Orange Seedlings (Valencia Orange | Tangerine | Tangelo)

Description

Orange seedlings

We offer varieties of orange seedlings (Valencia Orange, Tangerine, and Tangelo) which are high-quality products for your orange plantation.

• The orange tree is an evergreen, flowering tree, with an average height of 9 to 10 m (30 to 33 ft.), although some very old specimens can reach 15 m (49 ft.).
• Its oval leaves, alternately arranged, are 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) long and have crenulate margins.

What you need to know about orange farming

• Acquire your seedlings from reputable farms, preferably at the onset of rains.
• If not acquired at the onset of rains, ensure you adequately provide irrigation to the seedlings.
• Prepare the field and dig planting holes 60 x 60 x 60 cm.
• During planting, use well-rotted manure with topsoil.
• Spacing varies widely, depending on elevation, rootstock, and variety.
• Generally, trees need a wider spacing at sea level than those transplanted at higher altitudes.
• Usually, the plant density varies from 150 to 500 trees per ha, which means distances of  5 by 6 meters or 7 by 8 meters (oranges, grapefruits, and mandarins).
• It is very important to ensure that seedlings are not transplanted too deep.
• After planting, the seedlings ought to be at the same height or preferably, somewhat higher than in the nursery.
• Under no circumstances must the graft union ever be in contact with the soil or with mulching material if used.
• Keep the trees free of weeds.
• Maintain a single stem up to a height of 80-100 cm.
• Remove all side branches/rootstock suckers.
• Pinch or break the top branch at a height of 100 cm to encourage side branching.
• Allow 3-4 scaffold branches to form the framework of the tree.

Requirements for planting orange seedlings

• Oranges grow over a wide range of soils but light, well-drained (sandy) soils are most ideal.
• For good productivity, oranges require well-distributed rainfall or supplementary irrigation throughout the year. A good source of water is therefore essential in orange farming.
• Water requirements vary according to weather conditions, but the ideal range is between 450mm – 2,700mm per year.
• Oranges can be grown from as low as sea level to 200m above sea level. Areas of low humidity are most ideal.
• Such a climate is important for reduced disease intensity and for acquiring good orange color.
• A dry hot day, cool at night climate also favors good color development.
• The optimum temperature for propagation is 25⁰C-35⁰C. Extremely high temperatures may be harmful especially during flowering or if cool temperatures are followed by a hot period.
• Excessive wind can cause serious damage to orange trees and fruits. Winds of high speeds will scar fruits and cause fruit drop. Where winds are a problem, windbreak shelters should be planted.