Detailed Explanation of the Key Techniques for Summer Pruning of Apricot Trees

Apricot trees have strong adaptability, bear fruit early, live long, and have low requirements for cultivation conditions; they are suitable not only for open-field cultivation but also for pot cultivation. Apricot fruits are attractive in shape, fragrant in scent, and rich in nutrients, and are loved by many people. So what are the key techniques for summer pruning of apricot trees? How should they be managed after harvest?

1. What are the key techniques for summer pruning of apricot trees?

1. Bud removal

That is, after sprouting in spring, promptly remove young buds or tender shoots that are in unsuitable positions or are too numerous and crowded, so as to reduce nutrient consumption and allow the remaining branches to obtain sufficient nutrients and light. This method is mostly used on young trees. The earlier the buds are removed, the better, and it is advisable that the length of the tender shoots not exceed 3-5 cm. At this time the branches have not yet become lignified, so they can be removed by hand, and the wounds caused also heal easily; when old trees are renovated, many useless small branches also tend to sprout near pruning and saw cuts, and these should also be removed early.

2. Branch bending

For young trees of some varieties, some vigorously growing upright branches are prone to emerge, causing the canopy to remain unopened. For such branches, after sap flow begins and before bud break, use rope to pull them to a certain angle, so as to moderate their vigor, promote the growth of fruiting branches, and bring fruiting earlier. The bending angle should not be too large; 45-50 degrees is advisable, because if the angle is too large or they are bent too far, upright vigorous branches will again develop on the upper side, and they will still grow vigorously and affect flower formation and fruiting.

2. How should apricot trees be managed after harvest?

1. After the apricot fruits are harvested, one interrow cultivation and loosening of the soil should be carried out throughout the orchard in combination with weed control, generally to a depth of about 10 cm. Before leaf fall, deep plowing should be carried out in combination with the application of base fertilizer, with a depth of 30-40 cm being advisable.

2. After the apricot fruits are harvested, fertilizer should be applied as early as possible, especially for trees with weaker vigor and those that bore more fruit that year; fertilizer should be applied promptly to make up for the consumption of nutrients in the tree. Immediately after harvesting the fruit, apply 1 application of organic-inorganic compound fertilizer to the apricot trees; according to tree age and the amount of fruit borne that year, apply organic-inorganic compound fertilizer per tree, then water.

3. In combination with pesticide spraying, carry out foliar fertilizer application, spraying a mixture of 0.3% monopotassium phosphate and 0.2% urea + Xin Gao Zhi Mo, so as to increase the tree's nutrient accumulation and improve the number and quality of flower buds.

4. In early October, apply base fertilizer, mainly high-quality farmyard manure, mixed with a small amount of compound fertilizer. Generally, for 5-6-year-old newly fruiting trees, apply 30-50 kg of farmyard manure per tree, along with high-nitrogen high-potassium potassium sulfate compound fertilizer; for trees in full fruiting stage, apply farmyard manure and high-nitrogen high-potassium potassium sulfate compound fertilizer per tree, and water immediately after application.

5. After the apricot fruits are harvested, the first watering should be carried out promptly, so that the soil moisture is most favorable for the growth and development of the apricot trees. This watering can ensure normal flower bud differentiation and the growth, aging, and maturation of branches. If there is a lot of rain during this period, watering may be omitted, and attention should also be paid to drainage. Where conditions permit, water thoroughly once before the soil freezes, and spray the whole orchard with Hu Shu Jiang Jun to ensure that the apricot trees overwinter safely.