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Grafted Valencia Orange

Complete care guide for premium citrus seedling. Follow these instructions for optimal growth and maximum yield.

Category

citrus

Price

KES 200

Time to Fruit

2.5 to 3 years

Complete Care Guide

Detailed care instructions for growing your Grafted Valencia Orange seedling successfully

Watering

Citrus trees should be planted in a sunny and wind-protected area. They can tolerate high temperatures provided the trees are well supplied with soil moisture. Consistent watering during growing season. Water the plant after planting if soil isn't wet enough.

Sunlight

Full sun essential. Citrus trees should be planted in a sunny and wind-protected area, and in frost-free regions because they cannot tolerate severe frosts.

Soil Requirements

Citrus can be grown in a wide range of soil types. However, for best results, they should be grown in well-drained soils, which are fertile, well-aerated and with a pH of between 6-6.5. The growth, development and production of citrus plant depends on the physical characteristics of the soil such as drainage, water-holding capacity, structure, soil depth, and the degree to which water can infiltrate the soil. Planting: Dig holes with dimensions 2 ft length by 2 ft width by 2 ft depth. Mix a bucket full of farmyard manure with topsoil at planting stage.

Temperature

Warm climate (20-32°C). Citrus trees should be planted in frost-free regions because they cannot tolerate severe frosts. They can tolerate high temperatures provided the trees are well supplied with soil moisture.

Fertilizer

In order to remain healthy and produce optimally, the plants require sufficient nutrients, both macro and micronutrients. Nutrients that are needed in relatively large amounts are called the macronutrients. Basal and foliar fertilizers should therefore be applied in order to ensure effective nutrient supply to the plants. Balanced NPK or citrus fertilizer.

Spacing

4m by 4m. 256 pieces per acre.

Time to Fruit

2.5 to 3 years.

Pest & Disease Management

Pests:

  • False coddling moth (larvae burrow into fruit rind causing discoloration and premature ripening)
  • Aphids (suck sap causing puckered marks, yellowing and twisting of leaves, honeydew excretion)
  • Orange dog caterpillar (large 1.5-2 inch brown caterpillar that defoliates trees)
  • Citrus whiteflies (tiny white winged insects feeding on underside of leaves, excrete honeydew)
  • Fruit fly (adults deposit eggs under fruit skin, maggots feed on flesh causing rot)
  • Citrus leafminer (larvae feed on young foliage creating silvery tunnels)
  • Brown soft scale (small non-mobile insects attached to wood and foliage, cause yellowing and leaf drop)
  • Citrus thrips (tiny orange or pale yellow insects causing shriveled buds and distorted leaves)
  • Citrus bud mite (exceptionally small mite hiding in flower buds causing malformed growth)

Diseases:

  • Citrus canker (highly contagious bacterial infection with yellow halo-like lesions)
  • Sooty mold (blackening fungus from honeydew secretions)
  • Greasy spot (fungal disease with yellowish-brownish blister spots)
  • Anthracnose (causes twig dieback and dark staining on fruit)
  • Bacterial blast (black lesions in leaf petiole causing leaf curl and drop)
  • Root Rot/Brown Rot/Collar rot (soil-inhabiting fungus causing dark brown patches on trunk)
  • Citrus greening (bacterium spread by psyllids causing yellowing and stunted growth)
  • Powdery mildew (white powdery spores on leaves)
  • Citrus gummosis (fungal infection on trunk causing amber-colored gum)

Nutritional Deficiencies:

  • Nitrogen deficiency (light green to yellow foliage, yellow vein chlorosis)

Pruning:

  • Dead wood must be removed regularly. When trees become too big and start growing into one another
  • pruning is recommended. Branches touching the ground should be removed. Weeding (Keep the area under the canopy free from weeds as they compete for nutrients and water and harbour pathogens.)

Growing Timeline

Phase 1

Planting

Prepare soil, plant seedling, water thoroughly

Phase 2

Establishment

Regular watering, fertilizer application

Phase 3

Growth

Pruning, maintenance, pest management

Phase 4

Fruiting

Harvest and ongoing maintenance

Common Issues & Solutions

Cold/Frost Damage

Protect plants during cold periods with covers or windbreaks. Choose appropriate planting locations. Consider frost-resistant varieties. Water plants before expected frost to help protect roots.

Fruit Fly Infestation

Use pheromone traps and organic baits. Remove and destroy affected fruits immediately. Maintain orchard hygiene to prevent breeding sites. Harvest fruits early if infestation is severe.

Aphid Infestation

Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs. Remove affected leaves and maintain good air circulation. Control ants that protect aphids.

Scale Insects

Use horticultural oil or neem oil during dormant season. Prune heavily infested branches. Maintain plant health to reduce susceptibility. Scrape off scales manually for small infestations.

Quick Reference

Min Temperature

10°C

Ideal Sunlight

6+ hrs

Water Frequency

Regular

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Ready to start growing?

Order this premium Grafted Valencia Orange seedling today and begin your agricultural success story