The Latest Post-Harvest Management Techniques for Grape Orchards
As science and technology in our country become more and more advanced and cultivation techniques become more and more refined, grape growing has already achieved wide coverage. Grapes can be planted at almost any time of the year, which seems like a good thing for the market and for growers. But as grape-growing techniques develop, problems keep emerging one after another. For example, how to manage the orchard well after harvest is a problem that needs to be solved. Below, the editor will talk with you about how to manage the orchard after harvest.
1. Water and Fertilizer Management
Watering should be done promptly after harvest, because watering can increase the growth rate of the tree body, rapidly restore the nutrients and water lost during harvest, and speed up the tree's metabolism. It can also prevent grapes from cracking due to lack of water. However, watering should not be excessive, because too much will cause the tree body to age and make it prone to pests and diseases. When topdressing, fertilizer should be applied according to the tree's fertilizer deficiency. Plots with sufficient base fertilizer may not need topdressing, and the same applies to trees with strong vigor and large mature trees. When fertilizing, pay attention to the amount; do not apply a large amount, to prevent the roots from being burned. Follow the principle of “apply more frequently in small amounts.”
2. Improve Air and Light Penetration
After several months of growth and fruiting, the tree body is very exhausted after harvest, comparable to being pregnant for ten months, which takes a great toll on a woman's body. The tree body should be pruned promptly: remove the new buds on the secondary shoots in time; among the aged branches that cannot bloom and bear fruit, remove those needed as vegetative growth branches, and remove all the rest as well. The main purpose of this is to prevent the orchard from being in a shaded, lightless environment, to give the fruiting branches sufficient sunlight, increase the rate of flower bud differentiation, and reduce nutrient loss. Good ventilation and light transmission can provide a healthy growing environment for the tree body and roots.
3. Soil Plowing
Plowing the soil after harvest is very important. After harvest, the grass material in the orchard that preserves water and fertilizer should be removed promptly, and the soil should be deeply plowed. The depth of plowing must not be less than 30 cm. Many friends worry that deep plowing will affect the roots, but this is not the case. After a year of growth, the tree roots have already grown into the deeper soil layers. The roots in the surface layer are mostly secondary roots, which do not have much effect on grape growth, and deep plowing can also increase root vitality. However, attention should also be paid to the depth; it must not exceed 40 cm. Enhancing the soil's air permeability is beneficial for the next year's growth, flowering, and fruiting.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Pest and disease control is work that needs to be done throughout the entire grape growing process. It is just that the pests and diseases that occur after harvest are different from those during the growing period. The main pests and diseases that occur after harvest include brown spot disease and longhorn beetles, among others. These pests and diseases mainly harm the tree's leaves, and leaves are the key to ensuring nutrient accumulation. Therefore, we must mainly do a good job protecting the leaves and use various chemicals for control. For example, Bordeaux mixture and various insecticides, among others. Be careful not to do this in hot and dry weather, to prevent harm to the tree body.
The above are the orchard management methods after harvesting grapes. Many friends generally neglect orchard management after harvest. This then has a great impact on the next year's flowering, fruiting, and yield. Although growing grapes has certain economic benefits, you still need enough time and patience to manage the orchard. Otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted. That is all for today's introduction. If you want to learn more exciting information, please continue to follow us!