A Detailed Guide to Fruit Tree Planting Methods and Key Techniques

Fruit is something we eat regularly, and growing fruit trees can bring decent economic returns. Fruit tree cultivation in China has a history of more than four thousand years, and with its rich resources of fruit tree species, it is one of the largest centers of origin in the world. So what are the key techniques for growing fruit trees?

1. Site selection

Choosing a planting site for fruit trees requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as the local environment, temperature, soil quality and weather changes. In addition, the planting site should be selected rationally according to the growing environment the fruit trees need. For example, hawthorn trees should be planted in slightly acidic sandy loam that is fertile, deep and loose, and well drained.

2. Choosing varieties

Fruit tree varieties have a major influence on orchard development and fruit quality. If suitable fruit tree varieties cannot be chosen, fruit quality and yield may be affected, and in serious cases this can lead to disease outbreaks, cause the fruit trees to die, and in turn bring serious economic losses to growers. Different fruit tree varieties have different requirements for growing conditions, and their production cycles also differ greatly. Therefore, when choosing fruit tree varieties, selection should be based on local environmental conditions to improve the results of fruit tree cultivation.

3. Fertiliser and water management

Fertiliser management: Fertiliser can provide enough nutrients for the growth of fruit trees. During the growth of fruit trees, fertiliser should be applied scientifically and rationally according to the growth situation at each stage. The amount of fertiliser needs to be decided according to the size of the fruit tree. If too much fertiliser is applied, it can easily burn the seedlings and ultimately cause the plant to die. At the same time, topdressing should be carried out at the right time to ensure the nutritional needs of fruit tree growth and development and flower bud differentiation are met. For topdressing, it is recommended to use a method of small amounts applied frequently, so that the fertiliser applied can be fully absorbed without being wasted. There are many choices for topdressing fertiliser, such as compound fertiliser specially made for fruit trees and plant ash.

Drainage and irrigation management: After fertilising, watering should be carried out in good time. The irrigation water must not be too alkaline, and of course must not be too acidic either. In seasons with heavy rainfall, attention should be paid to drainage in the orchard to avoid excessive water accumulation that affects root and stem respiration.

4. Pruning

To ensure that every fruit tree can get normal ventilation and light, the branches and trunks of the fruit trees need to be pruned, avoiding mutual shading between branches that leads to uneven light exposure. Deciduous fruit trees are pruned during the dormant period from leaf fall to bud break; in cold regions, pruning before bud break is preferable, while in warm areas it is best done after leaf fall. Evergreen fruit trees are best pruned after fruit harvest or before new shoots sprout in spring. Pruning methods include heading back, pinching, thinning, leaving shoots untrimmed, and scoring, ring cutting (girdling), twisting shoots or bending and softening branches. Pruning methods should be chosen according to the tree and local conditions. Generally, scaffold branches should maintain vigorous growth; auxiliary nutrient branches should have their growth vigour moderated in good time so they transform into fruiting branches; and old and weak branch groups need timely heading back and renewal.

5. Pest and disease control

Nowadays people advocate green, healthy living, and whether in modes of transport or ways of living, they prefer greener approaches. Therefore, to meet people's living needs and protect the ecological environment, the use of pesticides should be avoided as much as possible during fruit tree cultivation, and pest and disease control should focus on physical control, biological control and agricultural measures.

In addition, during fruit tree cultivation, the dosage and timing of pesticide spraying should also be well controlled to avoid affecting the effectiveness of pesticide application and thereby causing pesticide damage.