How Can Fruit Tree Planting Improve the Survival Rate? Practical Methods Shared

The survival rate of fruit tree planting is the most important factor affecting early high yields of fruit trees. Therefore, how to improve the survival rate of fruit tree planting is one of the topics many fruit growers most want to understand. Through long-term practice and research, mastering good planting methods and effectively controlling the planting holes, nursery stock, planting, and post-planting management can significantly improve the planting survival rate. The following summarizes nine specific related planting methods for everyone:

1. Trimming the Root System

After fruit trees are dug out from the nursery, the root system has already been damaged. To reduce the injured area, trimming should be carried out. Use scissors to remove part of the main root. Large lateral roots should be cut flat at the injured point, not cut at an angle, so the wounds heal easily.

2. Trimming Branches and Leaves

After the root system is cut, it cannot absorb sufficient water from the soil for the aboveground branches and leaves to transpire. Cut off 2/3 of the branches and leaves to reduce transpiration, thereby improving the survival rate.

3. Timely Planting

Spring planting should be carried out after the soil thaws and before the nursery stock sprouts. Planting too early or too late is not conducive to the survival of the nursery stock. Because tree species have different characteristics, the planting time should differ accordingly. Peach, apricot, plum, and similar trees should be planted early, while red jujube and similar trees should be planted late. Generally, planting immediately after the soil thaws is appropriate.

4. Selecting High-Quality Nursery Stock

The quality of the nursery stock is one of the important factors affecting the survival rate after planting. Whenever possible, choose nursery stock with high technical standard specifications, such as being free of pests and diseases, growing robustly, having a well-developed root system, and having short, thick internodes. Before planting, carefully select the seedlings, remove unqualified weak seedlings, leggy seedlings, and diseased or injured seedlings, and sort the nursery stock.

5. Planting Techniques

First, apply sufficient base fertilizer. In each planting hole, apply 1 kg of Leili seaweed fertilizer, 2 kg of Aoli bacterial fertilizer, and 0.2 kg of Aoli biological organic bacterial agent, mix well with soil, and then plant. Second, soak the roots in nutrient solution. Before transplanting, place the root system in a nutrient solution prepared in the ratio of 15 ml of Genwang, 25 ml of Jikeshan, and 10 L of water, and soak for 30 minutes. This can promote healing of root wounds, accelerate recovery of root growth, and improve the survival rate. Third, remove the film at the graft union. If the grafting film is not removed, the lower and upper parts of the graft union will thicken, while growth at the graft union will not be synchronized, and strong winds can easily break the tree at the graft union. Fourth, spread the root system flat. When placing the nursery stock into the planting hole, spread the root system flat and let it extend naturally to ensure normal root growth. Fifth, pour enough settling water. Place the nursery stock into the planting hole, cover with a thin layer of fine soil, pour enough settling water so the roots and soil connect tightly, then cover with another layer of soil. Sixth, pay attention to the graft union. When planting citrus fruit trees, the graft union should be exposed, while for bayberry, plum, peach, Chinese chestnut, and other fruit trees, the graft union should not be exposed, so they can grow and develop normally. Seventh, cover the tree disk. After planting, cover the surface soil around the tree base with straw, thatch, crop straw, or pig and cattle manure to maintain soil moisture and help recovery growth.

6. Covering with Plastic Film

After planting is completed, rake the surrounding soil fine into a shallow pot shape centered on the planted seedling, and cover with plastic film measuring 80-100 cm square. This can effectively increase ground temperature, resist drought, preserve soil moisture, and promote early and vigorous bud growth.

7. Fertilizer and Water Management

After fruit trees are planted, apply fertilizer water once each on the 10th day and the 20th day. This is the key to restoring root growth. Ten days after planting, the root callus tissue begins to recover. At this time, prepare a solution in the ratio of 15 ml of Genwang, 15 ml of Jikeshan, 0.25 kg of high-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer, and 50 L of water, and pour 1 L per plant. This can improve root activity and shorten the seedling recovery period. Twenty days after planting, prepare a solution in the ratio of 0.25 kg of high-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer, 23 g of 3% metalaxyl·hymexazol, and 50 L of water, and pour 1 L per plant. This can promote vigorous sprouting of new shoots. Until August, apply 0.3% high-nitrogen water-soluble fertilizer once each month, and the nursery stock survival rate reaches 95%.

8. Trunk Heading

According to cultivation requirements, cut at the trunk heading height where there are 35 plump buds. The cut should be smooth, without splitting, and treated with a sealing agent or wrapped with plastic film to prevent water loss and drying out. In areas with frequent spring winds, support stakes should be set up to prevent the tree from swaying.

9. Post-Planting Management

For newly planted nursery stock, follow the management principle of “promote first, control later.” Irrigate promptly according to fruit tree growth conditions and soil moisture, and apply additional fertilizer at the right time. At the same time, pay attention to pest and disease control during the seedling stage. Create good environmental conditions for nursery stock growth as much as possible.

In combination with the above nine measures, when planting fruit trees, also consider the local temperature and precipitation characteristics, water, fertilize, weed, and remove plastic film at the right times, and create a good growing environment for fruit trees according to natural development patterns. Only by adapting to local conditions and managing scientifically can healthy growth of fruit trees be promoted.