ORANGE PRODUCTION

Ecological Requirements

• Oranges grow over a wide range of soils but light, well drained, sandy soils are the most ideal.
• For good production, 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 as a whole the ideal range is between 450mm to 2,700mm per year.
• Oranges can be grown from altitudes as low as 200m above sea level.
• Areas of low humidity are most ideal.
• Such 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.
• Citrus requires temperature ranges from 13⁰C – 35⁰
• Optimum temperature is 25 – 35⁰
• Extremely high temperatures may be harmful especially during flowering or if cool temperatures are followed by a hot period.
• Damage occurs in the form of flower, fruit or leaf drop.
• Wind can also cause serious damage to orange trees and fruits.
• Hot dry wind will often scorch trees by drying young leaves.
• Winds of high speeds will scar fruits and cause fruit drop.
• Where winds are a problem, wind brake shelters should be planted.

Varieties

• Washington navel, which is suitable for direct eating as a table fruit. The fruit is seedless. It matures early in the season.
• Valencia, with a lot of juice and therefore sustainable for juice extraction. This cultivar matures late in the season and this is advantageous. The juice has high soluble solids and a rough skin.
• Hamlin, which has good extraction properties. It is a small fruit with a smooth and shiny skin.
• Others include Kuno navel, Nova, Minneola and American tangerine.