Mulberry Cultivation Techniques: Timely Transplanting and Controlling Planting Density Are Key
China was the first country in the world to plant mulberries and raise silkworms, and sericulture is also one of the great contributions of the Chinese nation to human civilization. There are many mulberry varieties and the cultivation areas are relatively extensive. The requirements for the growing environment are not high, and the soil can be planted whether in mountainous areas or plains. Mulberry orchards are generally built on fertile loam with deep soil layers and a low groundwater table. In orchards with open terrain, good light conditions and air circulation, the fruit mulberries grow vigorously, with high yields and good quality. Let's take a look below at mulberry cultivation techniques. Timely transplanting and controlling planting density are the key factors for successful cultivation.
1. How to prepare the land? What base fertilizer is good to apply?
To prevent waterlogging, facilitate drainage and ensure soil aeration, a tractor can be used to open furrows and form ridges, followed by manual trimming. Before planting, the land is generally deeply plowed and leveled all over, and a tractor is used to open cross ditches and side ditches 60cm wide and 60cm deep, forming ridges 2.5-3.0m wide and 30-40cm high. On both sides of the ridge, planting ditches are dug, each 50cm deep and 50cm wide. A layer of straw about 20cm thick is spread on the bottom of the ditch, covered with about 10cm of topsoil, and organic fertilizer and N, P, K compound fertilizer are then applied on the topsoil, followed by backfilling. The types and amounts of fertilizer used are straw 1000-2000kg/667m2, organic fertilizer 1500-3000kg/667m2, and compound fertilizer 50-100kg/667m2.
2. When is transplanting generally done?
Generally, transplanting is done in spring from February to March, before the buds of the seedlings sprout. In the south, because winter temperatures are mild, transplanting can also be done in late autumn after the leaves fall.
3. What planting density is suitable?
The planting density is determined according to the climatic conditions, site conditions, soil fertility and variety characteristics of the planting area. Under normal circumstances, when standard rootstock is used, the row and plant spacing for planting on flat land is 2.5m for wide rows, 1.5m for narrow rows and 1.0m for plant spacing, planting 333 plants/667m2; when dwarfing rootstock is used, the row and plant spacing for planting on mountain land, hills and tidal flats is 2.0m for wide rows, 1.0m for narrow rows and 0.8m for plant spacing, planting 555 plants/667m2. In order for the orchard to enter the full production period as soon as possible, the plant spacing can be reduced by half at transplanting, and thinning of plants can be carried out after 2-3 years.
4. What is the planting method?
When planting, place the seedling in the planting hole, taking care to straighten the root system so that it spreads out in all directions. During the process of filling with soil, lift the seedling slightly so that the roots are in close contact with the soil, then firm it down. The planting depth should be the same as or slightly deeper than the depth at which the seedling originally grew in the nursery. Finally, fill in the remaining soil level, water and seal the hole, and build up soil around the trunk to a height consistent with the entire ridge. If the weather is dry within 15d after planting, water as appropriate according to the soil moisture conditions.
5. When is the best time to harvest?
Across the country, harvesting is generally done from April to June, and the harvest period is determined according to fruit maturity, use and market demand. Those for local sale should be harvested when the fruit is fully ripe; those for long-distance transport or storage and preservation should be harvested at nine-tenths ripe; varieties with uneven ripening should be harvested in stages. When the mulberry has just turned from red to black (for white varieties, the fruit stalk turns from green to yellow-white) and is crystal clear and bright, it indicates that the mulberry is ripe and should be harvested promptly in the early morning or evening. Harvesting is not suitable at noon in high temperatures, on rainy days, or when the dew has not yet dried.