Novelty: Farmers in Nhut land 'put up mosquito nets' to grow oranges

(Baonghean.vn) - "Putting mosquito nets" on oranges to prevent insects is a fairly new story in the family of Mr. Dang Van Thang in Hamlet 26/3, Youth Volunteer Corps 2, Thanh Duc Commune, Thanh Chuong (Nghe An).

Coming to Mr. Thang’s orange garden in the middle of the harvest season, everyone was surprised to see the rows of oranges on the hill covered with white curtains, from top to bottom. Each curtain was dozens of meters long, sewn together from many panels of curtains, covering almost the entire row of oranges.

Orange trees are covered with curtains at Dang Van Thang's house in Hamlet 26/3, Youth Volunteer Corps 2, Thanh Duc Commune, Thanh Chuong. Photo: Huy Thu

According to Mr. Thang, this screen was put on the oranges about 3 months ago. That was when the oranges were almost ripe, giving off a fragrant smell, and many insects gathered in the orange garden to "sting". The screen covering the oranges initially attracted the attention of orange growers in the commune. Everyone found it strange because up to now, only insects were killed to protect the oranges by catching them by hand, spraying pesticides, using light bulbs, and wrapping the oranges in plastic bags, but no one had ever put up a screen for the oranges.

Mr. Thang's family has 8 hectares of hill garden, of which there are about 1,000 orange and tangerine trees; currently, the Xa Doai orange variety planted in 2012 has produced fruit...

Local people have used many methods to deal with pests that destroy oranges, especially the red-eyed "ghost butterfly" that burns and drops tons of fruit. Mr. Thang's family, as well as many other orange growers, have implemented many methods of prevention but they have not been effective. And "hanging mosquito nets" for oranges is the solution that Mr. Thang's family has tested.

The screen is removed as the oranges are harvested. Photo: Huy Thu

After many nights of thinking, Mr. Thang came up with the idea of ​​protecting the orange trees with a cage. At first, he thought of covering the orange trees with steel mesh, but the mesh was quite expensive and not durable against rain and sun, so he thought of buying a screen to cover the orange trees.

The couple agreed to go to Vinh market to buy a whole roll.screen, go to try on each row of oranges to sew. "People are lying on old screens, but the trees are covered with brand new screens. It's easy to get laughed at" - Mr. Thang said jokingly.

Because it was his first time, Mr. Thang only piloted a part of the area to monitor, compare and gain experience. After a short time, 100 orange trees in his garden were protected by "nets"; the cost was about 150,000 - 200,000 VND/tree.

The oranges are covered with a protective film that protects nearly 100% of the fruit; the oranges are large, beautiful, and not scorched or bitten by insects. Photo: Huy Thu

"I am very happy that the oranges are smooth and beautiful. Common destructive caterpillars cannot penetrate the net. After 3 months, the first batch of oranges "under the net" had about 1 ton of fruit. The quality of the oranges is very good, the color of the fruit is beautiful, delicious..." - Mr. Thang shared.

After harvesting the oranges, these nets will be washed, dried, and used again in the next orange season. It is expected that one net purchase will last for 3-4 years; the cost of netting each orange tree is from 50,000 - 70,000 VND, which may be more expensive than other solutions but it is effective protection and ensures clean products.

Mr. Thang affirmed: Covering oranges with a net is a success beyond expectations. Covering oranges with a net prevents them from being bitten by insects and butterflies, and also prevents the fruit from being burned. In particular, this method helps growers avoid having to catch insects all night, or carry a pesticide sprayer.

Currently, Mr. Thang's "mosquito net" oranges are popular with consumers. Many buyers have registered but there are no oranges to sell.

A Dien grapefruit tree was also covered with a pilot shade by Mr. Thang. Photo: Huy Thu

"The effect is clear, next orange season I will "put mosquito nets" on all the oranges in the garden. Although the initial cost is quite high, the orange product is clean, ensuring the reputation of my orange garden" - Mr. Thang affirmed.

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Huy Thu