What are the cultivation techniques for apricot trees? A detailed explanation of the key points of planting and management
The apricot tree is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family. Its fruit is one of the common fruits, its wood is one of the materials used for furniture, and its leaves can be used as feed. It is cultivated all over the world. So what cultivation techniques does it have? Let's find out below.
Cultivation techniques of the apricot tree
1. Choosing the site and choosing the variety
The apricot is a sun-loving tree species with strong adaptability, a deep root system, a love of light, drought tolerance, cold resistance, and wind resistance, and its lifespan can reach more than a hundred years. It is a major cultivated fruit tree in low mountain and hilly areas. It is suitable for planting on sandy loam soil with deep soil layers and good drainage. Depending on the region, different cultivated varieties are chosen, such as Crystal apricot in the Beijing area, Daxiangbai apricot in Hebei, Dayu apricot in Licheng, Shandong, and Dajie apricot in Lanzhou, and so on.
2. Planting
Dig holes and make beds according to a plant-to-row spacing of 1.5m×4m, with holes 1m long×1m wide×0.8m deep, and at the same time apply about 10kg of decomposed organic fertilizer into each hole. When planting, the seedlings are planted separately by grade. Place the seedling into the hole, and when the soil has been filled to 1/3, lift the seedling up a little so that the root system spreads out fully, then add soil and firm it down. After planting, irrigate thoroughly to settle the tree hole.
3. Fertilizer and water
When the new shoots grow to about 15 cm, begin applying quick-acting fertilizer, alternating between soil topdressing and foliar spraying. From the end of September to the beginning of October, apply organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer. After enclosing the greenhouse, apply urea before bud break, and from after flower drop to the fruit enlargement stage, topdress with potassium sulfate compound fertilizer, and spray urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate every 10-15 days. In addition, a 500-fold yield-increasing bacterium can be sprayed at the same time. After the seedlings are planted, water once thoroughly, and thereafter determine the amount and timing of watering according to the specific situation.
4. Pruning
Pruning should be determined according to the condition of the tree. Generally, for young trees and trees that have just begun to bear fruit, winter pruning should take into account both shaping and fruiting; for trees in the full bearing period, prune according to the growth vigor of the branches and the space conditions of each part of the canopy; and for trees in the aging period, the main focus is to promote the sprouting of latent buds for renewal.
In addition, pest and disease control should be done in advance at different times, such as the brown-tail moth and brown spot disease in July.