How should the irrigation of the orange tree be?

Orange trees are one of the most cultivated and consumed citrus fruits in the world, and if you have a specimen in your garden, you have to know how to water it. The orange tree irrigation it needs some fundamental aspects to be done correctly. Water is essential for its efficient development and, most importantly, to produce higher quality fruits. It is not enough to just pour water on it regularly.

For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about orange tree irrigation, its characteristics and what aspects to take into account to do it correctly.

Orange tree irrigation needs

The orange trees must be kept in a permanently humid substrate without flooding. This leads to determining irrigation needs based on how dry the land appears to be, and more or less frequently, as appropriate.

When orange trees are planted in clay soil, they need less water than sandy soil because they retain water longer. The age of the tree should also be taken into account, as younger trees tend to require more water than mature trees.

Lack of watering can be easily identified by looking for changes in the color of the leaves, which often appear to be pale green. These leaves are noticeable in these conditions starting at the end of the crown, so there is an opportunity to correct the fault once it is discovered.

Orange tree irrigation frequency

How much and how often you water your orange tree depends on several factors, such as terrain, weather or time of year. In general, you don’t have to work so much on this issue in winter because the tree has no leaves and there is very little transpiration.

Therefore, on average, a risk can be established every 15 days. In the summer, the problem is different. At this point, the trees are in full production and the heat causes the water to evaporate more quickly.

Therefore, it is better to water it twice a week to ensure that it receives the necessary amount of water. It is important that With each irrigation cycle, apply the appropriate amount of water so that it penetrates into the subsoil. and keep the root environment moist.

To do this, it uses a mechanism with a low flow rate but a long cycle time so that the soil gradually absorbs the water. Keep in mind that in periods of rain you have to reduce the irrigation cycle so that your orange tree does not “drown.

What is the best way to water an orange tree?

The best method to irrigate orange trees is drip irrigation, which you should use with a low flow system. This mechanism will allow water to penetrate directly to the roots of the tree and the soil will be able to absorb what is needed in the exact place.

In some cases, it may be beneficial to create grooves in the environment to help distribute water across its entire diameter rather than concentrating drip in one spot.

That way, it not only provides the right amount of water, but covers every possible gap. Drip irrigation is beneficial because it also makes it easier to apply certain types of fertilizers along with watering.

When an orange tree is affected by high humidity, the color of the leaves will change from green to yellow. However, the greatest effects are evident in the roots, which can become a focal point for the colonization of fungi or bacteria.

Root rot will most likely cause not only damage to the roots, but can lead to the death of the orange tree. When defining all aspects related to this care, it is important to take into account how your orange tree responds to watering. While research has made it possible to devise a set of references such as those expressed here, you should tailor them to your particular situation. That way, you’ll have a well-cared-for tree in a humid environment that produces delicious fruit. Of course, do not forget to fertilize and prune.

Types of irrigation and amount

There are two main types of irrigation for the orange tree. The two types of irrigation will be equally useful to optimize the growth of the tree. However, it must be borne in mind that they will have to be used in different contexts. Everything will depend on the type of soil in which the orange tree is planted. We are going to write what are the two main types of irrigation of the orange tree:

• One of the recommended types of irrigation is the so-called “blanket”. This irrigation technique requires a very porous and well-drained soil. If the soil does not have a drainage system, such watering can create moisture buildup, which can lead to fungal diseases. This type of irrigation consists of flooding the area where the orange tree is located with enough water to reach the lowest roots. We do not recommend this type of irrigation if the soil is very clayey.
• Another widely used irrigation method for citrus trees is drip irrigation. This form of irrigation is especially recommended in winter, since in summer the water that drips evaporates before reaching the roots of the tree.

Orange trees do not always need the same amount of irrigation. While morning watering is generally recommended, plant water needs vary throughout the year:

• In dry and hot seasons it is necessary water with plenty of water 3 or 4 times a week to avoid evaporation by the sun.
• Irrigation needs are greatly reduced when it is cold or when there is more rain, and can vary between once a week or every 3 weeks.
• Another time when less watering is needed is before flowering, since water stress favors flowering, which produces more fruit.
• When the tree bears fruit, the need for water increases, so the irrigation must also be more abundant.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the irrigation of the orange tree and its characteristics.