Here comes another season for the island cream-of-the-crop-Luyang navel oranges. Cultivated in Luyang, Pingtan, an island off E China's Fujian province, the citrus fruit is a humble gift of nature bestowed with graceful curves, sun-kissed golden skin, and full-bodied ambrosial sweetness.   

"When it comes to fruit-picking, go for a well-rounded golden fruit. Snip gently on the stalk. It's just as simple as that. But make sure you avoid the branches and leaves," explained Lin Chuanwen, owner of a navel orange orchard in Lubei Village.　

A quick scan across the vast orchard, you'll see ripe golden pendulums hanging over bowing branches as "grazing tourists" go on a treasure hunt. "We came to pick every year. The oranges are sweet and succulent," said Zhou Qiong, a resident who came with friends to pick up dozens of the fruit.   

Lin Chuanwen is a beginner at growing navel oranges. "I started the cultivation in 2018. The orchard mainly focuses on providing a fruit-picking experience for tourists," said Lin Chuanwen.

Fruit farmer Lin Faqiang has been in the field for nearly two decades, accumulating massive clientele. They are up to their neck to meet market demands.

Precision management is the guarantee of bumper harvest. "Most of navel orange trees are over ten years old. The entire orchard has efficient irrigation systems. We also utilized 'green' technologies like solar-powered pest-control lamps to prevent and control diseases and pests," introduced Lin Faqiang.

Lin Faqiang has been studying grafting technology to improve the variety. "Each mu yields approximately 3,000 kilograms, and the harvest period can last until the Spring Festival. We expect to make 300,000 yuan in a year," said Lin Faqiang.

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