Would you like a natural orange juice? The idea of being able to harvest your own oranges without having to go to the supermarket is very tempting, right? So, I encourage you to grow a potted orange tree. It is not very complicated. In fact, it is one of the fruit trees that best adaptssince its adult size is smaller than that of other fruit trees and its roots do not need as much space.
If you don’t know how to do it, don’t worry. When you finish reading this article, you will have learned everything you need to get some delicious and tasty oranges.
General data of the orange tree
El Orange tree it is a fruit tree widely cultivated in all warm temperate climate regions of the world. With a height that rarely exceeds 6 meters and that you can also reduce if you wish at the end of winter to make it easier for you to pick the fruits, being a very interesting plant to have on patios or terraces. Naturally, you can find specimens that can reach a maximum height of 10 meters, although it is quite difficult.
The species that characterizes this plant is known as Citrus. The origin of this species has its origin in China and Indonesia and currently, as you know, it can be cultivated anywhere in the world, as long as the necessary conditions exist for it.
When is it advisable to plant orange trees?
You can’t plant an orange tree whenever you feel like it. There is a specific time when you should do it and that is when the rains are at their peak, this with the aim of offering the seeds a humid environment that is beneficial for their development.
Now, if you don’t know when this time is, you know that the best time to plant orange trees is in spring. Keep in mind that they are plants that do not support too much heat, so it is best to have them in places where the temperature is below 32 ° C.
Where can you plant orange trees?
As we mentioned at the beginning, it is possible that in addition to having them on the ground directly, You can also have a pot with a firm structure to give support to the plant and at the same time reach a considerable size..
Yes, the earth has to have certain characteristics so that it can be developed. Among them are:
- The soil or substrate must have a pH between 6 and 6.5
- The characteristics of substrate must be either clayey or sandy. This with the intention of making the roots easier so that they can move in their development.
- In case the land to be used does not meet the aforementioned requirements, you should know that it is not necessary or mandatory, since the orange tree has the possibility of adapting without any problem to soils lacking in nutrients.
- You must protect the orange tree from the wind and strong air currents. That is why it is viable and advantageous to have orange trees in pots, since it makes it easy to move them from one place to another to protect them.
- Place the plant in a bright placealthough we recommend that you place it in a place where the plant can receive at least two or three hours of direct sunlight per day.
How to prepare the land to grow orange trees?
While it is true that it is not mandatory to comply with all the aforementioned requirements, it is beneficial for the plant in the future if you prepare the soil properly. And to achieve this, you just have to fertilize it and use homemade compost.
In fact, this last form is the most used, since provides the soil with the necessary nutrients that this and any other type of plant It also requires for its development that they allow you to save money.
As additional information at this point, look for a way to check the acidity of the land where you will plant the orange tree or compost that you have prepared. Remember that the pH has to be between 6 and 6.5, otherwise, the plant will not develop properly.
Plant care
To take care of it, you just have to take into account the following:
Location
Once we bring an orange tree home, The first thing we have to do is find a place for it where it can get sunlight directly. This will ensure that the growth and development of the plant are optimal.
Irrigation
Watering will have to be frequent, especially during the summer months. The frequency will be as follows: 3 times a week in hot weather and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
Now, when you are going to use irrigation during the summer, try to provide enough water so that the soil can be evenly moistened. Now, this does not mean that you have to water the plant to the point of creating a puddle.
Waterlogging is dangerous for the orange tree and any of the existing types of orange trees. The reason for this is because it can rot the plant very easily, in addition to allowing harmful microorganisms to invade the plant and damage it to the point of killing it.
Fertilizer
Being a plant whose fruits are for human consumption, it is advisable to fertilize with a natural liquid fertilizerlike guano.
Transplant
Move your orange tree to a slightly larger pot in spring, after the risk of frost has passed. Use for this a substrate that has good drainage and some natural compostsuch as 60% black peat or mulch (for sale here!) + 30% perlite and 10% worm castings (for sale here!).
Pruning
To maintain a potted fruit tree, pruning is one of the most important jobs, so it we can at the end of winterbefore it has resumed its growth.
When you go to prune, remove those branches that look weak, diseased and intersect with each other. It is also convenient to trim the rest, especially those that have grown too much.
Plagues and diseases
Among the pests and diseases that the orange tree can contract are:
Diseases
You can get the disease known as Anthracnose. This can be noticed on the plant when the leaves, flowers and fruits of the orange tree take on an appearance as if they were rotten.
The gum It is also another disease that the orange tree can contract. When the orange tree has gum, the plant begins to secrete a whitish substance that is seen mainly at the base and in the upper parts of the orange tree.
Pests
The aphids they have a fairly high preference for the fruits of the orange tree. When they affect the plant, the orange tree begins to secrete excess sap. This is a big problem, since the sap is like the substance that gives strength to the plant and prevents the leaves from curling.
He California red louse it also affects the point that the fruit begins to turn yellow in its shell, to the point of causing it to fall before it reaches full maturity.
With all this information that we have provided, you are ready to plant orange trees not only in a pot, but in any part of the garden that you have in your home.
Remember to nourish the soil of the plant well and take care not to water too much when it is your turn. What’s more, if you want your fruits to taste good in the future, use a good soil with a suitable pH level and the necessary nutrients.
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