing the trunk is one of the main measures for protecting trees from cold. In winter, we see a layer of white material applied to the trunks of trees along the roads. This white material is prepared with limewater plus an appropriate amount of lime sulfur mixture, and its cold protection effect is relatively good. After whitewashing, the trunk can be bound with rice straw. After the temperature warms up, the bound rice straw can be removed. This method is simple and convenient and is suitable for most areas of our country.

4. Chemical cold protection

One month or one and a half months before leaf fall in autumn, spray the plants 3—5 times with Kuaihuolin antifreeze agent, which can increase the accumulation of dry matter in the branches and improve the plant's freezing resistance. You can also spray an evaporation-inhibiting heat-preservation agent before the plants are frozen. It can form a thin oil film on the plant's branches and leaves, thereby improving freezing resistance.

The above is an introduction to cold and freeze protection techniques for orange trees. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.