Pixie Orange Seedlings (Exportable)

Description

Ecological Requirements
–Pixie Orange is grown from sea level up to an altitude of 1400 m ASL.
-Optimal growth of temperature range 20 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius is ideal.
– Pixie Orange trees grow on a wide range of soils varying from sandy soils to those high in clay. Soils that are good for growing are well-drained, medium-textured, deep and fertile. Waterlogged or saline soils are not suitable and a pH range of 5.5 to 6.0 is ideal.
-Annual rainfall of not less than 1000 mm is needed for proper fruit growing.

Farm Management
-Irrigation in your orange farm depends on many factors like agro-climatic condition, plant age, and soil type. In a week the trees need around 120 litres distributed at regular intervals.
-To control weed growth in your orange farm, mulching is the best method. Apply an 8cm thick layer of paddy husk or dry leaf mulch to control weed growth. Use mulching to reduce the frequency of irrigation.
-To promote good growth, you need to remove twigs closer to the base trunk of a tree. You must also remove dead leaves, twigs, and branches at regular intervals.

Suitability
Pixie Oranges are well suited all time warm to hot climate which will essential to quality orange fruit formation as it impacts positively the fruit taste.

Production Cost and Return on investment per Acre
The following are the estimated costs of production for selected fruits. While the quotes have captured the requirements, the following items are not included:
-Farm visit cost
-The cost of clearing bushes and shrubs on the land. The cost will be based on the types and density of vegetation which will be determined once the farm visit is done.
-Cost of fencing
-Cost of irrigation. This depends on the method of irrigation
-Transport cost
-Land leveling and erosion control is not included.

Recommendations
-It is recommended that you have one full time farm manager (agronomist), two supervisors and a number of farm hands. The number of farm hands will depend on the method of irrigation, season/stage of production,
-Mulching for moisture conservation
-Manure will be applied at the rate of 10 to 15kg per hole.
-The size of the holes will be 2ft by 2 ft. by 2 ft. (length, width and depth)
-Cost of manure may vary depending on the source and availability

Returns
Pixie trees can produce a maximum of 400 fruits when fully mature and a single fruit at farm gate price can go for 10-20/-.