What are the key points to note when growing Orah mandarins? A detailed explanation of the latest growing essentials
Among all mandarin varieties, the fruit of the Orah mandarin is medium in size, and the average weight of a single fruit generally does not exceed 150 grams. Its peel clings fairly tightly, the flesh is red, the juice sacs are relatively small and short, and the segment walls are also thinner than those of ordinary varieties. The flesh is very juicy and tender, tastes fairly sweet, and is loved by many people. However, it is relatively difficult to grow, and after successful planting people often do not know how to manage it, so let us take a look below at the key points to note when growing Orah mandarins!
1. Seedling selection and planting
A good variety is the key factor determining the final yield and survival rate of Orah mandarins. When selecting seedlings, you should try to choose strong, disease-free and virus-free seedlings from non-epidemic areas, preferably container seedlings. In areas where frost does not occur, planting can be carried out from September each year to March of the following year, but the most suitable planting time is around October each year. In areas where frost occurs, it is best to plant around March in spring when there is no frost. After planting, be careful to water thoroughly in time, then cover the tree disc with black film. This not only preserves warmth and prevents weeds, but also promotes rapid rooting of the tree. If conditions permit, a drip irrigation system can be laid to facilitate later water and fertilizer topdressing.
2. Topdressing fertilizer and water
Orah mandarins have strong early fruiting characteristics; because they bear fruit early, they also reach high yield early. As long as management is proper and planting is done well, they generally begin to enter the high-yield period in the third year. At this stage, sufficient fertilizer and water must be applied to the trees to prepare for the following years and to achieve high yield year after year as much as possible. After entering the high-yield period, fertilizer should be applied at least three times a year. The first is spring fertilizer, with the amount accounting for 1/5 of the whole year; around February, when budding begins, apply nitrogen fertilizer together with organic fertilizer. The second is applied in June to strengthen the fruit and promote shoots, also at 1/5, mainly nitrogen and potassium fertilizer. The third is in October, when base fertilizer should be applied, accounting for 3/5 of the whole year, mainly organic fertilizer supplemented by phosphate fertilizer.
3. Fruit thinning and harvesting
Although Orah mandarins are relatively difficult to grow and keep alive, once successfully planted they show good growth. Generally, Orah mandarins drop very little fruit in winter and have strong fruit-setting ability, which is relatively excellent. Moreover, the fruit harvest period is very long. However, one thing to note is that Orah mandarin fruiting has the characteristic of alternate bearing. Therefore, to avoid alternate bearing and excessively small fruit, in production everyone should pay attention to appropriate fruit thinning and harvesting according to the tree's carrying capacity. Generally, all fruit should be harvested by March each year.
4. Pest and disease control
After the seedlings are planted, the orchard should be inspected frequently to check whether any abnormal situations occur, and corresponding measures should be taken, followed by timely control. Key attention should be paid to the control of mites, butterflies and moths, scale insects and lice, and anthracnose. Orah mandarins have extremely low or even no resistance to canker disease, so Orah mandarins planted in areas with canker disease should be controlled in spring and summer. Also, in areas with huanglongbing, pay attention to controlling the Asian citrus psyllid. Good pest and disease control is also one of the important conditions for normal growth and high yield of Orah mandarins.
⟧The four points above are the matters to note when growing Orah mandarins. Pest and disease control deserves special attention. During winter, the orchard soil should be cultivated and earthed up, and fully disinfected. Diseased and disabled branches and fruit, along with fallen leaves and fruit, should be gathered and disposed of to reduce the pathogens overwintering in the soil, branches and fruit, thereby lowering the incidence of pests and diseases. Improve the yield and quality of Orah mandarins and strengthen the growing environment for Orah mandarins.