The Latest Method to Save Citrus Trees After Freeze Damage

Citrus is a sun-loving plant, but when sunlight is too intense, its growth and development suffer. The suitable annual average temperature for growth is above 15°C, the optimal growth temperature is 23°C to 29°C, growth stops above 35°C, and freeze damage occurs at -2°C. For citrus trees that have suffered relatively severe freeze damage, adopt tree-saving measures:

Mounding Soil to Increase Temperature

Mound soil to protect the root crown. The standard for mounding is that the root system is not exposed and the root crown is covered. At the same time, strengthen intertillage and loosening of the soil, apply additional fertilizer, prevent waterlogging, prevent drought, and control pests and diseases, so as to restore tree vigor as quickly as possible. Be careful to control the heavy outbreak of gummosis disease after freezing.

Whitewashing and Wrapping Trunk and Branches

The trunk and main branches form the tree's framework and are easily damaged by freezing, which leads to weakened tree vigor and, in severe cases, cracking of the cortex and death of the whole tree. Whitewash is usually made by mixing 10 jin of lime, 1 jin of sulfur powder, 0.2 jin of table salt, a little cooking oil, and 30-40 jin of water. Wrapping the trunk with rice straw or applying mud gives a relatively good freeze-prevention effect. When wrapping, be careful to press the straw heads over the straw tails and tie them tightly, and do not allow water to accumulate inside the straw and freeze.

Smoke Fumigation

This is mainly to prevent heavy frost after freezing, and it can reduce radiative heat loss and lessen frost damage. Smoke-fumigation materials can be obtained locally, such as weeds, branches and leaves, etc., with 4-6 piles per mu. Frost usually appears in the early morning, so smoke should be lit before the critical temperature for freeze damage.

Spraying an Evaporation-Inhibiting Thermal Insulation Agent

The thermal insulation agent can form a layer of molecular film on the leaf surface, inhibit water evaporation, reduce water loss from leaf cells, and achieve a freeze-prevention effect.