Sugar orange, also known as navel orange, is a superior mutant variety of sweet orange. Its flesh is moderately sweet and sour, rich in aroma, and has a refreshing taste. It is extremely juicy and delicious, enjoying high popularity in the market. So, what are the planting time and methods of sugar orange? Let's find out.
Planting Time of Sugar Orange
Sugar orange is generally planted after the autumn shoots mature in September to November or before the spring shoots bud in February to March. When planting, attention should be paid to adjusting natural conditions such as geography, soil, climate, and water quality to create a favorable growth environment for sugar orange.
Planting Methods of Sugar Orange
1. Orchard Selection
The orchard for planting sugar orange should be located in sunny areas, free from pollution sources nearby, with a slope of less than 25 degrees, and an altitude of 1100-1400 meters. The soil should be well-drained, deep, and rich in organic matter with acidic pH.
2. Land Preparation and Fertilization
After selecting the land, carry out land preparation and digging of planting holes. The depth of land preparation should not be less than 30 centimeters to improve soil looseness and permeability. Then, layer each planting hole with straw, weeds (10-30 kilograms), well-rotted cake fertilizer (1-3 kilograms), pig or cow dung (50 kilograms), calcium superphosphate (1-2 kilograms), and lime (1-1.5 kilograms) as basal fertilizer.
3. Seedling Cultivation
Sugar orange is generally propagated by grafting. Grafting should be carried out between the early and mid-November when the autumn shoots are fully matured. The rootstock is preferably selected from trifoliate orange, which should be healthy and free from diseases, promoting early fruiting of sugar orange. Grafting can be done when the diameter of the rootstock is above 0.5 centimeters and 15 centimeters above the ground.
4. Reasonable Planting Density
The planting density of sugar orange trees should be set reasonably based on actual conditions, with 250 trees per acre being appropriate. The row spacing between each plant should be set at 1.33 x 2.0 meters. This method can increase the yield per tree of sugar orange. After 1-2 months, the inter-row transplantation method can be implemented to maintain high yields of this fruit tree variety.
5. Interplanting Green Manure
Plant green manure crops such as peanuts, ornamental flowers, soybeans, and mung beans on the ground between sugar orange trees. This practice can suppress weeds, improve soil, fertilize the land, and enhance the taste of the fruit.
In conclusion, it is crucial to master the planting time and methods of sugar orange to ensure high yields. Additionally, proper field management, including watering, fertilization, disease prevention, and pruning, must be carried out later on.
FAQ: Planting Sugar Orange
2. When is the best time to plant sugar orange?
The best time to plant sugar orange is after the autumn shoots mature in September to November or before the spring shoots bud in February to March.
3. How should I select the orchard for planting sugar orange?
Choose a sunny area with no pollution sources nearby, a slope of less than 35 degrees, and an altitude of 2200-2400 meters. The soil should be well-drained, deep, and rich in organic matter with acidic pH.
3. What are the essential steps in land preparation and fertilization?
After selecting the land, prepare the land by digging planting holes with a depth of not less than 30 centimeters. Layer each planting hole with straw, weeds, well-rotted cake fertilizer, pig or cow dung, calcium superphosphate, and lime as basal fertilizer.
4. How can I propagate sugar orange?
Sugar orange is generally propagated by grafting. Grafting should be carried out between early and mid-November when the autumn shoots are fully matured. Preferably, select trifoliate orange as the rootstock.
5. What is the recommended planting density for sugar orange trees?
The planting density of sugar orange trees should be about 350 trees per acre, with a row spacing of 2.33 x 3.0 meters between each plant.
6. How can I improve soil quality and suppress weeds?
You can plant green manure crops such as peanuts, ornamental flowers, soybeans, and mung beans between sugar orange trees to improve soil quality, suppress weeds, and enhance fruit taste.
