What is the orchard for?
Domestic
You may be less particular about the plant varieties, the appearance of the produce, yields, shelf life and customer preferences. Seed-grown plants may be a suitable option if you’re working on a budget. However, try to obtain better varieties with high yields, good flavours, and attractive appearances. You may want to expand in future.
Business
Understanding customer preferences is critical. Discover what products are likely to sell and how long they can last without refrigeration. Additionally, have a crop you can use if it does not sell out. You may need to invest more money and resources in the plants and knowledge to produce a profitable product. Start small and expand only when you can manage a smaller acreage.
How soon do you want to get yields?
Instant Orchard
An instant orchard comprises larger plants that are ready or almost ready to produce a crop for the market. The transplant process may require one or two more years to get good yields for the market. However, the plants are usually hardened and less likely to die. Therefore, large vegetatively propagated plants (grafting, cuttings, and air layering) are preferred. The cost of such plants is higher, but the shorter time to begin production is advantageous.
Young edible plants
Buying young or small plants may be cheaper in the short term, but you will have to wait longer before producing results. The long wait may not be a problem for domestic set-ups. However, in the long term, the cost savings may not compensate for smaller plants’ higher risks of death in stressful conditions. The number of years of spending resources for the plants to grow before they are productive enough for the harvest to bring in some income. Calculating and choosing the option with better long-term outcomes and better profit margins is essential.
Plant sources
Getting plants from sources with a pest control regimen is preferable. Even organic growers require organic Pest control measures. Even soil and seeds can carry viruses, fungi, parasites, or eggs. Also, be cautious when acquiring plants, compost, or other gardening materials from friends, family, or strangers. You may introduce diseases and pests into your orchard that may spread. Orchard management, like livestock rearing, requires disease prevention (phytosanitary) measures. The Ministry of Agriculture inspects registered nurseries. So, they may be safer sources of plants than unregistered sources.
Diseased or contaminated produce may disqualify you from selling your produce, especially in the export market. Also, be cautious when buying banana suckers from the roadside. Infected suckers may infect the other bananas and the soil. Banana bunchy top is a viral disease caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), destroying banana plantations worldwide. The Citrus greening disease is also wiping out the global citrus industry. Ensure you obtain import permits for imported plants to prevent the introduction of infections into the country.
Expert advice
Plant sellers with experience growing those plants may offer the best advice, rather than those who buy plants for resale. Select suitable plant care and varieties for your local climate and specific challenges. The proper planting and care of crops determine the orchard’s yields, profits, and survival. It is better to pay for good plant management advice than to get free tips that cost you the orchard or business. Include expert consultations in your business budget.
Price
The price of plant materials depends on the sources; imported or rare plants may be more costly than locally sourced plants. Also, registered nursery owners who practice regular pest control may have higher overhead costs that will reflect in the final prices of the plants and products.
Compatibility
Lastly, as you set up your orchard, garden, or food forest, consider whether the plants are compatible with space and each other. Many fruit trees need at least 6 hours of sun exposure to grow, flower and produce fruit. Allow enough space between plants to allow sunlight to reach them. Always consider the potential size of fully grown plants when selecting a planting location. Large trees may cast shadows, prevent air circulation, and deprive smaller plants of nutrients and water. Also, avoid plants that attract pests and diseases to susceptible plants.