Detailed Explanation of the Latest Key Technical Points for Spring Management of Peach Trees
In spring, as the temperature warms up and rainfall is abundant, the peach trees enter the bud break, flowering, and fruit-setting stage. Management during this stage affects the later yield and quality and directly influences the income of fruit growers. So how should peach trees be managed in spring? Let us take a look at the detailed introduction below.
1. Topdressing
When March arrives, the temperature rises and stabilizes, and peach trees successively enter the bud break, flowering, and new shoot growth stages. These stages all consume large amounts of nutrients. Therefore, in order to meet the nutrients needed for the growth and development of peach trees, topdressing should be carried out in time, especially for fruiting trees that grew weakly last year or fruit trees with higher yields. Before bud break, an appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer can promote plant growth and development as well as fruit setting. For plants growing more vigorously, it may not be applied, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth of the fruit tree, which is unfavorable for flowering and fruit setting.
2. Flower thinning and frost protection
In spring the temperature warms up, but in late spring there can still be a late spring cold snap, with a sudden drop in temperature, which can cause frost damage to peach trees, be unfavorable for their flowering, and affect the fruit-setting rate. Therefore, frost protection measures should be taken before and after the flowering period, and sprays can be applied before and after flowering for prevention. In addition, for varieties with a high fruit-setting rate, flowers can be thinned from the bud stage to the early full-bloom stage, removing overly dense flowers and basal flowers, which can save nutrient consumption, concentrate nutrients, and increase the fruit-setting rate.
3. Weeding and loosening the soil
The rise in spring temperature is also a period when all things revive. In addition to peach trees budding and flowering, weeds in the orchard also begin to grow vigorously. They will compete with peach trees for nutrients and also provide shelter and breeding places for pests and diseases. Therefore, weeds should be removed and the soil loosened in time. This can not only reduce weeds and tree bodies competing for nutrients and reduce pests and diseases, but also increase soil permeability, help lower surface humidity, increase low temperatures, and promote the growth and development of the root system.
4. Pest and disease control
Spring is also the period when pests and diseases revive. In March, the focus should be on controlling scale insects. If the damage from scale insects was severe last year, Jiemanling can be sprayed throughout the orchard to control this pest. To prevent diseases, a single application of lime sulfur mixture can also be sprayed throughout the orchard. In April, the focus should be on controlling aphids and shot-hole disease, especially before and after peach bud break. Once aphids are found, imidacloprid should be sprayed promptly for control. At the same time, attention should also be paid to gummosis caused by other diseases. After the peach blossoms fade, diseased leaves can be removed manually, and overwintering larvae of other pests can be captured and killed.
The above is an introduction to the key points of spring management of peach trees. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.