Growing Pixie Oranges in Lamu

Soil suitability analysis based on Lamu's nutrient profile

Lamu County is a challenging environment for Pixie Oranges (soil-match score 0/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.31 — slightly acidic to near-neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — measured at N 0.74 g/kg, P 9.6 mg/kg, K 117 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing those deficits. The county's predominantly sandy soils suit Pixie Oranges, which favours sandy loam. At 10 m, the county sits below Pixie Oranges's preferred altitude range (1000–2000 m), which limits yield potential due to heat stress. At current prices (about KES 28/kg) and a typical 4,000 kg/acre yield, a well-managed Pixie Oranges crop here can gross roughly KES 112,000 per acre.