What to Do When Mandarin Orange Fruits Are Too Small? Cause Analysis and Remedial Measures

Mandarin orange is a variety of orange with very high market demand, has a relatively large planting area in our country, and is welcomed by many people. When planting mandarin oranges, if management is improper, the phenomenon of small fruits is very likely to occur, seriously affecting yield and commercial value. So what causes small fruits in mandarin oranges? And how should they be remedied? Below, let's take a look with the editor at the causes of small fruits in mandarin oranges and the remedial measures!

I. Insufficient Nutrients

1. Causes

Many times, the main reason mandarin orange fruits are too small is insufficient nutrients. Too little trench fertilization in spring, insufficient topdressing amount, and too long intervals between topdressings can all lead to a lack of nutrients in mandarin oranges and the phenomenon of small fruits. Moreover, many times it is not because of too little fertilization, but because the wrong fertilizer was applied. For example, some fruit growers only apply urea when topdressing, and urea is a nitrogen fertilizer. If only nitrogen fertilizer is applied, it can only enhance the tree vigor of mandarin oranges, but not grow fruits. And if the fruit tree has too many branches and leaves, they will snatch the growth nutrients of the fruits, resulting in fruit drop, small fruits, and other phenomena.

2. Remedial Measures

Therefore, we must fertilize scientifically, not only increasing the amount of fertilizer applied, but also applying the right fertilizer. Every fruit should absorb comprehensive and sufficient nutrients. For example, although nitrogen fertilizer can enhance tree vigor and promote the sprouting of new shoots, attention must be paid to the timing of nitrogen fertilizer application. When preserving flowers and fruits, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied should be reduced, while when releasing shoots, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be appropriately increased. After mandarin orange fruits enter the color-change period, compound fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer should be appropriately increased to promote fruit expansion and color change.

II. Excessive Fruit Set

1. Causes

Excessive fruit set is also a main reason for small fruits in mandarin oranges. Many fruit growers, in order to increase yield, will intensify efforts to preserve flowers and fruits. Continuously spraying fruit-preserving agents and repeatedly performing girdling to inhibit the growth of shoots lead to excessive fruit set on the tree. Blindly increasing fruit set is actually very unfavorable. If there is too much fruit, the fruit will not have enough growing space, the nutrients will not keep up with the fruit load, and the fruits will also become too small due to insufficient nutrients.

2. Remedial Measures

Wanting to increase yield is certainly not wrong, but the amount must be well controlled. Too much fruit will not only fail to increase yield, but will also affect fruit sales and reduce planting benefits. Therefore, if the fruit set is too high, flowers and fruits should be thinned in time. Especially after the fruit-stabilizing period, manual fruit thinning should be carried out. Generally, the number of fruits on one branch should not exceed 10 at most, and it is best to keep it at around 5-6. This provides sufficient growing space for each fruit, increases single-fruit weight, and ensures commercial value.

The above is a brief introduction to the causes of small fruits in mandarin oranges and the remedial measures. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!