Growing Pixie Oranges in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Taita Taveta County is a challenging environment for Pixie Oranges (soil-match score 30/100) and will need significant amendment before planting. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Pixie Oranges prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/high demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Pixie Oranges, which favours sandy loam. 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.