GROWING PROCESS
Introduction
Spring is the season for new growth, when growers plant their open root trees
and potted trees. Some planting takes place in March and April.
With the exception of lemons, which flower up to four times per year, flowering
occurs during Spring. The buds appear in early August, and by early
October the last petals fall, leaving tiny fruitlets behind.
The picking season is clearly the most important and exciting part of the
production cycle for the citrus industry, since this is when the hard work
during the rest of the year pays dividends.
Where it all begins
The growing process begins when the grower orders his trees. It is vital
that growers buy from a reputable SA Nurseryman's Association accredited
nursery to ensure good quality trees. The nurseryman plants the root
stock from seed and once the plant is big enough, he grafts a bud of whichever
cultivar the grower requires, onto the root stock.
All bud wood and seed originates from the Outspan Foundation Block in
Uitenhage, considered the best of its kind in the world. Citrus is prone
to viral disease, but stock from this facility gives the grower peace of mind
that his plants will not only be true to type, but virus-free. Once
ordered, it takes up to two years before these trees are ready for planting.
Citrus farming is a long term project, since not only does it take up to five
years before a tree bears fruit, but the average life expectancy of a tree is
between 25 and 30 years.
Navels have traditionally been the preferred cultivar planted in the Sundays
River Valley and the area has won world wide acclaim for this fruit. In
recent years, however, the valley has become world renowned for the high
quality lemons that is produced.
Climate
The Sundays River Valley is well known throughout the world for the fact that
it is able to produce almost any kind of citrus, thanks to both its special
climatic conditions and its location in a valley, which is not too close to the
sea. Citrus farming is particularly dependant on both summer and winter
temperatures. Ideally, for the best possible quality fruit, with internal
quality and good colour, the temperature should not be too hot in summer, nor
too cold in winter. Despite its hot summers, which allows the area to
produce fruit with a high sugar content, the Eastern Cape is regarded as a cool
citrus producing area. This accounts for the excellent quality of the
navels and lemons it produces. The cold, frost-free winters assure good
colour development.
The climate also allows growers to diversify their range of products and so
increase the length of their picking season. Thanks to this flexibility,
the Sundays River is known as the one-stop-shop where international suppliers
know they can purchase all their requirements from.
Resources
One of the most vital resources required for good citrus production is water,
which the Sundays River Valley enjoys in abundance. Fed via a tunnel from
the Gariep Dam into the Fish River, the water flows into the upper reaches of
the Sundays River and from there into the Darlington Dam, which feeds the
valley's irrigation system.
Soil enhancement and adaptation is achieved through the use of
fertilizer. There is a huge drive towards using organic products
like compost and humic acid to improve the overall soil health and microbial
activity in the soil. By improving the organic matter content of the
soil, less inorganic fertilisers is necessary and a more sustainable root
environment is created. |
