How often and how to water my potted orange tree?
The orange tree can be grown in a pot without problems, although it is logical that the amount of production will not be the same as a tree in the garden.
This is an ideal option for homes with little space and, best of all, it requires little care.
One of the essentials is the watering of the potted orange tree because it will be the one that allows it to develop well and with a quantity of quality fruits.
The procedure to obtain an effective irrigation system is easy to work with and here we will tell you exactly how to do it.
Important points when watering a potted orange tree:
- Irrigation frequency: 3 or 4 times a week while it is in the stage of flowering and fruit formation. Reduce it to 1 watering every 5 days during the rest of the year, especially on winter days.
- Irrigation method: with a watering can.
- Optimum time of day for irrigation: at dawn.
- Identify excess water: decayed plant, fruits with shell damage, weak stems, root rot.
- Identify lack of water: lack of growth, poor foliage and flowering, poor quality fruit.
What watering needs does a potted orange tree have?
The orange tree is a fruit tree that needs a good water condition in the soil to develop healthily and for its production to be the best.
In pot conditions, watering should be implemented more frequently because the soil doesn’t tend to hold much liquid (and that’s fine because we don’t want stagnation either).
In addition, it must be taken into account that, in this case, the roots do not have the opportunity to seek moisture in the depths of the earth, as they do when they are in the garden.
How can we detect lack of irrigation in potted orange trees?
When orange trees do not have a good level of humidity in the soil, whether they are in a pot or in a garden, they present 3 characteristic symptoms:
- Lack of growth: this condition applies to orange trees that are in full development stage, so you will not see that its structure improves as the days go by.
- Poor foliage and flowering: Orange trees need the water to perform their vital internal functions, such as photosynthesis. If they don’t have enough liquid, their ability to produce new leaves and flowers will be diminished.
- Poor quality fruits: water is vital for the growth of the fruits and for them to come out juicy and with a good flavor.
The good news is that the orange tree is a citrus tree that withstands drought to a certain extent. It means that it will not die quickly.
Therefore, if you see any of these symptoms, you will have the opportunity to attend to it so that it returns to its normal conditions.
How often should we water the potted orange tree?
The watering of the potted orange tree should cover its seasonal needs, with the flowering and fruit formation stages being the most demanding. Around this, you will have to establish irrigation at a rate of 3 or 4 times a week, depending on the conditions in which you have it planted.
To define a more or less convenient standard, you have to look at the state of the earth since it can guide you on the lack of moisture. The rest of the year you will have to reduce watering, although not as much as orange trees in the garden, perhaps one every five days in winter.
What is the best way to water a potted orange tree?
Watering with a watering can will be the most convenient for orange trees in pots because it helps to supply the appropriate amount of water in each application. The suitability of the shower must be assessed, verifying that it has small holes so that the outflow is not so fast.
It is also important that the drainage of the land is optimal, as both conditions will prevent the orange tree from suffering from the dreaded waterlogging.
How do we detect excess water in the potted orange tree?
It is very easy for potted orange trees to suffer from waterlogging because their amount of soil is very limited and sometimes we can water more than necessary. If you notice that the plant looks droopy, with yellowing leaves, flimsy stems and fruits that show damage to their skin, it is probably due to excess water.
The biggest problem with this is when fungi appear, as they lodge quite quickly in roots subject to high humidity. Fungi are capable of producing root rot, which will kill your orange tree plant, so you must pay close attention to avoid the problem.
Potted orange trees thrive well, as long as they are kept in the most suitable care conditions. Take into account that irrigation is essential for almost all plant species and citrus fruits, such as the orange tree, are among the most demanding.
If all goes well, you will enjoy a beautiful plant with impeccable production.
Bibliographic references
- Effect of irrigation pattern and frequency on foliar proline level in ‘Valencia’ orange, M Wagner, G Laborem, G Medina, L Rangel – Bioagro, 1998 – ucla.edu.ve
- The irrigation of the orchards: (with reference to the orange tree), A Acerete Lavilla – 1949 – digital.csic.es
- Use of potassium nitrate and potassium chloride in drip irrigation in Valencia Late orange trees on different patterns, MG Montesinos, IRG Bolinches… – Alquibla: Revista de…, 1999 – dialnet.unirioja.es
- Deficit drip irrigation in Salustiana adult orange trees for seven years, JR Castel, A Buj – Agricultural research. Production and …, 1993 – pascal-francis.inist.fr
- Design and implementation of technical irrigation [micro – sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation] in an avocado and citrus orchard in the town of Mallarauco, A Marin, A Veronica – 1996 – sidalc.net
- Localized irrigation and fertigation, JA Moya Talens – 2009 – books.google.com
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