Latest Key Management Techniques After Loquat Harvest
Loquat is a common fruit, generally available on the market from May to June each year. Many fruit growers idle after the loquat harvest, with nothing else to do, and at the same time neglect the management of the orchard. In fact, post-harvest management is very important in loquat cultivation; it affects the yield of the coming year as well as the service life of the loquat tree. So today, follow along with the editor to learn about post-harvest management techniques for loquat.
1. Pruning and Clearing the Orchard
The harvest time of loquat differs from that of many fruits, and right after harvest it happens to be summer, so after harvest we need to carry out summer pruning. This pruning is also the most important one, and it is best to prune as early as possible, as this can promote the loquat tree to enter the flower bud differentiation stage as early as possible. When pruning, we mainly prune the canopy, reasonably control the canopy's openness and light penetration, and clear out some dense branches, old branches, water sprouts, weak branches and messy branches. After the loquat tree is pruned, the orchard must be cleared immediately, cleaning up the pruned branches as well as weeds, fallen leaves and so on, and it is best to take them away from the orchard to be burned.
2. Drainage and Disaster Prevention
Right after the loquat tree's fruit is harvested, the plum rain season begins, and rainfall during this period is heavy, so we need to dig ditches in the orchard as early as possible and promptly drain excess water out of the orchard, to avoid water damage that causes the loquat tree's roots to rot. After the plum rain season passes, we need to prevent drought; in order to promote flower bud differentiation, we need to water reasonably, and at the same time we can use materials such as straw and weeds to cover the tree disk, which can improve the loquat tree's drought resistance. Also, in winter, we need to prepare well for preventing frost damage; although the loquat tree has strong cold resistance, it will still be affected to a certain degree.
3. Heavily Applying Base Fertilizer
After the loquat tree's fruit is harvested, there is one more very important point, which is to apply additional fertilizer. Generally, additional fertilizer is applied only after the branches and leaves are pruned and the orchard is cleared, at about ten days to half a month after fruit harvest, and we need to apply additional fertilizer, mainly organic fertilizer; of course, decomposed farmyard manure can also be used, and it is best to use it together with chemical fertilizer, as this can cultivate strong branches and promote flower bud differentiation. Generally, the amount of fertilizer used per loquat tree should be controlled at about 65 kg; although it is heavy application of base fertilizer, it must not be excessive.
4. Preventing and Controlling Pests and Diseases
After the loquat fruit is harvested, it happens to be hot and humid weather; if management is improper, this kind of weather can very easily lead to pest and disease damage, so we must prepare in advance for pest and disease prevention and control. Among these, the most common are branch and trunk rot and the damage of the yellow hairy caterpillar. We can use Bordeaux mixture and pyrethroid insecticides respectively for prevention and control.
The above is the editor's introduction to the management techniques after loquat fruit harvest. I hope these few tips can help all planting friends, and also hope they can help more friends. If you have other questions you need to consult about, you can leave us a message below, and we will do our utmost to answer them for everyone.