Key Technical Points for Planting and Management of Winter Jujube Trees During the Dormant Period
In November, winter jujube trees enter the dormant period, which is a favorable time for planting winter jujube. The main work this month includes applying base fertilizer, protecting the tree body, and building new orchards.
1. Applying base fertilizer: Applying base fertilizer at this time, when ground temperature is high and soil moisture is abundant, allows fertilizer to decompose quickly and facilitates root absorption. A trench application method can be used, applying 25-50 kg of well-rotted farmyard manure per tree, and at the same time, 2 kg of superphosphate can be mixed in per tree.
2. Whitewashing: Mix 10 parts quicklime, 1 part salt, 50 parts water, and 5 parts lime sulfur mixture thoroughly, then apply to the tree trunk.
3. Orchard establishment: 1. Site selection. Winter jujube is a shallow-rooted, strongly light-loving perennial fruit tree with early fruiting and a long lifespan. It has no strict soil requirements and is drought-tolerant, waterlogging-tolerant, and salt-alkali-tolerant, capable of growing in soil with a pH of 5.5-8.5. However, for newly built orchards, the site should meet the needs of tree growth and development as much as possible, so it is best to choose flat terrain with ample sunlight, fertile soil, good drainage and irrigation, and no pollution. 2. Planting time. Autumn planting is suitable after the seedlings shed their leaves and before the soil freezes. 3. Planting density. Commonly used in production are spacings of 2×3 m, 3×4 m, and 3×7 m. Based on the light-loving nature of winter jujube and the principle of rational land use, the 2×3 m and 3×4 m densities are relatively ideal.
4. Planting method: Generally single-row planting is used, mostly in rectangular arrangement with row spacing greater than plant spacing, and the row direction is best oriented north-south.
5. Planting techniques: 1. Seedling selection and treatment. To establish a dense-planting winter jujube orchard, choose vigorous seedlings over 1.2 m in height, with a trunk diameter over 1 cm, intact root systems, pure variety, well-healed graft unions, and no pests or diseases. It is best to plant seedlings immediately after lifting them. For seedlings transported long distances from other places, soak them in clean water for 10-20 hours, and trim damaged roots before planting. To improve the survival rate, rooting powder can be sprayed on the roots. Specific method: Dissolve rooting powder No. 3 with a small amount of alcohol, then dilute each gram with 10-25 kg of water and spray on the roots, then cover with wet straw mats for 2 hours before planting. 2. Key planting points. Dig planting holes 0.8-1 m in length, width, and depth. Keep topsoil and subsoil separate. Apply 25 kg of farmyard manure per planting hole, mix well with topsoil, and fill into the hole. As soil is filled in, lift the seedling and firm the soil. The planting depth should be such that the root collar is slightly above ground level; after irrigation causes settling, the root collar should be level with the ground surface.
After planting, water thoroughly once.
6. Post-planting management: 1. Cold protection for seedlings. For seedlings planted in autumn, cold protection measures should be taken to ensure safe overwintering. Specific methods: (1) Whitewashing and tying grass bundles. Immediately after planting, apply whitewash and tie grass bundles. Whitewash preparation method: 18 kg water + 2.5 kg salt + 0.1 kg vegetable oil + 0.05 kg starch + 0.75 kg sulfur powder. (2) Mounding soil for cold protection. Mound a 30 cm soil pile at the base of the seedlings for cold protection, and after the ground thaws the following spring, level it in 2-3 stages.