When is the best time to fertilize a Chinese bayberry tree?

Clever fertilizing of Chinese bayberry is the key to high yield and quality. If the timing of fertilization is not handled properly, excessive vegetative growth of the Chinese bayberry tree is the main reason why young and middle-aged trees fail to bear fruit. The structure of the fertilizer also affects the flowering and fruiting of Chinese bayberry. What is the best time to fertilize a Chinese bayberry tree?

1. The best time to fertilize a Chinese bayberry tree

Fertilizing Chinese bayberry aims for high yield, stable yield, high quality and high efficiency. The fertilization principle is to increase potassium, reduce nitrogen and control phosphorus. Generally, fertilize 2-3 times a year.

When fertilizing 3 times a year: the 1st time is in February-March before sprouting, mainly potassium fertilizer, along with nitrogen fertilizer, adding 50g of Liheng water-soluble fertilizer per tree to meet the nutrient needs of Chinese bayberry spring shoot growth, flowering and fruit growth and development; the 2nd time is the fruit-swelling fertilizer applied in mid-May, mainly quick-acting potassium fertilizer, to supplement the nutrient needs of fruit growth and development and improve fruit quality; the 3rd time is in June-July after harvest, mainly organic fertilizer, supplemented by quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, to promptly replenish the tree's nutrients. The three times account for about 30%, 30% and 40% respectively.

When fertilizing twice a year: apply the 1st fertilizer before sprouting, accounting for about 40% of the amount, and apply the 2nd after harvest, accounting for about 60%.

2. Fertilization methods for Chinese bayberry trees

1. Trench fertilization method: dig a trench on each side of the outer edge of the canopy projection, each about 30cm wide and about 20-40cm deep, and apply the fertilizer into it.

2. Radial trench method: with the trunk as the center, dig 4-6 radial trenches at the canopy projection, about 30cm inside and outside, following the direction of horizontal root growth; the trenches are about 30cm wide and about 20-40cm deep, shallow inside and deep outside, to prevent too much damage to the Chinese bayberry tree roots.

3. Ring trench method: generally dig a ring trench 20-40cm deep and 20-40cm wide at a slightly farther distance outside the edge of the Chinese bayberry canopy projection and apply fertilizer.

Only by choosing the right time to apply fertilizer can the fruit trees grow better and the quality of the Chinese bayberry be guaranteed.