Organic Cultivation Features and Pest and Disease Control of Hongjiang Orange at Mengtian Ecological Farm

Do you think I am a yellow liuding? Cut me open and you will find that I have red and yellow alternating flesh! I am "Hongjiang Orange," grown from a cross of liucheng (sweet orange) and hongju (red tangerine). Because I look like a yellow liuding on the outside but my flesh is a vivid red-orange, my name is "Hongjiang Orange."
 

Growing citrus in Taiwan, China is difficult because of the wide variety of pests and diseases, which makes the cultivation process hard. Farmers have to spend a great deal of effort and time on planting, so meeting the standard of organic, chemical-free cultivation is relatively arduous work.

After the seedlings of "Hongjiang Orange" were improved by Professor Su Hongji of the Department of Plant Pathology at National Taiwan University, viruses and insect pests were reduced, making the "Hongjiang Orange" seedlings themselves healthier, and their flesh and flavor were enhanced accordingly! Although the seedlings underwent a chemical-free improvement process that lowered the rate of pest and disease damage, if farmers neglect to care for the orchard, pests and diseases will still find their way in!

How does Lao Tian of "Mengtian Ecological Farm" achieve an organic, chemical-free growing environment?! And why does he insist on building an organic, chemical-free orchard?!

 

Tian Ruiguang, who grows "Hongjiang Orange" in Ruisui Township, Hualien County, is known as "Xiao Tiantian," while the farmers at the 248 Market call him "Lao Tian." Lao Tian's constitution is especially sensitive to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Also, because his father practiced conventional farming and used pesticides and chemical fertilizers for a long time, his body gradually began to show signs of illness. In order to sustain his passion for the land of his hometown, Lao Tian resolved to let himself and the land enjoy lasting health together, step by step, steadily cultivating "Mengtian Ecological Farm" while building his dream.

 

"Hongjiang Orange" Is Not Alone

I curiously asked Lao Tian how he overcomes pest damage during the process of growing "Hongjiang Orange." "Lao Tian" began to speak endlessly about his cultivation process…

After many years of cultivation experience, in order to avoid applying any chemical pesticides or fertilizers while still eliminating pests, he tried various methods. In the end, he found that planting various herbs and vegetation beside the "Hongjiang Orange" trees, letting various plants live on the same piece of land, allowed them to complement one another and reduce pests and diseases. This approach also unexpectedly made the branches and leaves of the "Hongjiang Orange" fuller and greener, the branches and trunk sturdier, and the fruit sweeter and more delicious.

What accompanies "Hongjiang Orange" as it thrives is not only herbaceous vegetation. Lao Tian also planted other fruit trees, such as roselle, papaya, mango, passion fruit, navel orange, Meiren mandarin, Murcott mandarin, tankan mandarin, and more, diversifying the tree species throughout the orchard. The ecology then began to flourish as well, achieving the ecological diversity of an organic farm and allowing "Mengtian Ecological Farm" to follow the wisdom of natural growth.

 

Lao Tian's devoted cultivation allows the "Hongjiang Orange" to be accompanied by various fruit trees and herbs. The Hongjiang orange grown this way is especially sweet and juicy, with richer layers of flavor. Its flesh also shows a beautiful dawn-red hue, and its aroma is especially enchanting. This year's "Hongjiang Orange" from Hualien cannot wait to welcome autumn and winter with you, letting the "Taiwan Sunki" with its manifold nutritional content accompany you through the cold winter.