A Detailed Guide to the Latest Apple Pinching Methods and Precautions
In apple production, pinching is a commonly used technical measure, mainly to stimulate the germination of lateral buds on new shoots and increase the number of branches on the whole tree; it is a measure that increases apple yield. So when is the best time to pinch apples? How should pinching be carried out? These are questions many friends want to know, so let's take a look together below.
1. Timing of apple pinching
Apple pinching can be carried out throughout the entire growing season, but because summer temperatures are relatively high and apple branches and leaves grow a great deal, it is very easy for water sprouts and vigorous shoots to emerge, so pinching needs to be carried out throughout the whole summer. The timing of pinching should be determined by the degree of lignification of the new shoots. Generally, when new shoots have grown to about 15 cm, in order to control excessive shoot growth and promote flower bud formation, they should be pinched back leaving 3-5 cm at the base. About one month after the first pinching, when the secondary shoots have grown to 15 cm, carry out a second pinching. After that, pinching can be done according to the tree's growth vigor; for varieties with strong growth, pinching can continue into the late growth period.
2. Pinching methods
Pinching should first target the water sprouts and vigorous shoots on the tree. If excessively vigorous water sprouts and vigorous shoots are not controlled in time, they will become ineffective branches that affect light exposure. Pinching in summer promotes the formation of medium and short branches, which can cultivate a compact fruiting branch group; when new shoots on large branches are semi-lignified, removing about 5 cm gives the highest rate of flower bud formation. Next is pinching the extension shoots of young trees. Some young trees grow a great deal, and in a single growing season the extension shoot can grow to about 1 m; at this time pinching can be used to promote secondary shoot growth for training, speeding up the formation of the canopy and increasing the number of branches on the whole tree. Pinching of extension shoots is generally done in June, cutting back to a length of about 40 cm, and is generally done every other year. Finally, there are the fruit-bearing branches; pinching them when they have grown to 10-15 cm can increase the number of branches, promote compact and full branch groups, and at the same time inhibit fruit drop.
3. Precautions for pinching
Pinching young trees has an obvious effect and is simple to repeat and very easy to do, requiring no excessive skill, but pinching must also be done at the right time, otherwise it will not only fail to achieve the desired result but also affect the tree's growth. If pinching is done too early, the secondary shoots that germinate will continue to grow and instead inhibit growth; if pinching is done too late, it will not promote more secondary shoots. In addition, pinching should be timed appropriately according to differences in tree age, growth vigor, management and climate characteristics, and when necessary, multiple pinching can be adopted.
The above is an introduction to apple pinching methods and precautions. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.