Latest Key Points for Planting Chestnuts
Chestnuts are the most common nuts in our daily lives, also known as “mao li” and “li zi”, and enjoy the reputation of “king of dried fruits”. Chestnuts are planted across a considerable area throughout the country, but because our country has a vast territory, chestnuts are divided into two different regional forms: northern chestnuts and southern chestnuts. But what they all share is that they strengthen the spleen and stomach. They also have effects such as tonifying the kidney, and for pregnant women they even have the effect of strengthening the body and bones. Today, the editor will introduce to you the key points to pay attention to when planting chestnuts.
1. Temperature
The most suitable growth temperature for chestnuts is 8-15 degrees, but northern chestnuts are mostly relatively cold-resistant, so the lowest temperature they can withstand is -25 degrees. The suitable living temperature for chestnuts is related to variety, tree age, etc. The younger the tree age, the weaker its cold resistance. Therefore, keeping young trees warm and protected from cold is a key factor in ensuring yield. However, experiments have shown that chestnuts can still grow and bear fruit at a temperature of minus 35 degrees, but relatively speaking their growth is poorer, the fruit is small, the yield is low, and the quality is poor. Therefore, when planting chestnuts, the temperature must be controlled within the range suitable for chestnut growth.
2. Water
Chestnuts are relatively adaptable to rainy and humid climates. Excessive drought will affect the growth and development of the tree body and cause large-scale yield reduction, especially during the rapid growth stage of chestnuts. If sufficient water is not supplied in time, it will have a certain impact on the growth and fruiting of chestnuts. Although chestnuts like water, they are not tolerant of waterlogging. If the accumulated water in the orchard is not drained in time, the tree roots will be soaked in accumulated water, affecting nutrient absorption and causing leaf drop, and in severe cases even the entire tree may wither and die. Proper watering before maturity can promote fruit growth and help increase yield, but too much can also easily cause fruit cracking.
3. Light
Chestnuts are a light-loving tree species and cannot remain in a shaded environment for a long time. The daily light duration must be at least six hours. If the six-hour light duration is not met, the crown will grow upright, the leaves will be small and thin, the branches will be slender and soft, and the yield will decrease. During the flowering and fruiting period, lack of light can also cause flower and fruit drop. If the chestnut tree is kept in a shaded environment for a long time, the branches and leaves in the tree body will turn yellow and thin and may even wither and die. Therefore, when planting chestnuts, be sure to choose a sunny slope with sufficient sunlight, remove overgrown branches, and enhance the permeability within the tree body.
4. Soil
Chestnuts are suitable for planting in slightly acidic soil. They can grow well in soil with a pH value of 5-6, but if it exceeds 7.2, development will be poor. The soil should be relatively loose. If it is too sticky, the porosity in the soil will be small and it will easily become compacted, causing great obstacles to the growth of chestnut tree roots. Therefore, when planting chestnut trees, be sure to pay attention to soil selection. Even if planted in soil suitable for chestnut growth, soil management must still be strengthened, and fertilizer and water should be increased, so as to ensure high yield of chestnuts. Increase yield and improve one's own economic benefits.
These are the points to pay attention to when planting chestnuts. What requires special attention is the water aspect. Chestnuts both love and fear water. They like water but fear waterlogging, so if continuous rainy weather occurs, not only must the daily required light duration be ensured, but the accumulated water in the orchard must also be drained in time. Also, attention must be paid to spring and autumn. These two seasons are often dry, causing a relatively large impact on chestnut yield, so be sure to pay more attention to watering in these two seasons.