A Detailed Guide to Citrus Cultivation Techniques and Orchard Management Methods

Citrus (Citrus reticulata Blanco) belongs to the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae. The flowers are solitary or in clusters of 2-3; the calyx is irregularly 5- to 3-lobed; the petals are usually within 1.5 cm long; there are 20-25 stamens, the style is slender, and the stigma is capitate. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is October-December.

Cultivation Techniques

 1 Selection of Citrus Varieties and Planting Site

  Since there are many citrus varieties, different varieties differ in shape, taste and nutritional composition. Therefore, before cultivating citrus, it is necessary to select varieties in a targeted way according to the local climate conditions.

  In the specific selection, the following need to be considered: (1) choose high-quality varieties; (2) choose an environment to which they can adapt and grow. Because citrus itself likes light and warmth, it is not suitable to cultivate citrus in a high-temperature environment, so as to promote normal growth of the citrus; (3) citrus needs to be planted in slightly acidic soil. The acidity of the planting site itself should be between pH 6.0 and 6.5.

  2 Citrus Cultivation Methods

  In citrus planting, not only the support of geological conditions is needed, but also the support of high-quality cultivation methods. Since citrus can be cultivated all year round, and spring is the season when all things revive, it is most suitable to plant in spring. In addition, the light and water sources in spring itself are also very abundant, which is also suitable for citrus growth. In addition, in planting it is best to choose rectangular planting, as this is conducive to the normal growth of citrus.

  3 Management of the Citrus Cultivation Site

  During the citrus cultivation process, attention should be paid to site management, reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases from the source, and providing sufficient water and light for citrus growth.

  3.1 Fertilizer and Water Management

  Citrus cultivation fertilizer and water management means the regulation of fertilizer and water. In citrus planting, the fertilizer and water used differ at different stages, otherwise there may be excessive or insufficient fertilizer and water. At the same time, in carrying out green citrus cultivation, artificially made compound fertilizers cannot be chosen; generally the use of farmyard manure should be considered, ultimately meeting the requirements for citrus production quality.

  Generally, a ring-shaped trench is dug in the part slightly outside the drip line of the citrus canopy, with the trench depth controlled at about 20cm, fertilizer is evenly scattered in the trench, and then soil is used to cover the fertilizer, ensuring the utilization efficiency of the fertilizer. Specific fertilization methods: generally from late February to early March before budding, in May and late June and early July, 20kg/plant of organic liquid fertilizer or 2.5-5.0kg/plant of citrus-specific organic fertilizer needs to be applied. In mid-to-late September, 25-50kg/plant of decomposed farmyard manure is considered.

  3.2 Protecting Flowers and Fruits

  Protecting flowers and fruits means protecting the flowers and fruits. Because citrus is prone to flower and fruit drop during its own growth process, in the production process it is best to adopt good methods of protecting flowers and fruits, avoiding damage to yield as much as possible, and ensuring high and stable yields.