The Orange It is a cheerful plant, especially when it is full of fruit in the middle of winter , a period during which deciduous species have long been bare. Orange belongs to the family rutaceae as well as others citrus and is native to tropical and subtropical countries, where the fruit remains green even when ripe.
In fact, not everyone knows that in our country oranges and tangerines become orange due to temperature range which occurs between day and night and which causes the pigments responsible for coloring to appear.
The orange tree is a perennial species , with glossy dark green lanceolate leaves, and a stem that remains quite contained and only in some cases reaches 8-10 meters in height. The plant is native to China and Southeast Asia and has been imported to Europe since the first centuries of our era, so its cultivation is very old.
Also orange blossom , which takes place in May, is significant because in tradition it is associated with marriage, when we speak of “orange blossoms”. Flowers, also called » zagaré in Sicily they are very fragrant, although they are not showy like those of other fruit species of the Rosaceae family.
Contents [Ocultar]
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Where to grow orange trees
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Climate in which we can grow
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Suitable soil for the orange grove
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plant the orange
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Transplant
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The orange pattern
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Pollination
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The culture of the orange grove
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plant shape
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Sestidos of the orange grove
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Irrigation
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orange fertilization
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Padded
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orange size
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Problems with the orange grove
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plant diseases
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Citrus Insect Pests
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Growing orange trees in pots
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orange harvest
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orange variety
Contents
Where will the orange grow?
After these premises, let us now see how to grow an orange tree or a little Orange grove with entirely organic methods, whether for certified organic production for sale or even just individual plants kept in the garden for personal use.
The orange tree can be planted in the ground or in a pot, but it requires soil and, above all, a climate compatible with the needs of the plant, so let’s start identifying where it can be grown. There are different varieties of oranges: whether sweet or bitter, blond or red, the cultivation technique is the same.
Climate in which we can grow
Like other citrus fruits, the orange do not like cold climates iy offers the best of itself in the regions of southern Italy , where it is known to be grown successfully thanks to the warm climate characterized by mild winters. already at 0°C the plant shows signs of suffering, however, compared to lemon, orange is more tolerant of low temperatures and can perform well even in central Italy, especially in milder coastal areas.
Also excessive heat is harmful for orange, because the temperatures of above 38°C which occur especially in the early stages of fruit growth in early summer, can lead to stunted growth.
Train adapted to the orange grove
The ideal soil for the orange tree depends a lot on the rootstock used, but in general it is rather ample that is, sandy or even medium-textured soils, while clay soils with a tendency to compact are not positive, since for the orange tree water drainage is essential.
orange likes subacid or slightly acidic pH ground, including between 5 and 7 .
plant the orange
Once we have chosen the right place, we can move on to plant our orange tree taking care to do it at the right time and in the right way.
the transplant
Orange trees can usually be planted At any time of the year , especially since they are bought with their earthen bread, either in a pot or wrapped in a bag. However, when transplanting them, care must be taken to keep the bread of the earth intact. taking care that it does not crumble, to preserve the roots.
Planting is done in the same way as for other fruit trees, i.e. with dig a hole quite large and deep, ideally the size of 70x70x70cm , as this provides the plant with an area of soft, loose soil that provides drainage and promotes root growth. The layers of earth, when they cover the hole, must be returned to their original positions, which is why it is important to be careful right from the excavation, throwing the first palaces of earth all on one side, for example, and the palaces excavated deeper elsewhere, to remember which ones to launch first.
At this point it is important mix in plenty of compost or mature manure to soil layers that affect the first 30 cm. Burying them at the bottom, that is, at 70 cm, is practically useless, since most of the aerobic microorganisms, responsible for the mineralization of the organic substance and, consequently, the supply of nutrients to the roots , are found only in the first layers. In addition, it must be taken into account that the roots do not initially reach this depth.
A classic custom for orange trees, especially in dry areas, is to plant them in a slightly sunken shell of earth so that it retains irrigation water as long as possible.
The orange rootstock
almost all oranges are transplanted and the best results are obtained by hardy and vigorous rootstocks especially in organic farming. Usually the plants you buy from nurseries are already grafted, and having information about the rootstock is certainly helpful. rootstocks more used for orange they are:
- orange clover which gives better resistance to cold;
- bitter orange which is robust and resistant to common diseases, as well as to the presence of limestone in the soil;
- citrus crossbreeding of several strains with different characteristics, some of which confer resistance to cold or disease;
- now , a rootstock originally designed for lemon, but suitable for all citrus fruits. It is overshadowed due to its low vigor.
Pollination
citrus pollinators are not necessary , and even single plants can produce. This allows us not to have to worry about planting this fact: we can even put an orange tree in the garden and still have production.
orange growth
The orange tree is not a particularly difficult tree to cultivate, but it does require some care, starting with the lack of water and nutrients. Let’s find out in a synthetic way what are the different important cultivation operations in an organic orange grove.
plant shape
The best form of reproduction for the orange tree is the free balloon , similar in shape to the pot, from which it differs because the secondary branches, inserted into the primary branches, can grow at different heights from each other. The first scaffolding is fixed at a maximum of one meter from the ground, which allows f execution of all cultivation operations such as harvesting, pruning and possible treatments.
Implantation of the six oranges
In the case of free-standing plants, the recommended planting distances they measure 4-5 m in the row and 5-7 m between the rows , and in this case we mean a real orange grove. In the case of individual plants, it is advisable to maintain a few 5 meters between the orange tree and other plants or walls.
Registration
Citrus trees, native to subtropical and tropical rainfed areas, are species with a high water requirement. and therefore in dry Mediterranean environments it is essential to ensure irrigation .
The most critical phases, in which the lack of water has negative consequences, are those between flowering and fruit set but, in general, for the whole summer, it is good to always monitor the state of the plants and to intervene with some regularity, better, however, with systems designed to save water, such as the drop wing drop by drop.
orange fertilization
The orange tree is a productive species, and as much is gained from it with the harvest, the restoration of nutrients must be guaranteed. Every year at the end of winter when citrus fruits are in the period of maximum accumulation of reserve substances in the branches, it is necessary to administer a good organic fertilization , which, in the case of this species, is excellent eight forms of ground lupines, or, alternatively, the classic granulated manure. Also rock flours, such as zeolites and phosphorites, natural potassium and magnesium sulphate and, of course, diluted nettle macerates or consolidations are always useful.
Constant and good natural fertilization is essential for avoid alternation of production which is the phenomenon by which there are years at productive charge and years at discharge.
Varnese
Like other fruit species, the orange tree also suffers from water competition from wild grass in the early stages of the planting process, and benefits from mulching. . Different types of materials are suitable for this, best if natural, such as straw or wilted grass, which are placed around the plant in a sufficiently wide circular layer and at least 10 cm thick, or alternatively in jute bags.
orange soup
During the first years after planting, which are the reproduction phase , the interventions to be carried out are not particularly onerous. This involves removing suckers, vigorous upright branches and small branches that grow into the foliage and cross each other. But it is not necessary to cut a lot, the orange tree does not require intensive interventions like other fruit trees.
So, with factories at full capacity the size is made in spring or late summer because, unlike other deciduous trees, citrus fruits accumulate the maximum amount of reserve substances in the branches, and not in the roots, and the time when this accumulation is most intense is the period February-March. In all cases the size of the orange tree Can be done even every 2 or 3 years unless there are disease attacks or excessive growth of the plant, for which specific cuts are necessary.