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Oranges can be grown from as low as sea level to 200m above sea level. Areas of low humidity are most ideal. Such a climate is important for reduced disease intensity and for acquiring good orange. Citrus requires temperature ranges from 13°C-38°C. Optimum temperature is 25°C-35°C. Extremely high temperatures may be harmful especially during flowering or if cool temperatures are followed by a hot period.
Oranges can be grown in a wide range of soils provided they are well drained. Fertile and well aerated soils with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal. It is advisable to test your soil and know its status.
Water requirements vary according to weather conditions, but as a whole the ideal range is between 450mm – 2,700mm per year.
Bush clearing
Clear natural vegetation and hills. Two methods for this; chemical (use of weed masters, herbicides) and manual method (mechanical use of farm tools like pangs tractors). Avoid bush burning, because you can burn people’s crops, forest activists say you will kill species, soil scientists say you kill living organisms, soil PH and nutrients such as oxygen.
