Everything You Need to Know About Dalandan (Philippine Orange) — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Dalandan — the Filipino citrus prized for its tangy juice and sawsawan.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant.
Dalandan juice is a popular refreshing drink, especially during the hot months. The juice is used in sawsawan (dipping sauce) for grilled meats and fish. It is also used to make marmalade and as a souring agent in some dishes. Fresh dalandan juice with honey is a common Filipino home remedy for colds.
Dalandan is a beloved Filipino citrus fruit, distinct from kalamansi due to its larger size and sweeter-tarter flavor. It is widely grown in Batangas, Laguna, and Mindanao. Dalandan juice vendors are a common sight in Filipino public markets and along highways. The fruit is an important commercial crop in the Philippines.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving.
Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
Every 2-3 days; keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce slightly before flowering to induce bloom.
Apply citrus-specific or 14-14-14 fertilizer quarterly. Foliar spray with micronutrients (zinc, manganese) twice a year.
25-35°C (tropical; not frost-tolerant)
60-80%
Mulch around the base. Prune water sprouts and dead wood. Maintain clean trunk to prevent bark diseases.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest.
Skin turns from green to yellowish-orange. Fruit feels heavy for its size and yields slightly to pressure. Aroma becomes fragrant and sweet.
Clip fruit from the branch with pruning shears, leaving a short stem. Handle gently. Store at room temperature for 5-7 days or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Citrus leaf miner
Cause: Leaf miner larvae creating silvery tunnels in young leaves
Solution: Spray neem oil on new flushes. Remove heavily affected leaves. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes tender growth.
Citrus canker
Cause: Bacterial infection causing raised brown lesions on fruit, leaves, and stems
Solution: Prune and burn infected parts. Spray copper-based bactericide. Avoid overhead watering. Buy disease-free planting material.
Fruit drop
Cause: Water stress, nutrient deficiency, or fruit fly attack
Solution: Maintain consistent watering. Apply balanced fertilizer. Set up fruit fly traps during fruiting season.
Greening disease (Huanglongbing)
Cause: Bacterial disease spread by Asian citrus psyllid
Solution: Buy certified disease-free seedlings. Control psyllid populations with neem oil or appropriate insecticide. Remove and destroy infected trees to prevent spread.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.