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There’s hardly anything as refreshing as a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to keep you hydrated. A winter staple, oranges are eaten raw, used in salads, desserts like orange kheer, refreshing mocktails, and traditional pickles. Orange zest is often added to sweets and pastries for an aromatic twist, while the fruit itself is also a key ingredient in Ayurveda, used for its cooling and digestion-enhancing properties.
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Oranges are packed with health benefits, being an excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts immunity, combats infections, and improves skin health. They contain powerful antioxidants like flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and fight oxidative stress, supporting heart health and reducing risks of chronic diseases. High in dietary fibre, oranges aid digestion and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
They are also rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and promotes heart function. Additionally, the low-calorie, hydrating fruit provides natural energy and hydration, making it a great snack for fitness enthusiasts and children alike. Regular consumption of oranges can lead to healthier skin, improved digestion, and overall wellness, making them a nutritious staple in Indian diets.
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Oranges thrive in subtropical to tropical climates. Regions with moderate winters and warm summers are ideal, making states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, and parts of southern India well-suited for orange cultivation. Orange trees need temperatures between 10°C to 35°C. Extremely cold weather and frost are harmful, so it’s best to avoid areas with harsh winters.
Oranges grow best in well-draining soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. Loamy or sandy soils enriched with organic matter are excellent choices. Avoid waterlogged or highly clayey soil, as it can lead to root rot.
Choosing the Right Variety
Different varieties of oranges are grown in India, each suited for specific climatic conditions. The Nagpur Orange is known for its sweetness and is primarily grown in Maharashtra. Kinnow, a hybrid variety popular in Punjab and Haryana, it’s juicy and easy to grow. The Mandarin orange is a variety is popular in states like Assam and Meghalaya, yielding smaller, sweet fruits. Sathgudi: A hardy and juicy variety grown in southern India. Choose a variety suited to your region to ensure the best possible growth and yield.
Planting An Orange Tree
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Oranges can be grown from seeds or through grafting. While seeds are a less expensive option, they take longer to mature and bear fruit, and the fruits may vary from the parent plant. Grafting, specifically the T-budding method, is a better choice if you want to maintain the quality of the fruit and reduce waiting time. Take a bud from a healthy orange tree and graft it onto rootstock. This method ensures that the new tree retains the parent’s qualities.
If you prefer growing from seeds, soak them for 24 hours to encourage germination. Plant the seeds in a well-drained soil mix in pots, ensuring they receive sunlight and water.
If planting outdoors, dig holes that are twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the sapling. Space the trees at least 12 to 15 feet apart to ensure good air circulation and sunlight exposure, which are essential for healthy growth.
Plant orange saplings in the ground during the monsoon season, which allows the tree to establish roots without suffering from transplant shock. Water the tree immediately after planting and keep the soil consistently moist (not waterlogged) during the initial weeks.
Caring For The Orange Tree
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Orange trees require regular watering, especially during the first 2–3 years. While they need frequent watering, over-watering can lead to root rot. After establishment, water deeply every 10-15 days, especially during the dry season. In humid conditions, water only as needed, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
Oranges need balanced nutrients to grow and produce fruit. Organic compost or well-rotted manure mixed into the soil provides necessary nutrients. You can supplement this with Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilisers, especially during early growth stages. Fertilise twice a year, at the beginning of the monsoon and again before winter. Avoid fertilising during flowering, as it can disrupt fruit formation.
Prune orange trees annually to remove dead, weak, or overcrowded branches. Pruning helps improve sunlight penetration and air circulation, reducing the risk of pests and diseases. After the first few years, minimal pruning is necessary. Additionally, remove any shoots emerging from below the graft union, as they won’t bear fruit.
Fungal diseases like citrus canker can affect orange trees. Apply copper-based fungicides if you notice any signs, such as yellow spots on leaves.
Maintaining good air circulation around the tree and avoiding overhead watering also helps in preventing fungal infections.
Harvesting Oranges
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Orange trees typically begin to bear fruit within 3-5 years if grown from grafted saplings. The fruit ripens within 7-9 months after flowering, depending on the variety. Oranges are best picked when they have developed their characteristic color and flavour. Harvest by twisting or clipping the fruit off the tree to avoid damaging the branch.
Oranges may still ripen slightly after harvesting, but they won’t continue to sweeten, so it’s best to pick them when fully coloured. Store freshly harvested oranges in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. They can be refrigerated for longer storage, lasting up to two weeks. Enjoy fresh oranges as a snack, or juice, or incorporate them into recipes like salads, desserts, and even savoury dishes.
