Loquat Tree Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Loquat has a very long history in our country. In the "Records of the Grand Historian - Biography of Sima Xiangru," the "Rhapsody on the Shanglin Park" is quoted as saying: “……The black orange ripens in summer, the yellow mandarin and orange zhen, the loquat and the mu-ran persimmon……”. Here we will introduce loquat and its cultivation and management.
I. The history of loquat
As early as the Han Dynasty, loquat was already a famous fruit and rare tree. Emperor Taizong of Tang once had a loquat note saying: “The envoy has arrived, and I have received the loquat fruits that were presented. I am deeply comforted and pleased. This fine fruit and precious flavor stands alone as the freshest of the season. But since the roads of Shu are already distant, there is no need to send more.” This shows that fresh loquat fruit has always been enjoyed as a high-grade fruit. Moreover, the leaves, flowers, roots, and white wood bark of loquat all have important medicinal value. As early as more than 1,500 years ago during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, it was already known to use loquat leaves to treat diseases.
Loquat differs from most fruit trees in that its flowering period is from October to December, and its fruiting period is from May to June of the following year, that is, it blooms in autumn or early winter, while loquat fruit ripens from spring to early summer, earlier than other fruits. Therefore, it is called “the one among fruit trees that alone possesses the qi of all four seasons.” Today's loquat has evolved into many varieties. Due to different producing areas and varieties, the ripening periods of loquat also differ, and some early-maturing varieties are already on the market in March.
II. Cultivation and management of loquat trees
1. For planting loquat, plots with deep soil layers, rich organic matter, good drainage, and a low groundwater level should be selected. For flatland planting, water accumulation should be prevented, and deep trenches should be dug and raised mounds built for cultivation.
2. Rooted seedlings are best planted before loquat sprouting in spring. Because loquat leaves are large and water evaporation is also great, half or two-thirds of the leaves should be cut off during planting to reduce water evaporation and improve the survival rate after loquat planting. Loquat planting must be shallow, and immediately after planting it should be thoroughly watered with settling water, and the tree disk should be covered with weeds.
3. The amount, timing, and method of loquat fertilization should be determined according to biological characteristics, goals, yield, fertilizer type, and soil fertility.
4. Loquat pruning mainly involves removing overly dense branches, dead branches, diseased and pest-infested branches, and leggy branches, so as to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, concentrate nutrients, and avoid the outward movement of fruiting positions.
5. During the period when summer shoots sprout and form fruiting mother branches, common major pests and diseases include the red spider mite, yellow spider mite, raised-tail caterpillar, yellow hairy caterpillar, longhorn beetle, loquat gray butterfly, pear fruit borer, and damage from branch and trunk rot, leaf spot disease, and others. Fertilizer and water management should be strengthened, drainage and irrigation facilities should be improved, the tree's disease resistance should be enhanced, and pesticide spraying should be carried out in a timely manner.
The above are the main key points to note in the cultivation and management of loquat trees. Friends who grow loquat trees should pay more attention to the condition of the loquat trees and carry out timely targeted treatment when abnormal conditions are found.