Get the planting method for pomelo trees right, and you can harvest for more years

It is now the season when sweet and tangy pomelos are freshly on the market, and also the happiest time for pomelo tree growers. But to achieve high returns, besides a good market, the planting method is also crucial. Below, let's talk about the planting methods for pomelo, and learning these well can let you harvest for more years!

I. Introduction to the pomelo tree

1. The pomelo tree is an evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family, also called Wendan, Luan and Pao in some places, and is planted in the southern regions of our country. The main production areas of pomelo trees are the provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Hunan and Zhejiang.

2. The pomelo tree has green leaves all year round, with broad ovate or elliptical leaves, creamy white petals, and sharp thorns on its branches; the overall tree shape is rather graceful. So besides being planted as an economic fruit tree, it is also planted in parks, residential communities and along roadsides.

3. The pomelo tree can be cultivated as an economic fruit tree and also planted as a landscape greening tree, and the pomelo it bears is rich in nutrients and low in calories, with effects such as strengthening the stomach and moistening the lungs, nourishing the blood, clearing the intestines and relieving constipation, reducing internal heat and sobering up after drinking; even the peel of the pomelo can be used as Chinese medicine.

II. Planting methods for pomelo trees

As an economic fruit tree, the planting method is particularly important, so below let's properly learn about the planting methods for pomelo trees.

1. Pomelo trees can be planted by grafting and layering; of course, growing from seed is also possible, but growing from seed takes too long to bear fruit, so it is generally not recommended for fruit growers. Usually, the grafting method is used from March to early April each year.

2. Before planting pomelo trees, apply base fertilizer first (preferably in layers), with the amount per mu not exceeding 10,000 kg, applying barn manure, cake fertilizer, compost, etc. on the top layer. The planting density of pomelo trees must not be too high, because their vigorous growth and large crowns make them unfavorable for growth when too dense, so plant about 35 to 45 trees per mu (decided according to the terrain conditions of the planting site). In addition, planting pomelo trees on cloudy days or sunny evenings in March and November is better.

3. Young pomelo trees have incomplete root systems and absorption capacity, so fertilize frequently in small amounts, and do not make each fertilizer application too concentrated; a thinner application is beneficial to their growth. Use mainly organic nitrogen fertilizer (decomposed human and livestock urine and manure, cake fertilizer and an appropriate amount of urea).

4. Adult trees need to be fertilized at least three times a year, including sprouting fertilizer, fruit-swelling fertilizer and post-harvest fertilizer. The sprouting fertilizer is applied starting in early March, the fruit-swelling fertilizer can be applied twice in June and August, and the post-harvest fertilizer is applied in November. Applying an appropriate amount of fertilizer to pomelo trees in a timely manner can let them achieve high quality, high yield and stable production, and can also help pomelo trees bear fruit early and harvest fruit for more years.

5. Besides fertilizing during the growth of pomelo trees, they also need shaping and pruning at different stages. After planting in the young stage, cut off excess branches, keeping only three or four strong branches on each main branch, and there should be appropriate spacing between each branch; pomelo trees also need pruning during the fruiting period, but only remove water sprouts, diseased and insect-damaged dead branches, and branches that are too dense can also be cut off; in the half year before an old tree stops growing, the 3-4 year old side branches on the crown can be cut off, and no leaves need to be kept on the crown. Generally, after one or two years the old tree can resume fruiting.

6. During growth, pomelo trees are susceptible to harm from huanglongbing, canker, scab, anthracnose and other diseases. You can clean the orchard by cutting off diseased branches and leaves and burning them on the spot; of course, the most important thing is to prevent them in advance by spraying the corresponding medicine on the orchard and fruit trees; in addition, pests such as red spiders, rust mites and citrus leafminers also need attention for control.

What we want to remind the broad mass of fruit growers is that when mixing pesticides to prevent and control diseases and pests, it is best to ask experienced old farmers, or consult relevant agricultural planting technicians; never mix pesticides blindly and spray them, affecting the growth and fruiting of pomelo trees.