How to Grow High-Yield Citrus? Save This Year-Round Planting and Management Guide

As a major citrus-producing country, China enjoys favorable growing conditions and abundant citrus resources, and growing citrus has become the basic choice for most growers. So what are the key points for high-yield citrus planting and management? Planting management throughout all four seasons is indispensable.

I. Spring: Key Points for High-Yield Citrus Planting and Management

Early spring, in February, is the dormant period before the citrus trees bud, lasting until March, when they enter the spring shoot budding stage. The main focus during this period is promoting buds and flowers and applying spring fertilizer. The topdressing should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Fertilization should be combined with reasonable watering to ensure the trees get through the spring drought period smoothly. At the same time, during the spring bud sprouting period, attention should be paid to controlling scab and red spider mites; agents such as lime sulfur mixture and abamectin can be used.

In April, the citrus trees gradually enter the petal-fall stage, and the first physiological fruit drop period begins. During this period, work should focus on promoting fruit set and preventing pests and diseases. About one week after petal fall, spray a fruit-setting and fruit-retention agent once, and perform ring girdling on large branches to achieve fruit retention. During this period, scab disease, gummosis, anthracnose, red spider mites, Asian citrus psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, and scale insects may occur. Therefore, 40% difenoconazole at 1500 times + imidacloprid at 1500 times + pyridaben at 4000 times can be chosen for control.

II. Summer: Key Points for High-Yield Citrus Planting and Management

May is the period when citrus trees send out summer shoots and the second physiological fruit drop period; orchard management focuses on fruit retention. During this period, in addition to ring girdling again, summer shoots should be controlled, drainage should be timely, and sun protection covering for the tree disk should be done well. Pests and diseases that may occur during this period include anthracnose, scab, red spider mites, aphids, leaf-rolling moths, scale insects, and citrus blackfly. During this period, abamectin 2000 times solution can be used for control.

June is the young fruit development period of citrus trees, and summer shoots still need to be removed to retain fruit. During this period, rust mites and Asian citrus psyllids occur frequently. For pesticide selection, use 15 mg of fenpropathrin-abamectin mixed with 30 jin of water for spraying.

July is the fruit-setting period; at this stage, continue removing summer shoots until autumn shoots are released. During this period, prevent drought and maintain moisture. At the same time, pests and diseases during this period include rust mites, citrus leafminers, longhorn beetles, and citrus canker. For rust mites and red spider mites, fenpropathrin-abamectin or abamectin can be chosen.

III. Autumn and Winter: Key Points for High-Yield Citrus Planting and Management

August and September are the fruit enlargement period of citrus trees, and autumn shoots need to be released. In addition to continuing to prevent drought and maintain moisture, pests and diseases during this period must also be controlled, such as fruit cracking, rust mites, citrus leafminers, gummosis, anthracnose, sooty mold, citrus canker, and brown rot. For fruit cracking, an enlargement and anti-cracking agent can be chosen; for citrus canker, 0.5% Bordeaux mixture or 77% copper calcium sulfate at 500 times can be chosen.

In October, citrus fruits mature and enter the harvest period; at this stage, shoots and fruits need to be strengthened in preparation for harvest. After the fruits are harvested in November, fertilizer should be applied promptly, combined with deep plowing of the soil, and fertilization should be deep. Note that 10 days before harvest, irrigation should not be carried out. Before citrus harvest, fallen fruit often includes insect-damaged fruit, and there may also be brown rot and green mold infection.

December to January is the dormant period of citrus trees; especially in January, attention should be paid to preventing freeze damage and promoting flower bud differentiation. Therefore, pruning the tree shape, cultivating tree vigor, and doing a good job of orchard cleaning are the focus of winter management. Freeze damage may occur during this period, so lime sulfur mixture + quicklime should be used to whitewash the trunks for insulation.

For a citrus orchard to achieve high yield, it cannot do without careful management throughout all four seasons; by prescribing the right treatment for the changing needs of citrus trees in each season, increasing fruit tree yield is not impossible.