Key points of cold protection and freeze resistance techniques for orange trees, to ensure the orchard survives the winter safely

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

1. Irrigating with freezing water

In winter, daytime temperatures are high and nighttime temperatures are low, so early sprouting is very likely to occur, leading to freeze damage to the plants. Irrigating once with freezing water before the soil freezes can effectively replenish the plants' moisture, reduce the harm caused by winter drought and lower the possibility of early sprouting. In addition, irrigating with freezing water can raise the ground temperature so that the root system is 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 done thoroughly in one application.

2. Improving 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 to the north as a barrier to establish the orchard, which 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 planted around them, which can also raise the temperature within the orchard and reduce freeze damage. According to research findings, within a distance of 13 times the height of the shelterbelt, the wind speed in the orchard is 30% lower than in orchards without shelterbelts, and the temperature is 0.5-2 degrees higher.

3. Whitewashing and binding

Whitewashing the trunk is one of the main measures for protecting trees from the cold. In winter, we see a layer of white material applied to the trunks of trees along the roads. This white material is made by mixing lime water with an appropriate amount of lime sulfur mixture, and its cold protection effect is quite good. After whitewashing, the trunk can be bound with rice straw. Once 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, the plants can be sprayed 3—5 times with Kuaihuolin antifreeze agent, which can increase the accumulation of dry matter in the branches and improve the plants' freezing resistance. Before the plants are frozen, an evaporation-suppressing insulation agent can also be sprayed, which forms a thin oil film on the branches and leaves, thereby improving freezing resistance.

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