Detailed Explanation of Fertilization Techniques for Water Chestnut Bayberry

The water chestnut bayberry originated in Yuyao, and it is the main cultivated variety in the Yuyao bayberry market. The water chestnut bayberry has fine, tender flesh and a sweet, delicious taste. The key points of fertilization techniques for water chestnut bayberry are very important, so here is a detailed introduction for everyone.

I. Fertilization Time

Many fruit growers are accustomed to applying base fertilizer in spring, but at this time the fertilizer has not yet decomposed, and the newly grown spring shoots and fruit can hardly absorb it, so it does not play a role in promoting growth. When fertilizing, we can apply fertilizer appropriately according to the growth cycle of the water chestnut bayberry. For example, from early October to early November each year is the third peak period of root growth for the water chestnut bayberry, so base fertilizer can be applied in October, which can both provide nutrients for root growth and play a role in the growth of water chestnut bayberry buds the following year.

II. Fertilizer Types and Amounts

There are many types of fertilizer that can be applied to water chestnut bayberry, including compost, cake fertilizer, and poultry and livestock manure. The fertilizer amount for water chestnut bayberry is generally 10-5kg of barnyard manure or 15-20kg of compost or 1-2kg of cake fertilizer per bayberry tree (yield 50kg per tree). A small amount of biological fertilizer can also be added.

III. Fertilization Methods

The fertilization methods and amounts for water chestnut bayberry are divided by growth stage, and fertilization differs between mature water chestnut bayberry and young water chestnut bayberry.

1. Mature water chestnut bayberry trees

There are two fertilization methods for mature water chestnut bayberry: one is the ring fertilization method, in which fertilization is mainly centered on the main trunk, then a ring-shaped ditch 10-30 cm deep is dug according to the size of the canopy, and finally fertilizer is applied and covered with a thin layer of soil. This method uses a relatively large amount of fertilizer.

The second is the hole fertilization method, which takes the trunk of the water chestnut bayberry as the center, digs 5-6 holes of suitable size balanced with the arcs or lines around the canopy, or digs about 6 radial ditches 70-80cm long, 30-40cm wide, and 30cm deep, and finally applies fertilizer and covers with soil.

2. Young water chestnut bayberry trees

Young water chestnut bayberry has different growth characteristics, so the disk fertilization method is generally used. It takes the bayberry trunk as the center and rakes the soil open in a disk shape. The size of the fertilization disk is comparable to the canopy, with a depth of 20-30cm. The raked-out soil is piled around the outside of the disk, and after fertilization a layer of soil is covered again.

IV. Precautions

1. The organic fertilizer applied must already be decomposed; otherwise, the fertilizer applied will not only fail to promote growth, but may also lead to pests and diseases.

2. Organic fertilizer must not contain pesticides banned by the state, such as carbofuran.

3. The root system of bayberry is very important, and when applying base fertilizer, attention should be paid to the amount; too much can easily damage the roots.

The fertilization method for water chestnut bayberry is very important. If the fertilizer chosen is unsuitable, or the fertilization timing is incorrect, it may cause the water chestnut bayberry to become diseased or wither.