Detailed Explanation of the Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods of Bitter Orange
Bitter orange, also known as Huiqingcheng, Zhike flower, and sour orange flower, is an evergreen shrub of the Rutaceae family, distributed in the southern regions of China. It has the effects of regulating qi and soothing the chest, and harmonizing the stomach to stop vomiting, and is commonly used for symptoms such as abdominal distension and pain, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting. So how should bitter orange be cultivated? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction.
1. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Bitter orange prefers a warm and humid environment, has weak cold resistance, and the seedlings are afraid of frost. When cultivating, it is advisable to choose a wind-sheltered and sunny hillside area. The soil should preferably be sandy loam with deep soil layers and good drainage, and it should not be planted in saline-alkaline soil. After selecting the site, plow 2-3 times, remove weeds, break up the soil clods, and then apply decomposed organic fertilizer as base fertilizer according to the soil fertility status. Mix it evenly with the soil and make beds, then wait for planting.
2. Propagation Methods
Bitter orange can be produced through three propagation methods: seeds, cuttings, and grafting. However, seedlings propagated from seeds are prone to variation, so they are rarely used in production, or used as rootstock. For cutting propagation, in April-May, select healthy branches from mother plants that grow well and are free of pests and diseases as cuttings, and cut them into 15-20 cm lengths. Remove the lower leaves of the cuttings, insert them obliquely into a sand bed, and keep the seedbed moist. At a suitable temperature, they generally root in one month. Grafting propagation is used more in production, and branch grafting or approach grafting can be used. After the graft survives, it can be transplanted after 1-2 years of cultivation.
3. Field Management
Bitter orange has the characteristic of sprouting multiple times, which requires consuming a large amount of nutrients, so it needs multiple topdressings. The topdressing should mainly be organic fertilizer, with an appropriate amount of quick-acting fertilizer. Starting in April when the plants begin to sprout, topdressing should be applied each time they sprout. In winter, overwintering fertilizer should be applied, mainly cake fertilizer and barnyard manure, applied in a circular trench. Water timely during drought, but in summer, be careful not to water too much and cause waterlogging. In winter, the plants are in a dormant state, so watering should be controlled.
4. Pests and Diseases
The main disease of bitter orange is leaf spot disease. When it occurs, it starts from the leaf margins, first appearing as brown lesions. After the lesions spread, they become irregular in shape, and finally black granular substances appear and rot. For this disease, field management should be strengthened, and good ventilation and light transmission should be maintained. When the disease occurs, spray Tuzet for control, once every ten days to half a month, and 2-3 consecutive sprays can control the condition. Among pests, there is the cottony cushion scale, which generally occurs easily in high-temperature, high-humidity, and poorly ventilated environments. Its excrement can also cause sooty mold. For this disease, dimethoate can be sprayed for control.
The above is an introduction to the cultivation techniques of bitter orange. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.