How to plant Fengtang plum saplings? A detailed guide to growing techniques
AbstractPlanting density: on mountainous, hilly or barren land, planting can be done at a row spacing of 4 m x 3 m, while on plots with better soil fertility, planting can be done at a row spacing of 3 m x 5 m. Fertilizer and water management: in October of autumn, 4000 kg of organic fertilizer can be applied per mu. Branch and shoot management: control excessive growth of new shoots and promote flower bud differentiation. Flower and fruit management: thin out deformed fruit, diseased and insect-damaged fruit and surplus fruit. Pest and disease control: spray 5-degree lime sulfur mixture to clean the orchard.
I. Planting density
1. Fengtang plum grows fast and has a relatively vigorous tree habit. According to the topography and landforms, soil fertility and the requirement for early yield, the planting density needs to be reasonably determined. Generally, on mountainous, hilly or relatively barren land, it is recommended to use a row spacing of 4 m×3 m, trained to a natural open-center shape, or to plant densely at a spacing of 2 m×3 m.
2. Train to a central-leader shape and carry out long-branch pruning to achieve the goal of early high yield. For plots with better soil fertility, planting can be appropriately sparse; it is recommended to use a row spacing of 3 m×5 m, trained to an open-center shape.
II. Fertilizer and water management
1. Fengtang plum fruit is relatively large and has high requirements for fertilizer and water. It is recommended to apply base fertilizer heavily in October of autumn, with 4000 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, while weak trees can be given one topdressing of decomposed human manure and urine, or potassium sulfate-type nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer, before flowering.
2. After the pit-hardening stage, about every 15 days, in combination with pest and disease control, foliar fertilizers such as monopotassium phosphate can be sprayed on the leaves.
3. Immediately after harvest, apply one topdressing of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to restore tree vigor, and at the same time water timely according to soil moisture conditions, especially during the bud break stage, the fruit pit-hardening stage and the rapid expansion stage, when a sufficient water supply must be ensured.
III. Branch and shoot management
During this period, excessive growth of new shoots must be controlled and flower bud differentiation promoted. Measures such as pinching, twisting shoots, bending branches, pulling branches, girdling, or using the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol can be used to control excessive growth of Fengtang plum new shoots, weaken tree vigor, balance vegetative growth and reproductive growth, and promote flower bud differentiation.
IV. Flower and fruit management
1. At a ratio of 8:1, plant “Siyue plum”, whose flowering period is basically consistent with that of Fengtang plum and which has strong pollen compatibility, and use cross-pollination to increase the fruit-setting rate. Thin fruit strictly and keep a reasonable load. When Fengtang plum enters the full fruit-bearing stage, fruit setting is good, and strict fruit thinning and a reasonable load are needed to achieve the proper fruit size and excellent quality.
2. Generally, fruit thinning can be carried out at the end of April when large and small fruit can be clearly distinguished. During this period, thin out deformed fruit, diseased and insect-damaged fruit and surplus fruit; retain 1 fruit on flower-cluster fruit branches and short fruit branches, and retain fruit at 4-5 cm intervals on medium and long fruit branches.
V. Pest and disease control
Fengtang plum is relatively resistant to bacterial shot hole disease and gummosis, and pests and diseases are relatively mild. After leaf fall and before germination, 5-degree lime sulfur mixture can be sprayed to clean the orchard. Pay attention to controlling aphids before and after flowering; other pests and diseases can be controlled with reasonable pesticide use according to their occurrence.
VI. Timely harvest
Generally, harvesting at the firm-ripe stage is appropriate, that is, picking when the ground color of the fruit skin changes from green to yellow and the taste is crisp and sweet.