When are oranges ripe for picking?

It is very important for growers to know when oranges ripen and are ready to be picked. This makes it easier to understand the growth cycle of this fruit , which not only helps in production response, but also helps to better grasp the market conditions and earn higher profits. So when are oranges ripe for picking? Let’s learn more about it below.

When are oranges ripe for picking?

Oranges are generally ripe for picking in autumn and winter, but the specific time varies by variety and region. Usually, early-maturing varieties mature from September to October; ordinary varieties mature from November to January of the following year, which is also the main concentrated ripening and picking period for most oranges; while late-maturing varieties can be extended to March or April of the following year, or even later.

How to pick oranges correctly?

1. Picking time

Choose sunny or cloudy days to pick the fruit after the dew has dried, and avoid picking the fruit on rainy days or when the dew has not dried to prevent an increase in the rate of rotten fruit.

2. Picking method

When picking fruits, you should pick them from bottom to top and from outside to inside using fruit picking shears. The method is "one fruit, two cuts", that is, the first cut is to cut off the fruit stalk about 3-4mm, and the second cut is to cut off the fruit stalk along the fruit stalk. The harvesting process should be handled with care.

3. Post-harvest management

(1) Fruit processing

Preservative treatment: After picking the oranges, they need to be treated with preservatives. The longest storage time should not exceed 2 days. The preservative is to immerse the picked oranges in the liquid for 1 minute, then take them out and dry them.

Storage in warehouse: When storing in warehouse, you can choose the storage method according to the storage conditions and warehouse size, mainly including "品" shape stacking, shelf storage and on-site stacking.

(2) Orchard management

Post-harvest fertilization: After the fruits are harvested, it is necessary to apply fertilizers in the orchard to replenish the tree vigor. Generally, a nutritionally balanced fertilizer is applied 5-7 days after harvesting: organic matter + compound fertilizer + medium and trace elements are sufficient.

Clean the orchard: After picking, promptly clean up fallen leaves, dead branches, rotten fruits and other debris in the orchard to reduce the breeding environment for pests and diseases.

Shaping and pruning: Use large branch pruning techniques to lower the crown height, thin out dense and crossed large branches, open the crown, and improve ventilation and light conditions.

Insulation and frost prevention: Before frost, take measures such as wrapping grass, adding soil, and whitewashing the main trunk to prevent frost damage and diseases such as resin disease.



In general, the time when oranges are ripe for picking varies depending on the variety and region. The best time to pick them can be determined based on the actual planting conditions. In addition, strengthening the post-harvest management of orange orchards is of great significance for improving the trees' resistance to cold, ensuring the safe wintering of orange trees, and guaranteeing high and stable yields in the coming year.