How to Grow Wampee? A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods of the "King of Fruits"

Wampee is a fruit with a long history in southern China. Its peel and seeds can both be used as medicine, and its medicinal value is very high. So, what cultivation methods are there for wampee? Let's take a look together!

1. Site selection

The growing environment temperature for wampee generally needs to be maintained at around 15 to 20 degrees, so when selecting a site, try to choose an area where the temperature is relatively easy to regulate. Tropical and subtropical regions in the south are suitable. Secondly, wampee has a relatively high water requirement, so try to choose a location close to a water source to facilitate later irrigation. Different soils can directly affect the service life of wampee trees, so it is best to choose a location with a relatively good drainage system, deep soil layers, loose soil texture, and sufficient soil fertility for planting.

2. Planting

The planting time for wampee is generally chosen around April each year. Before planting, we need to prepare in advance by growing the grafted seedlings of wampee. As the rootstock for grafting, we generally use sour wampee trees, planting them at a row spacing of 3 m and a plant spacing of 4 m. When the rootstock has grown to a certain stage, we can graft wampee onto it by grafting. After grafting, the graft union needs to be watered so that it can quickly fuse together and grow new branches.

3. Fertilization

The amount and type of fertilizer applied are related to the growth stage of wampee. Generally, for newly planted wampee, we usually need to fertilize multiple times. Each time new branches and leaves begin to grow, it needs one application, mainly nitrogen fertilizer to promote growth. A little phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can also be mixed in. At least 6 to 7 applications are needed per year. When the wampee tree begins to bear fruit, the amount of fertilizer needs to be increased and the number of applications reduced. About 10 days before flowering is the first fertilization, to promote the speed of flowering and increase the number of flowers. The second fertilization is carried out 5 days after successful fruit set, mainly to make the fruit grow fuller. Finally, after the fruit is harvested, fertilization is carried out, mainly to care for the wampee tree, maintain the basic needs of the wampee tree, and at the same time ensure the yield for the coming year.

4. Management

The daily management of wampee generally consists of water management in the orchard, density control, and weeding and cleaning the orchard. First, let's talk about water management. Under normal circumstances, we need to irrigate wampee at least 3 times. The first is at planting, the second is at flowering, and the third is at fruit set. When the fruit has grown to a certain size, do not water it anymore, otherwise the wampee will have no sugar content and the taste will be very bland. If there is a season with relatively more rain, the ditches in the orchard need to be cleared for drainage to maintain water balance. Later density control is mainly shown as pruning branches and leaves, cutting away branches and leaves with relatively low density, such as some relatively weak ones, those with pests and diseases, and those that are aging and bear relatively little fruit. This can maintain a reasonable density, maintain air permeability in the orchard, and carry out strong photosynthesis. As for weeding and cleaning the orchard, it is a relatively simple matter. Remove the weeds in the field and loosen the soil by the way, which can enhance the disease resistance of wampee trees.

5. Pest and disease control

Wampee generally does not easily develop diseases, but occasionally anthracnose and downy mildew blight occur. Before the disease occurs, we can strengthen daily orchard management and fertilizer and water management to improve their disease resistance, and clean the orchard to reduce sources of disease as prevention. When symptoms appear, we can use 65% zineb 500 times solution or 70% thiophanate-methyl 800—1000 times solution to control anthracnose, while for downy mildew blight, 90% fosetyl-aluminum 500 times solution, or 50% metalaxyl 500-700 times solution can be sprayed. As for insect pests, trichlorfon 800 times solution or other insecticides can be directly selected for control.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods of wampee. I hope it can help you!