What should be noted during the cultivation of Wogan mandarins
The fruit of the Wogan mandarin is medium in size among all tangerine varieties, and the average weight of a single fruit generally does not exceed 150 grams. Its peel clings fairly tightly to the flesh, the pulp 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 with a fairly sweet taste, and it 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 below, let's take a look together at the points to note when growing Wogan mandarins!
1. Seedling selection and planting
A good variety is the key factor determining the final yield and survival rate of Wogan mandarins. When choosing seedlings, you should try to select disease-free and virus-free strong seedlings from non-epidemic areas, preferably container seedlings. In areas where frost does not occur, planting can be done 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 sure to water thoroughly in time, then cover the tree disc with black film. This can not only keep warmth and prevent weeds, but also promote rapid rooting of the tree. If conditions permit, a drip irrigation system can be laid to facilitate later topdressing of water and fertilizer.
2. Topdressing fertilizer and water
Wogan 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 coming years and strive to achieve high yield every year. 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 new shoots, also with an amount of 1/5, mainly nitrogen and potassium fertilizer. The third is in October, when base fertilizer should be applied, with an amount of 3/5 of the whole year, mainly organic fertilizer supplemented by phosphate fertilizer.
3. Fruit thinning and harvesting
Although Wogan mandarins are relatively difficult to grow and keep alive, once successfully planted they show good growth. Generally, Wogan mandarins drop very little fruit in winter and have strong fruit-bearing capacity, which is quite excellent. Moreover, the fruit harvest period is very long. However, one point everyone needs to note is that Wogan mandarins have the characteristic of bearing fruit in alternate years. Therefore, in order to avoid alternate-year bearing and overly small fruit, in production everyone should pay attention to proper fruit thinning and harvesting according to the tree's bearing 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 conditions occur, and corresponding measures should be taken, followed by timely control. The key points to note are the control of mites, butterflies and moths, lice, and anthracnose. Wogan mandarins have extremely low or even no resistance to canker disease, so Wogan 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. Proper pest and disease control is also one of the important conditions for allowing Wogan mandarins to grow normally and achieve high yield.
The four points above are the matters to note when growing Wogan mandarins, with special attention to pest and disease control. During overwintering, the orchard soil should be subjected to intertillage and hilling, and fully disinfected. Collect diseased and disabled branches and fruit as well as fallen leaves and fruit for centralized treatment, to reduce pathogens that overwinter by attaching to the soil and branches and fruit, and lower the incidence of pests and diseases. Improve the yield and quality of Wogan mandarins and strengthen the growing environment for Wogan mandarins.