How to protect citrus leaves in winter? These six measures you need to master

After citrus enters dormancy in winter, 40-60% of the tree's nutrients are stored in the leaves. Therefore, protecting leaves in winter not only helps enhance the tree's cold resistance and promote flower bud differentiation, but also benefits bud break, flowering and fruiting the following spring. Leaf protection measures mainly include the following points:

1. Spraying for leaf protection

The focus is on controlling red spider mites. Red spider mites are one of the main pest mites of citrus, with no obvious diapause period. When winter temperatures are low, red spider mites still cause relatively serious damage, and are one of the main causes of abnormal leaf drop in citrus. When the number of red spider mites on leaves exceeds 1 per leaf, you can begin spraying propargite or other acaricides.

2. Fertilizing for leaf protection

After citrus harvest, nutrients are deficient. If fertilizer is not applied in time, some citrus orchards will show leaf curling and wilting. Therefore, spraying fertilizer after citrus fruit picking can keep the leaves dark green and help the tree recover quickly. The amount of fertilizer sprayed should be adapted to the tree's condition.

3. Plant growth regulators for leaf protection

Foliar spraying of 500-1000 mg paclobutrazol can enhance chlorophyll synthesis in leaves, improve leaf photosynthetic capacity, and prevent leaf senescence. Spraying 10-20 mg of 2,4-D can prevent abscission layer formation and abnormal leaf drop.

4. Pruning for leaf protection

The main purpose is to improve light conditions through pruning and promote leaf photosynthesis. Thin out dense branches, crossing branches and overlapping branches, pruning according to the requirements of leaving gaps and removing density, keeping strong branches and removing weak ones. At the same time, cut off water sprouts, drooping branches and branches with severe pests and diseases.

5. Drought resistance and waterlogging prevention

Drought and water shortage can easily lead to root drying, reduced absorption capacity, increased leaf transpiration, and cause leaf drop. Therefore, after winter begins, if drought occurs, drought resistance and water conservation measures should be taken, promptly using furrow irrigation or hole irrigation, combined with foliar fertilizer and water spraying. If there is continuous rainy weather, drainage ditches should be opened in time.

6. Freeze prevention for leaf protection

After fruit harvest, combine deep soil plowing with one heavy fertilizer application, then earth up around the trunk to raise soil temperature. In the early stage of Frost's Descent, whitewash the trunk or wrap it with straw.