Grow your future
A full-grown pineapple at a farm. — Photo: K.K. Mustafah.
A collection of fruit trees grown for commercial exploitation is what an orchard is. Establishing an orchard is a long-term investment and needs thorough planning. Any mistakes committed during selection of site, planting distances, choice of crops/varieties and quality of nursery stocks reflect on the yield. If necessary, one may seek the guidance of an experienced horticulturist to establish an orchard.
While planning an orchard, attention must be paid to the following critical components:
Location: Usually refers to the geographical place, where the orchard is located. There are often advantages in an orchard being located in a region where fruit growing is a common interest. Such a location enables one to keep abreast of the latest horticultural developments.
Climate: Climate bears a crucial relation to horticulture and is almost the ultimate determinant of what is grown.
Rainfall: Is necessary for satisfactory growth of trees, and in some cases, for supply of water for spraying. For better performance of trees, distributed rainfall with a break before flowering is necessary.
Wind: Heavy winds may reduce the number of blossoms that set fruit and prove ruinous to the crop as it approaches the harvesting season. Wind-breaks and close planting of the trees on the windward side are often used to reduce the damage.
Sunshine: Sunshine is of prime importance in the growth of plants in general and in the development and colouring of fruit.
M.J. Prabu
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