Detailed Explanation of New Measures for Flower and Fruit Retention in Lemon Cultivation

Lemon is one of the least cold-tolerant types of citrus, suited to places with warmer winters, summers that are not excessively hot, and relatively stable temperatures.

To make lemons bloom more and bear more fruit, scientific management must be carried out in aspects such as water, fertilizer and pruning, so as to increase the fruit-setting rate and commercial value of lemons.

1. Fertilizer and Water Management Techniques

After the spring buds sprout, first apply 0.2% zinc sulfate once; before flowering, at the young fruit stage and at the fruit expansion stage, spray together with “Guaguo Zhuangdiling” + 0.4%-0.5% urea + 0.2%-0.3% monopotassium phosphate. After the young fruits have set steadily, keep the soil moisture sufficient; the key is to water thoroughly once 10 days before early spring. When the fruit turns yellow and ripe, stop fertilizing and reduce watering, keeping the soil moist and slightly on the dry side. If excessive fertilizer and water continue to be given, the fruit will ripen prematurely and drop early.

2. Controlling Summer Shoots

During the fruit growth period, if fertilizer and water are sufficient and the plant's nutritional condition is good, some branches will sprout new shoots; the growth of new shoots will inevitably divert part of the nutrients, affecting fruit growth and also being unfavorable to flower bud differentiation. To keep the fruit, the new shoots that grow out should be promptly removed and pruned. The pruning wounds should be promptly smeared with “Yushang Fangfumo” for sterilization and disinfection.

3. Flower and Fruit Retention

Lemon has a vigorous growth characteristic; for fruiting trees, measures such as root cutting, water control and branch girdling can be used to control vigorous growth. From May to June during the flowering period, use girdling technology: with a blunt blade, girdle the smooth part of the trunk down to the xylem, then apply “Cuhuawang No. 2” to retain flowers and fruit and control the sprouting of summer shoots.

4. Spraying Boron Fertilizer

For boron-deficient orchards, spray 0.1%-0.2% borax at the flower bud differentiation stage, and spray once more after the flowers fall, to increase the fruit-setting rate and fruit quality.

Through the above new measures for flower and fruit retention in lemon trees, sufficient nutrients are ensured during the flowering and fruiting period and the nutrition is supplied in a concentrated way, thereby achieving stable and high yields.