The Art of Organic Pruning: Light, Wind, and the Secret of Our Oranges from Alzira
In this video, recorded directly in our fields in Alzira, we show you step by step how we prune our organic citrus trees. An artisanal and fundamental process to guarantee the health of the tree and the exceptional flavor of each orange. Hit play to discover our secret!
When spring arrives in the Ribera Alta region and the scent of orange blossom fills our fields in Alzira, we know a crucial moment for the next harvest is beginning. At Quieronaranjas, growing certified 100% organic fruit means that nature itself is our clock. And now, when the risk of winter frosts has passed and the tree awakens, it is time for one of the oldest, most respected, and vital tasks in agriculture: pruning the orange tree.
For our family, pruning is not simply cutting branches with shears. It is a silent dialogue with the orange tree. It is about helping it find its natural balance so that, in a few months, it can offer you that spectacular fruit that we send directly from the tree to your home in less
Why is pruning so decisive in our sustainable farming?
In conventional agriculture, excess moisture or pests are usually treated with chemical products and pesticides. In our one hundred percent natural model, the sun and the Mediterranean breeze of Valencia are our best fungicides. By pruning manually, patiently, and carefully, we achieve a series of agronomic and biological benefits that make all the difference in the final taste.
The cup-shaped canopy architecture
The main goal of our technique is to open the center of the tree, the area we farmers call the cross. If an orange tree grows wildly, its foliage becomes so dense and closed that the interior dies from lack of light. By clearing the center, we create a kind of open canopy that allows the sun’s rays to penetrate the innermost branches. This direct sunlight stimulates abundant flowering and, most importantly, increases the concentration of natural sugars that gives our oranges their unmistakable sweetness.
Ventilation against fungal diseases
By removing central branches that cross, hinder each other, or grow inwards, we allow the wind to blow right through the tree. Good internal aeration drastically reduces the ambient humidity accumulated inside the canopy. This simple and ancient process is our best preventive tool to avoid the development of fungi and guarantee the maximum health of the tree without ever having to resort to artificial treatments.
Controlling watershoots and managing the sap
Throughout the year, the orange tree develops very vigorous, intensely green, and completely vertical branches called watershoots. These branches grow very quickly looking for light from the inside or from the base of the trunk, but they barely bear fruit. In the field, we say they act like a drain that steals the sap, strength, and energy of the plant. Cutting them from the base is essential so that the orange tree concentrates all its nutrients and minerals on growing quality fruit, instead of producing wood that adds no value to the harvest.
Sanitary pruning and caring for the lower branches
In addition to opening the center, we pay special attention to the lower branches that almost touch the ground. Removing these low-hanging branches is vital to prevent soil moisture from affecting the fruit and to keep the orange tree clean. We also meticulously remove any dry or winter-damaged twigs. This makes the work much easier when the time comes for manual harvesting, allowing our team to treat each piece with the delicacy it deserves.
The perfect balance in the field: Not too much, not too little
Maintenance pruning on our adult trees is a purely artisanal task. Tradition and experience have taught us that we should never remove more than a quarter of the foliage volume in a single intervention. Leaves are the solar panels of the orange tree, essential for photosynthesis. If we prune excessively, we stress the tree, reducing its yield and causing unbalanced regrowth. What we always look for is quality over quantity: ensuring the tree maintains the exact volume of fruit so that the size is perfect, the skin is smooth, and the inside is bursting with natural juice.
Caring for the land of Valencia, caring for your diet
All this effort, carried out branch by branch with patience and a deep respect for the biological cycles of the earth, is what forms our identity. When you decide to receive our fruit in your home, you are not only enjoying fresh food, harvested to order without intermediaries or artificial ripening chambers. You are supporting a traditional, honest, and sustainable way of life that protects the agricultural landscape of Valencia.
If this reading from the orchard has whetted your appetite and you want to taste the result of so much care and dedication, we invite you to visit our Oranges category to discover all the organic varieties the season has to offer. And if you are looking for the most convenient and complete option to enjoy with your family, we recommend ordering your box of oranges from the website, prepared by hand and shipped to bring the pure essence of Alzira straight to your table.