Mandarin orange-Harvest and storage

The budded plants starts bearing from 3 – 5 years after planting, while in case of seedlings, it takes about 5-7 years. The plant is harvested when 75% of fruit surface colour changes from dark green to yellowish orange.

Normally the citrus fruits are harvested when ripe, as the quality does not improve on storage.

Clippers or secateurs should be used to remove the fruit from the tree, leaving a little portion of the stem attached to the fruit.

Fruit should not be pulled by hand, as it ruptures the skin of the fruit and provides an entry point for fungal diseases.

The harvested fruits should be placed in picking bags or plastic buckets and transferred to a shady place or packing house.