How to Promote Coloring and Flowering in Citrus? Practical Cultivation Methods Shared

To achieve beautiful coloring and high fruit quality in citrus, the key is to apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizers early, because phosphorus and potassium help sugar accumulation and protein formation, and increase fruit coloring. Never spray fast-acting nitrogen fertilizer; with abundant nitrogen and vigorous tree growth, most photosynthetic products are converted into nitrogen-containing organic compounds and consumed by new shoot growth, while the fruit shows thick rind and large size, green peel, poor color change, low juice content, less soluble sugar, and poor quality. Foliar spraying mainly supplements phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and sulfur (such as: Lufenwei Guoliangliang), which can make citrus ripen early, develop sand-like texture, increase yield noticeably, produce fruit of uniform size with luster, and have a lasting effect against frost. Spray once when the fruit begins to change color, then spray again at an interval of 10-15 days.

The quality of citrus flower bud differentiation determines the number of flowers next year, the flower quality, and the fruit-setting rate, so doing a good job of flower promotion is one of the important measures to ensure a bumper harvest next year. The three most important measures are as follows:

Girdling to promote flowering

Generally carried out from mid-to-late November to early December, using a knife to girdle the trunk or branches with 1-2 rings, which can promote nutrient accumulation in the upper branches and increase sap concentration. However, note: girdling should not be too heavy, with depth reaching the xylem but not damaging the xylem. If girdling with two rings, the spacing should be greater than 3 cm. Do not peel bark, and do not use a saw for girdling, otherwise it cannot heal. Girdling is mostly used on young and vigorous trees; old trees and weak trees generally should not be girdled to promote flowering, because old and weak trees themselves tend toward reproductive growth and easily form flowers, and if girdled, the wounds are difficult to heal. Pay attention to the weather; neither dry strong winds nor rainy days are suitable for girdling. Before and after girdling, spray 1-2 times with high-phosphorus, high-potassium foliar fertilizer to provide sufficient nutrients to meet the needs of flower bud differentiation. It is best to choose long-acting, foliar slow-release fertilizer (such as: Lufenwei Huazhibao), with a duration generally of 15-20 days.

Rational application of winter fertilizer

The fertilizer type is mainly long-acting organic fertilizer, such as peanut bran and chicken manure, combined with fast-acting chemical fertilizer. This fertilization should account for about 30% of the total annual fertilizer application.

Pay attention to water control

Moderate drought in winter is the external condition for citrus flower bud differentiation, which can inhibit growth and increase sap concentration. Generally, water control begins in mid-to-late November, by digging soil to expose roots or combining with deep plowing to improve soil, carrying out partial root cutting to control growth and water absorption. When controlling water, note that “leaf color slightly pale, leaves slightly curled” is appropriate. If drought is too severe, spray a thin mist of water on the leaves in moderation to avoid massive leaf drop.