When to plant pecan in the United States? How many years until it bears fruit?

The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) originated in the Mississippi River basin area of the United States and was introduced to our country in the early 20th century. It belongs to the walnut family (Juglandaceae), the genus Carya, and the species pecan. Compared with our country's hickory, whose fruit is small, shell thick, kernel red and astringent, and which must be boiled in water to remove the astringency before it can be used and eaten, the pecan's fruit is long ovate or elliptical, the nut is large, the shell is extremely thin, the surface is smooth, the kernel is plump, rich in oil and aroma, with an oil content generally above 70%, a sweet taste and excellent quality; eaten raw, stir-fried, or made into pastries, it is delicious and is a world-famous nut. The pecan is also a high-quality timber species. The fruit cultivation method is introduced below.

When to plant pecan in the United States? How many years until it bears fruit?

Garden site selection It is suitable to plant in areas with an annual average temperature above 9-16°C and annual rainfall above 800 mm. Because it is a deep-rooted fruit tree and has relatively weak drought resistance, it is more suitable to choose deep, fertile soil with strong water retention. Walnut is a light-loving fruit tree and requires sufficient light; when building an orchard in mountainous areas, the south slope should be chosen as the best.

Planting grafted seedlings Grafted seedlings can bear fruit 4-5 years after planting and enter the full-production period in 8-10 years, while seedling-grown plants need 8-10 years to bear fruit and about 15 years to enter the full-production period. Therefore, for fruit production, pecan must use grafted seedlings. Generally, planting in September-November is best. Under the premise of controlling the crown and shoots to dwarf the tree body, the row and plant spacing can adopt the specification of 5 m × 4 m or 5 m × 5 m. The pecan is a monoecious fruit tree with separate male and female flowers, and the female flowers and male flowers on the same plant generally do not bloom at the same time, so pollination between different plants is required. Therefore, only a walnut orchard planted in blocks can obtain high yields. Dig holes according to the standard of a hole diameter and depth of 1.5 m each, then apply base fertilizer (40 kg organic fertilizer, 500 g superphosphate, 20 g Jiadifen powder) and mix it evenly with the soil, then plant. After planting, water thoroughly to set the roots, and cover the tree disk with weeds to help survival.

Training and pruning This is carried out during the dormancy period of the seedlings from winter to early spring. In the year of planting, no pruning is done; only the trunk is straightened and the terminal bud is protected. After bud break in spring, the terminal bud grows upright upward and is used as the central leader. About 2 years after planting, begin pruning and training; when the seedling is about 2 m tall, remove the terminal shoot, and select 3-4 side branches that are evenly distributed and vigorous as the first tier of main branches, then later select the second tier and third tier of main branches. The second tier retains 2-3 main branches, 60-80 cm from the first tier of main branches; the third tier retains 1-2 main branches, 50-70 cm from the first tier. In view of the fact that the pecan mainly bears fruit on vigorous branches, lateral vigorous branches must be used as scaffold branches, and the inner canopy of the tree crown must be kept ventilated and light-transmitting.

Strengthen management Young trees should be given light fertilizer frequently; from the year of planting to after bud break, begin topdressing once a month, and apply base fertilizer by the end of September; in years 2-4, applying fertilizer 4 times each year in March, June, August and October is sufficient. Adult trees are given base fertilizer in September-October, with 5000 kg fully decomposed organic fertilizer, 50 kg phosphate fertilizer, 100 kg plant ash and 15 kg urea per mu. Topdress once before bud break the following year and once in June-July. Also pay attention to the control of powdery mildew, brown spot, black spot, scab, aphids, buprestid beetles and slug moths.