You might have visited the market and come across the attractive fruits and decided to have a taste of the delicious fruit. Well, imagine having a vibrant orchard of tangerines in your garden.

Tangerines are large shrubs or small to moderate-sized trees that have a height of 2 to 15m and have spiny shoots and alternately arranged evergreen leaves. They have flowers that are solitary or small corymbs that have a strong scent.

Generally, they grow in warm and humid conditions with moderate temperatures and rainfall, although they can grow in nearly all parts of the country.

What are the different types of citrus?

-Tangerines/mandarins

-Sour and sweet oranges

-Lemons

-Limes

-Tangelos

 

ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS

The performance and productivity of tangerine plants depend on the physical characteristics that they have. These include the water-holding capacity, soil pH, drainage and structure, soil depth, and climatic conditions.

Soil. Although they grow in a wide range of soil types, tangerines thrive in deep, well-drained, fertile soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. These plants do not thrive in waterlogged soils. Loamy to sandy loams are the best for tangerine farming.

Climate. Tangerines grow best in temperature ranges of 13°C to 38°C. Besides, the trees require moderate rainfall and high humidity. The coastal region offers the ideal climate for tangerine farming.

Altitude. Unlike other fruits, tangerines can be grown at a wide range of altitudes, ranging from 0 to 2000m ASL. However, they perform best in a range of 0–1200, or low to medium altitudes, in short.

For optimum performance and production,

Use certified, disease-free seedlings. Ensure you purchase your seedlings from certified nurseries like Frutunda. For commercial operations, tangerines are propagated through the double-grafting method.

Prepare the soil. Perform the necessary soil tests and amend the pH to the right levels. Mix the soil with compost or manure to enhance soil fertility. Next, prepare the planting holes, add manure to each hole, and mix it with the topsoil. Use a spacing of 4 m x 5 m or 5 m x 5 m, depending on the size of the trees that you are growing.

Plant the trees with the graft union above the soil, and water the trees immediately after planting.

Water the trees regularly. It’s recommended that you plant during the rainy season, as the plants receive adequate water during this period. In dry seasons, water the trees regularly.

Apply fertilizer every 6 months, maintaining a balance between nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Prune your trees to promote new growth and maintain a healthy bush. However, do not overprune your tree.

How to feed tangerine

-Feed the tangerines with foliar feeds and fertilizers rich in nitrogen in the early growth stages.

-Devise a slow-release organic fertilizer program to feed your plants throughout their growth states.

-Feed the trees when they have new growth taking place.

-Conduct regular soil tests and assess the trees to detect any deficiencies.

 

Some of the deficiencies are:

Nitrogen deficiency results in the yellowing of leaves. If this happens, apply high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Zinc deficiency leads to small leaves with yellow blotches between the veins, which is a common issue in alkaline soils. This can be treated with foliar spray.

Magnesium deficiency causes young leaves to turn a light green between the veins and can be treated using magnesium sulfate or foliar spray.

Iron deficiency makes young leaves turn yellow between the veins. It's common in poorly drained and alkaline soils and can be corrected by adding chelated iron to the soil.

 

Market Potential for Tangerine Oranges in Kenya

Tangerines have a high market potential, both locally and in the export markets. Currently, the major export markets for Kenyan tangerines are Russia, UAE, and the European Union. Besides, they are extensively used in value addition to make juices and snacks.

 

Are you looking for high-quality seedlings?

At Frutunda, we offer tangerine seedlings to help you start growing your own delicious and nutritious tangerines!

Experience the joy of harvesting fresh tangerines from your backyard. Don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Visit our website or contact us to place your order. Get started with Frutunda and create a vibrant orchard.

Visit us here at our farm, Ridgeways, along Kigwa Road.

Contact: 0769623300

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/254769623300