What to note when thinning leaves and turning fruit on apple trees

On apple trees, fruit on the outer canopy generally colors better and has a higher solids content than fruit in the inner canopy; fruit on the upper canopy colors better and has a higher solids content than fruit on the lower canopy; on the same fruit, the sunny side colors better and has a higher solids content than the shaded side; and fruit in opaque bags develops poor color.

Timely and moderate leaf thinning and fruit turning:

1. In early September, promptly change the branch orientation. Starting in mid-September (that is, 6 days after bag removal), focus on removing 3-5 "rosette leaves" that are in direct contact and leaves that directly shade the fruit around it.

2. Degree of leaf thinning: remove all leaves within a 5 cm range around fruit on the upper canopy and outer canopy, and all leaves within a 10-12 cm range around fruit on the lower canopy and inner canopy.

3. 5-6 days after leaf thinning, gently hold the fruit with your hand and turn it in another direction. To promote full coloring, after another 5-6 days continue turning the fruit in the same upward direction, thereby improving fruit quality day by day and raising its commercial value.

Issues to note when thinning leaves and turning fruit:

1. Thin leaves at the right time, and never too early.

2. Before thinning leaves, first thin out the upright shoots on the back and water sprouts on scaffold branches and large permanent secondary branches, the competing shoots on the extension leader, bend aside slanted shoots, and control spur shoots.

3. Carry out moderate leaf thinning and fruit turning, keep the petioles, and proceed in one direction. 4. Turn the fruit early, in the morning or evening, avoiding noon, to prevent sunburn. Weng Weihong