April Phenological Characteristics and Management Key Points of Chinese Bayberry

    Phenological stage: April is exactly the final flowering stage of Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra), as well as the first physiological fruit drop stage and the spring shoot growth stage of the plant.

    Key care: The key management tasks for Chinese bayberry in April are protecting flowers and fruits in off-years, thinning flowers and fruits in on-years, and strengthening pest and disease control.

Chinese bayberry

    Management key points:

    1. Top grafting on large trees: complete before mid-April.

    2. Protecting flowers and fruits: Mid-April is the peak period of the first physiological fruit drop of Chinese bayberry, and drought intensifies fruit drop. Therefore, starting from early April, dig a tree basin 15-20 cm deep; it should be shallow near the trunk and gradually deepen outward. Combine with clearing ditches and covering with soil, and cut weeds and brush from the edges of mountain pits and cover them on the tree basin to maintain soil moisture and nutrients and reduce fruit drop. For Chinese bayberry trees with weak vigor and poor fruiting, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the leaves. For young trees and vigorous trees with poor fruiting, spray 15% paclobutrazol at 300 times dilution.

    3. Thinning flowers and fruits: For Chinese bayberry trees with excessive flowers, combine with thinning out slender, weak and densely growing flower branches; the upper part of the canopy should be thinned more, or spray the Chinese bayberry flower thinner "Shu 6" at 100 times dilution during full bloom to thin flowers. During the period from the end of physiological fruit drop to before the rapid expansion stage of Chinese bayberry, fruit thinning is generally done in 2-3 rounds. Determine the amount of fruit retained according to the variety and tree vigor.

    4. Pest and disease control: The main pests and diseases in April are the Chinese bayberry caterpillar, bagworm, and lasiocampid moths that damage new shoots and tender leaves. When larvae are found causing damage, spray the Chinese bayberry trees with 48% chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1000 times with water, or 40% pest-killing emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1000 times with water, or 20% fenvalerate emulsifiable concentrate diluted 2000 times with water. Pests on young Chinese bayberry trees should be promptly controlled by manual capture. If scale insects cause serious damage, in late April spray low-toxicity pesticide petroleum emulsion at 150 times plus fenvalerate at 1000 times. In April, continue to control Chinese bayberry cancer and termites.