Key Points for Spring Management of Citrus, Full Analysis of the Latest Techniques
In spring, as temperatures warm up, the citrus dormancy period ends, and this is precisely the time when citrus buds sprout and shoots emerge, sap flows, and flowers bloom and fruit sets. It is also a critical period in the annual management of an orchard. So how should citrus be managed in spring? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction below.
1. Deep plowing of the soil
Spring is precisely the period when the root system begins to stir, so a thorough plowing should be done before this, in order to clear weeds, reduce sources of pests and diseases, and also improve soil structure, making the soil loose and breathable, promoting the sprouting of new roots and enhancing root vitality. However, when plowing, attention should also be paid to depth: for young trees, shallow plowing should be used to avoid damaging the root system. After plowing, soil should be backfilled promptly; at low temperatures, appropriate covering may be done to prevent the roots from freezing.
2. Applying sufficient fertilizer
In spring, the sprouting of new shoots and the blooming and fruit setting of citrus all require relatively large amounts, so [it should be done at this time], to achieve the purpose of promoting roots and strengthening buds. Generally, 1-2 weeks before spring sprouting, fertilizer to promote budding and shoots should be applied. After citrus fruit harvest, the tree's nutrients are heavily consumed, and new root growth in trees bearing more fruit often lags behind spring shoot growth, so the absorption of fertilizer and water is low, and foliar fertilizer should also be sprayed as a supplement. For young trees, foliar spraying is primary and ground fertilization is secondary; when fertilizing the ground, attention should be paid to concentration, and broadcasting is absolutely not allowed; nitrogen fertilizer should be primary, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer added. Adult trees need large amounts of nutrition for flowering, so before sprouting, nitrogen fertilizer should be primary, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer added; during the flowering period, potassium fertilizer should be supplemented through foliar spraying, and an appropriate amount of boron fertilizer should also be maintained.
3. Water management
When citrus encounters drought before and after budding and flowering, it should be watered promptly to avoid affecting budding and flowering. In spring there is sometimes a rainy economy, so orchard drainage is even more important; once drainage is poor, it can very easily cause the plant's root system to rot. In addition, if the root system is waterlogged, it can also cause yellowing, dead branches, flower drop, and fruit drop, and in severe cases can lead to tree death. Therefore, in spring, attention should be paid to water accumulation, loosen the soil, and increase soil permeability to benefit root growth.
4. Shaping and pruning
Spring pruning helps optimize tree structure, regulate light, balance tree vigor, and increase yield. Generally, for young trees, the purpose is to cultivate tree shape and expand the canopy, and pruning should mainly be light pruning, mainly trunk determination and cultivating main branches; the height for trunk determination and heading back should preferably be 30 cm. Before sprouting, pinch or heading back the mature autumn and winter shoots, and appropriately thin overly dense branch groups to expand the canopy. For fruit-bearing trees, follow the principles of ventilation and light transmission and reasonable load, mainly pruning off fruit stalk branches, dry branches, densely growing branches, crossing branches, and diseased and pest-damaged branches, and retracting or heading back long fruiting branches, etc.
The above is an introduction to the key points of spring management of citrus. I hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.