The Latest Technical Guide to Autumn and Winter Management of Apple Trees
Apples are a very common fruit in our daily lives, and once an apple tree is planted, it can basically be harvested continuously for more than ten years. When growing apple trees, we need to adjust our management techniques appropriately according to the changing seasons, especially during the low temperatures of autumn and winter, when management work is very important. So today, the editor brings you the autumn and winter management techniques for apple trees. Let's take a look!
1. Management after fruit harvest
After the autumn and winter fruit harvest, apple trees do not immediately lose their photosynthesis, so at this time we should appropriately spray foliar fertilizer. This extends the functional period of the apple tree leaves and increases the tree's nutrient accumulation. Because during the fruiting period most of the tree's nutrients are concentrated in the fruit, a quick-acting fertilizer should be applied promptly after harvest so the tree can recover its vigor as soon as possible. This ensures the tree has sufficient nutrients, promotes flower bud differentiation for the following year, and enhances the apple tree's cold and drought resistance, after which appropriate pesticide spraying should be done to control pests and diseases.
2. Applying base fertilizer in autumn
Under normal conditions, September to October each year is the third peak growth period for apple tree roots. Fertilizer should be applied promptly at this time, which is crucial for the tree's nutrient reserves and overwintering. Moreover, applying base fertilizer in autumn can help the tree roots recover their growth as soon as possible. We should apply sufficient organic fertilizer and control the application amount according to the tree's growth. For example, for a tree in full fruit-bearing period, apply 4500kg of organic fertilizer, 50kg of urea, etc. The fertilization method should alternate between band application and cross application to ensure the apple tree has sufficient nutrients for growth.
3. Cleaning the orchard in time
When apple trees overwinter, most of the pests and pathogens that harm the orchard generally overwinter in the fallen leaves, fallen branches, and buds of the trees. For example, aphids lurk in the axillary buds of the current year's branches of apple trees to overwinter. If orchard cleaning work such as removing fallen leaves, dead branches, and diseased plant residues is not done well in autumn and winter, these pests and pathogens will become the primary infection source for the orchard the following year. Therefore, after harvest, we should promptly remove debris such as dead branches and fallen leaves from the orchard, take them out of the orchard in a centralized manner and destroy them, to avoid harming the growth of apple trees.
4. Timely winter irrigation
In autumn and winter, apple trees should also be given appropriate winter irrigation, which allows fertilizers and other substances to decompose quickly. To help the tree store nutrients before winter, watering can usually be done before the apple tree sprouts, and the best watering time should be before the winter freeze. If conditions permit, apply sufficient water to meet the apple tree's water needs. If conditions do not permit, then water at least once. After watering, appropriately cover with some fine soil and plant straw to improve the soil's moisture retention and freeze protection capacity.
The above is a brief introduction to the autumn and winter management techniques for apples. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help you!