When Is the Best Time to Remove Bags from Apples? An Analysis of the Latest Bag-Removal Timing

After apples set fruit, bagging is a must, in order to protect the fruit from being eaten by insects or infected and damaged by disease. After bagging, you can also use pesticides to control pests and diseases with greater peace of mind. But bagging has a timing, and bag removal also has a timing requirement. When to remove the bags is good for fruit growth; when the bags need to be removed, they can be removed.

1. Bag Removal Period

The bag removal time will differ to some extent depending on the apple variety, and will also be determined by the type of bag used. For example, for red varieties using single-layer bags, one month before harvest the bag can be torn open into an umbrella shape to shield the fruit and avoid sunscald. After another week or so, it can be completely removed. For red varieties using double-layer bags, remove the outer layer one month before harvest, and on a sunny day a week later remove the inner layer bag. For yellow-green varieties using single-layer bags, the bags can be removed at harvest.

2. Bag Removal Time

The specific bag removal time is before 11 a.m., but when the dew has already dried. In the afternoon, when the sunlight gradually softens, the bags can also be removed. Bags cannot be removed at noon, when strong light shines directly and the fruit has not adapted to the light, making it easy to scorch. This leads to a decline in quality. If removed too early, the fruit color is dull and not smooth and glossy; if removed too late, the fruit color is pale.

3. Bag Removal Method

Hold the fruit in one hand, untie the wire with the right hand, pinch the bag opening with the other hand, remove the outer bag with the right hand, keep the inner bag, and let it cling to the fruit. Removing the inner bag one week after taking off the outer bag is to avoid too great a temperature difference between the fruit and the outside air, so it gradually adapts to the temperature; otherwise, it easily causes sunscald. Do not remove the inner bag on rainy or overcast days, as it easily causes greening and the fruit color will not look good. For single-layer bags, first open the bottom for ventilation, and remove them completely one week later.

4. Precautions

Before removing the bags from the fruit, irrigate once to prevent water loss. The bag removal time should be neither too early nor too late, to avoid affecting fruit quality. When removing bags, you can prune nearby dead branches to prevent the fruit from being punctured. Do not remove bags on rainy or overcast days. The removed bags should be collected and taken out of the orchard to avoid pollution.

Generally, the apple bag removal time must be considered, and the aim should be that removing the bags will not affect the growth and quality of the fruit. Bags cannot be removed at will, otherwise it easily triggers sunscald.