How to manage apricot trees after harvest? Master the key points to lay a good foundation for next year
Apricot fruits ripen relatively early, and the interval from post-harvest to the dormant period is long. During this time, restoring tree vigor and accumulating tree nutrients is crucial. Scientific management during this period can reduce pests and diseases, promote reasonable growth of apricot trees, promote flower bud differentiation, increase the number and quality of apricot flower buds, and lay the foundation for a bumper harvest next year.
Post-harvest management of apricot trees
The specific post-harvest management measures for apricot trees are briefly summarized as follows:
1. Training and pruning: After apricot harvest, the tree body is still growing, so growth must be controlled, tree vigor moderated, and the internal light conditions of the apricot tree improved. Pull and spread the angle of vigorous branches to moderate tree vigor and promote flower formation; pinch the new shoots twice to promote branching and develop fruiting branches. Fruit-bearing branches that are obviously weak and drooping after fruiting should be appropriately retracted. For water sprouts emerging within the apricot tree canopy, if there is space for growth, measures such as pinching and twisting should be taken to control their growth; if there is no space for growth, they should be removed promptly. At the same time, remove dead branches, broken branches, pest- and disease-damaged branches, crossing branches, overlapping branches, and thin weak branches within the canopy to reduce nutrient consumption of the apricot tree, improve ventilation and light conditions of the apricot tree, and facilitate the formation of high-quality flower buds.
2. Soil, fertilizer and water management:
1. After apricot harvest, a medium-depth tilling and loosening of the soil about 10 cm deep should be carried out throughout the orchard together with weeding. Before leaf fall, deep plowing 30-40 cm deep should be carried out together with the application of base fertilizer.
2. After apricot harvest, fertilizer should be applied as early as possible, especially for apricot trees with weak vigor and heavy fruiting, fertilizer should be applied promptly to make up for the nutrients consumed by the apricot tree. Immediately after harvesting the fruit, apply a quick-acting fertilizer once, applying 0.5 kg of urea per mature apricot tree, then water. Together with pesticide spraying, carry out foliar fertilizer spraying, spraying a mixed solution of 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 0.2% urea to increase nutrient accumulation in the apricot tree and improve the number and quality of apricot flower buds. From late August to early October, apply base fertilizer, mainly farmyard manure, mixed with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Generally, for 5-6 year old trees just beginning to bear fruit, apply 30-50 kg of farmyard manure and 0.3-0.5 kg of superphosphate per tree; for trees in full fruiting stage, apply 70-100 kg of farmyard manure and 0.5-1.0 kg of superphosphate per tree, and water immediately after application.
3. After apricot harvest, irrigate once promptly so that soil moisture is favorable for apricot tree growth. This irrigation can ensure normal flower bud differentiation and the growth, aging and maturation of branches. Irrigate well with freezing water; where conditions permit, irrigate thoroughly once before freezing to ensure the apricot tree overwinters safely.
3. Pest and disease control: After apricot harvest, the trees are often affected by pests and diseases. According to actual conditions, spray pesticides at the appropriate time for control, so as to protect the leaves and increase nutrient accumulation in the apricot tree.