Latest Detailed Explanation of the Four Key Points of Citrus Winter Management

After citrus is harvested, the tree has consumed a large amount of nutrients from bearing fruit, so nutrients need to be replenished in time to restore tree vigor. Winter is also a critical period for flower bud differentiation and for pests and diseases to overwinter. Therefore, winter management is the foundation for the citrus harvest of the coming year and for reducing pests and diseases. Let us take a look below at the key points of citrus winter management.

1. Apply base fertilizer early

For citrus flower bud differentiation, to improve flower bud quality, increase tree nutrients, and improve cold resistance, base fertilizer must be applied early. For fruiting trees, fertilizer can be applied one week after fruit harvest, while for young trees it must be fully applied before November. The earlier the fertilizer is applied and the higher the temperature, the faster the fertilizer will decompose, and the more the tree can absorb, so the effect will be better. At this time, fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer, combined with special fertilizer for fruit trees, applied by the ring ditch and strip ditch methods.

2. Clean the orchard in time

The pathogenic fungi and insect sources that harm citrus overwinter in dead branches, fallen leaves, weeds, and fallen fruit, so in early winter the diseased and insect-infested branches, dry and withered branches, fallen leaves and fruit, and weeds should be promptly cleared out of the orchard and burned in a centralized manner or buried deeply. At the same time, in late autumn all late autumn shoots should be pruned off to prevent the late autumn shoots from extending and growing, which would reduce the cold resistance of the tree. If the soil has too much moisture, the roots are very prone to rot, so ditching to drain moisture can be combined with fertilization to avoid trouble in future management.

3. Control pests and diseases

After cleaning the orchard, starting in late November, use lime sulfur mixture for foliar spraying every month, generally spraying 3-4 times per month. This can effectively control overwintering anthracnose, mites, scale insects, and other pests, effectively reduce the pest and disease base, lower the probability of pests and diseases occurring in the coming year, reduce the number of pesticide applications, and improve production efficiency.

4. Strengthen anti-freeze protection

Freeze damage has an extremely large impact on citrus trees and the yield of the coming year, so anti-freeze measures are extremely critical. Trunk whitewashing or covering the tree disk with film or rice straw can be used for prevention. Trunk whitewashing can both prevent freezing and control pests and diseases on the trunk. It can be made by stirring together 72% water, 22% quicklime, 3% lime sulfur mixture, and 3% table salt. Apply it evenly to the trunk. It is best if after application it does not flow downward and does not stick together into clumps. The quicklime must be fully dissolved, otherwise it will absorb water and release heat and burn the trunk. Anti-freeze measures must be completed in early December.

The above is an introduction to the four key points of citrus winter management. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.