Quang Ngai: Farmers "dress up" pomelo trees to protect them from the sun.

SGGPO 24/07/2023 17:17

The entire Nghia Hanh district ( Quang Ngai province) has more than 790 hectares of fruit trees, of which green-skinned pomelo is one of the main crops. The main pomelo season starts from the end of July to September. To prevent the pomelos from getting sunburned or turning yellow, orchard owners have to "dress" the fruit in protective clothing to shield them from the sun.

Gardeners "dress up" grapefruit to protect them from the sun. (Photo by: NGUYEN TRANG)

A pomelo orchard in Hanh Minh commune, Nghia Hanh district. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Pham Van Dat (Hanh Minh commune, Nghia Hanh district) has over 5,000 ^{m² of} fruit trees, including more than 30 green pomelo trees. Mr. Dat bought many bags and nylon-blend cloth bags to wrap the pomelos; this is how orchard owners protect the pomelos from browning when they are about to be harvested, ensuring that the fruit ripens evenly and looks beautiful.

Mr. Dat is wrapping a grapefruit in a bag to protect it from the sun. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Dat said: “This year, pomelos are priced at around 25,000-30,000 VND/kg, with the highest price reaching 35,000 VND/kg. Due to harsh weather conditions, many pomelo flowers have fallen off. Now is the peak harvest season, and to minimize losses and improve the quality of the fruit, each pomelo is carefully wrapped.”

According to Mr. Dat, wrapping grapefruit can protect it from both the heat and the effects of pests and insects.

The grapefruit, ready for harvest, are carefully wrapped to protect them from the sun and insects, thus improving their quality. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Huynh Sum (Hanh Minh commune, Nghia Hanh district) said: "If the pomelos are not covered, the peel will turn slightly reddish-yellow, shrivel, bruise, and have a burnt, sun-scorched smell when eaten. That's why I have to shade them, especially in places where the sun shines directly. Too much sunlight is not good for the pomelos to grow."

Mr. Sum uses palm fronds to cover the grapefruit trees to protect them from the sun. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Sum's orchard covers an area of over 3,500 ^square meters, with approximately 150 grapefruit trees, which are the main crop. He started growing grapefruit over 8 years ago, propagating and replanting each year. Mr. Sum said: "Last year, I sold 3 tons of grapefruit at a price of 30,000-35,000 VND/kg, and this year the price is also 30,000 VND/kg, but unfortunately, the grapefruit crop failed due to a high rate of flower drop, up to 50%."

Mr. Sum also learned how to use biological preparations to fertilize fruit trees and improve the surface soil of perennial plants, resulting in more beautiful pomelos.

Mr. Sum also used coconut leaf sheaths to cover the pomelos after he removed the cloth bags, waiting for traders to come and buy them. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Grapefruits weighing 1.5 - 1.8 kg are in high demand in the market. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhat Le, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hanh Minh commune, said: "Hanh Minh commune has 20 hectares of large fruit trees, mainly pomelo, rambutan, durian, etc. This year's weather is very harsh, so the pomelo setting rate is more difficult, therefore, orchard owners need to maintain the quality of the fruit to sell it at a better price."

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