Detailed Explanation of Majia Pomelo Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

AbstractMajia pomelo needs to be planted in soil with good drainage and high organic matter content. When building an orchard on mountain land, fruit belts 3.5 m wide should be cut along contour lines, with a height difference of 1.3 m between different terrace surfaces. Note that the outer edge of the fruit belt should be higher than the inner edge. The planting spacing between plants and rows is about 4 m. The planting soil can be mixed with a small amount of base fertilizer. During growth, urea, nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, etc. can be applied as topdressing. In the later stage, prune leggy branches and excessively vigorous branches in time, and use insecticides to control pests and diseases.

I. Site Selection and Orchard Establishment

(1) Majia pomelo can be planted in hilly areas, on southeast- and southwest-facing slopes with a gradient not exceeding 25°. Majia pomelo has a tall canopy and a well-developed root system, so the soil layer at the planting site should be at least 1 m deep. It can be planted in soil with good drainage and high organic matter content. In southern regions, red soil and sandy loam are common.

(2) When establishing an orchard on mountain land, fruit belts 3.5 m wide need to be cut along contour lines. A height difference of 1.3 m between different terrace surfaces is suitable, and the outer edge of the fruit belt should be higher than the inner edge, which is beneficial for later drainage.

II. Planting

(1) The planting spacing of Majia pomelo between plants and rows is 4×3.5 m. Mountain land has height differences, and the canopies of Majia pomelo in different rows affect each other relatively little, so appropriate close planting is possible.

(2) When planting, dig pits 80-100 cm deep, mix the original soil with base fertilizer, and backfill after planting the seedlings. During planting, the roots and stems of the seedlings should be naturally spread out and separated. When backfilling, pile a conical mound of soil around the trunk of the seedling, and the top of the cone needs to be 20 cm above the ground. After gently compacting the soil, water it thoroughly. After planting, if the weather is relatively dry, water again after 15 days, which helps improve the survival rate of the seedlings.

III. Water and Fertilizer Management

(1) Young trees: Majia pomelo grows relatively vigorously, so its fertilizer requirement is also relatively large. During the growth stage of young trees, fertilizer should be applied in small amounts but frequently. One month after planting, apply topdressing once; afterward, apply topdressing once every 2 months. A total of 5 fertilizer applications can be made throughout the year. Each tree can be given 1 jin of urea. After half a year, gradually increase the application amount at a ratio of 30%.

(2) Mature trees: Fertilization can be carried out before and after shoot sprouting, during fruit setting, during fruit enlargement, and after fruit harvest, for a total of 4 fertilizer applications throughout the year. Quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be applied before and after shoot sprouting; quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer can be applied during fruit setting; phosphorus and potassium fertilizer and quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be applied during fruit enlargement; after fruit harvest, the tree body loses relatively more nutrients, so a large amount of organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer can be applied at this time to supplement the tree's nutrient needs.

IV. Shaping and Pruning

Pruning young Majia pomelo trees can cultivate a high-yield tree framework. During this period, excessively vigorous branches and leggy branches can be pruned away, and main branches and side branches should be cultivated in a planned way so that the trunk forms a naturally open-center tree shape. Mature Majia pomelo trees have tall canopies and vigorous branches and leaves, so the top branches need to be pruned appropriately, which is beneficial for light penetration and ventilation of the tree body. Branches growing inside should be pruned less; only necessary crossing branches should be pruned, which is beneficial for cultivating inner fruiting branches.

V. Pest and Disease Control

When Majia pomelo is planted on mountain land, the main pest and disease include swallowtail butterflies. During this period, spray insecticide once every 15 days for control. For pests such as red spider mites, multiple acaricides need to be used alternately, which helps improve the control effect.