What are the effects of whitewashing fruit trees? The latest detailed explanation
As the temperature gets lower and lower now, we have gradually entered winter. The temperature in winter is very low, so many fruit trees also enter a dormant period to avoid consuming too much of their own nutrients to survive the winter. And many fruit growers also choose to whitewash fruit trees, saying it helps the fruit trees survive the winter. So what exactly are the effects of whitewashing fruit trees? Today the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look below!
1. Sterilizing and killing insects
The whitewash agent for fruit trees generally contains substances such as quicklime and salt, and these two substances have strong sterilizing and disinfecting effects. So if fruit trees are whitewashed in winter, it can eliminate overwintering pathogens in various parts of the fruit tree trunks, and it can also speed up the healing of fruit tree wounds. In addition, many pest eggs also like to overwinter in positions such as the bark crevices and rough bark of fruit trees, and then come out to move again in the spring of the following year. Proper whitewashing can also eliminate these eggs in time.
2. Preventing insects and livestock
Whitewashing the fruit tree canopy not only has the effect of eliminating pests, but can also prevent fruit trees from being harmed by pests. This is because pests that harm fruit trees generally like to move in dark and dirty places. They generally dislike or are afraid of white, so after fruit trees are whitewashed, pests do not dare to climb up the trunk to harm the fruit trees. And after whitewashing, the purpose of preventing livestock damage can also be achieved. Many livestock are also relatively sensitive to white. After whitewashing, livestock basically will not come near, so it can also prevent the bark from being bitten and damaged by livestock.
3. Preventing freeze damage
Preventing freeze damage is actually one of the main purposes of whitewashing tree trunks. This is because after entering winter, until the spring of the second year, the temperature difference between day and night is very large. If it is not handled in time, it is very unfavorable to the growth of fruit trees. Therefore, through whitewashing work, fruit trees can reflect sunlight during the day, reduce the day-night temperature difference of the trunk, and thereby lower the incidence of freeze damage. Moreover, after fruit trees are whitewashed, the temperature accumulation at the base of the trunk is not fast, which can delay the budding time and flowering period of fruit trees, and can effectively reduce the phenomenon of sunscald on the trunk, ensuring the trunk safely overwinters normally.
4. Precautions for whitewashing
When using the whitewash agent, pay attention to mixing and using it immediately. The whitewash agent should not be stored for too long. When using it, stir the whitewash agent fully to ensure that the whitewash agent can be applied evenly on the trunk. Before whitewashing, pay attention to removing pests on the trunk completely, and it should be done on a sunny day. In addition, there are many varieties of whitewash agents. Common ones include copper sulfate lime whitewash agent, mainly prepared from copper sulfate, quicklime, and water. Then there is lime sulfur whitewash agent, mainly prepared from quicklime, sulfur, salt, and hot water with animal and vegetable oils.
The above is a brief introduction to the effects of whitewashing fruit trees. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Friends who want to learn more related information, please continue to follow us!