The Latest Timing and Method for Girdling Pomegranate Trees Explained in Detail
During pomegranate cultivation, the trees are continuously shaped and pruned, which can improve yield and quality, and girdling is a commonly used pruning method during pomegranate growth. Different girdling times serve different purposes; for example, girdling in May can improve the fruit-setting rate of pomegranates, while girdling in July can accelerate flower bud differentiation and achieve a promoting effect. However, girdling also requires certain skills and methods, otherwise it can easily lead to plant death. Let's take a look at pomegranate tree girdling techniques below.
1. Girdling Time
The girdling time is mainly in summer, and it can be carried out during the period from May to July. This stage is during the pomegranate's growth period, and after girdling it can recover quickly. However, after entering August, the temperature begins to drop, and after girdling the pomegranate tree, the wound caused by girdling is not suitable for healing and is susceptible to invasion by pathogens, thereby affecting later growth. At this time, girdling must be strictly prohibited.
2. Girdling Targets
Girdling also requires attention to the target. Not all tree bodies and areas are suitable for girdling. Some plants grow relatively weakly, and if girdling is carried out, it will cause them to form a large number of flower buds, thereby consuming the already limited nutrients and causing premature aging and death of the plant. Therefore, the targets of girdling are generally trees with overly strong vigor and luxuriant branches and leaves, mainly girdling their trunks, main branches, lateral branches, and secondary branches. The main purpose is to control their flower growth and promote flower bud formation.
3. Girdling Method
During girdling, attention should be paid to the width of the wound. It should not be too wide or too narrow. If too wide, the wound will not heal for a long time; if too narrow, the healing time will be too early. Both will reduce the effect of girdling. Generally, the width is one-tenth or one-fifteenth of the girdling circumference. First, girdle the main trunk. At 10-20 cm above the ground, in a place where the bark is flat and smooth, use a knife to cut a ring around the trunk, with the depth reaching the xylem. Then according to the width, make another horizontal cut above it, and peel off the bark. Use the same method to girdle other parts.
4. Wound Protection
After girdling, the wound should be protected in time to prevent pathogen invasion. The wound can be wrapped well with newspaper or plastic film. This is because the pomegranate wound must heal in a dark environment to heal normally. If exposed to sunlight, the wound will not heal normally, and in severe cases, it will cause the plant to wither and die.
5. Post-Girdling Management
As long as the pomegranate wound is handled properly after girdling, it will generally heal completely after one month. At this time, the newspaper or plastic film wrapping the wound needs to be removed in time, which is beneficial to the growth of the trunk. If due to improper girdling time, the girdling wound being too wide or too deep
and the amount of girdled branches being too large, the wound has not healed within one month, it should be continuously wrapped in time. And strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote its recovery. When the flower quantity is large, appropriately thin the flowers to reduce nutrient consumption and maintain growth.
The above is the timing and method of pomegranate tree girdling. We hope it can help you. To learn more about pomegranate cultivation knowledge, please follow us.