Professor Chen Lun-shou, a senior advisor at the Sinochem Fertilizer Agricultural University R&D Center, offers expert insights on citrus cultivation. He emphasizes that citrus trees are heavy feeders, requiring about twice as much nitrogen and potassium as deciduous fruit trees. This high nutrient demand means that proper fertilization is essential for achieving good yields.
To ensure successful harvests, balanced fertilization is crucial. One effective method is to use liquid fertilizer, which can be sprayed directly onto the leaves for quick absorption. This technique helps meet the tree's nutritional needs during critical growth stages.
In an interview, the reporter asked Professor Chen to explain the growth characteristics of citrus trees. He explained that citrus, including oranges and grapefruits, typically starts bearing fruit early and continues producing for many years. These trees grow multiple flushes of shoots throughout the year—spring, summer, and autumn. In warmer winters, they may even produce winter shoots, meaning they don’t have a deep dormancy period. Their fibrous root systems are well-developed and mainly found in the top 15 to 40 cm of soil.
The reporter then asked about the nutritional needs of citrus trees. Professor Chen noted that understanding the nutrient uptake patterns is key to formulating the right fertilizer mix. Citrus trees require significant amounts of nitrogen and potassium, more than most other fruit trees. This high demand means that fertilization must be carefully managed.
When it comes to applying fertilizer, he outlined the main technical points: citrus should be fertilized 4 to 5 times a year, including one base fertilizer (fruit pluck) and several top dressings. The base fertilizer is usually applied before or immediately after harvesting, combining organic matter with available nitrogen. It’s best to apply this when the soil temperature is still above 10°C, ideally within a month before it drops. This helps restore tree vigor, promote flower bud formation, improve cold resistance, and set the stage for the next season’s production.
After harvesting, timely application of base fertilizer is vital. As for top dressing in the coming season, Professor Chen explained that it plays a key role in balancing vegetative and reproductive growth. He recommended applying fertilizer 3 to 4 times throughout the year:
1. **Budding fertilizer** – Applied in mid-February to early March, when spring shoots begin to grow. This stage focuses on improving flower quality and shoot development, using mostly nitrogen with less phosphorus and potassium.
2. **Stable fruit fertilizer** – Applied during the late flowering period, after the first major fruit drop. This is a critical time to increase fruit set. During May and June, excessive nitrogen should be avoided, as it can lead to unwanted summer shoot growth and increased fruit drop. Foliar sprays are often used instead for better protection.
3. **Strong fruit fertilizer** – Applied between July and September, when fruits are rapidly growing, and new autumn shoots and flower buds are developing. This is a crucial period for both current and future yields. At this stage, the focus should shift to chemical fertilizers, with an emphasis on potassium to support fruit development and overall tree health.
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