How to grow sapodilla? A detailed guide to cultivation methods
Sapodilla, also known as Wufeng persimmon, is a well-known tropical fruit introduced from abroad. It is currently grown mainly in Guangzhou, Hainan and Taiwan, China, and other regions with a relatively warm climate year-round. Sapodilla has been cultivated in China for some time, but it is still very rare on the market. First, because the planting area is not large, and second, because its yield is not high. Below is a guide brought to you by Qinong Net about sapodilla cultivation methods. Let's take a look.
1. Site selection and land preparation
The choice of planting site mainly determines the survival rate of sapodilla cultivation. Sapodilla is a fruit that greatly loves light and warmth, so this determines that the year-round climate of the selected planting site must be relatively stable. Second, the planting site is best facing the sun, and the land should be relatively flat with no low-lying areas. Then, the windbreak effect should be good and drainage should be good. Hills, plains and slopes are all acceptable. There are only two requirements for land preparation. The first is to plow deeply at least about 25 cm, and the second is to break the soil up finely and level it. The last thing is to apply sufficient base fertilizer, mainly farmyard organic fertilizer.
2. Sowing methods
There are many sowing methods for sapodilla now, such as seed sowing, grafting, cuttings and layering. The most primitive is seed sowing, and it is also a relatively commonly used sowing method. Next, grafting is also very popular now. First, because the survival rate is high, second, because quality and yield are guaranteed, and finally because it can also shorten the growth period. So what we most commonly use now is a sowing method that combines seeds and grafting. First cultivate the grafted seedlings and the sapodilla seedlings, and then once everything is ready, grafting can be carried out.
3. Reasonable close planting
We usually plant in April and May each spring, and when planting we need reasonable close planting, so as to ensure the yield and quality of sapodilla. Under normal circumstances, one mu of land can plant 200 to 300 sapodilla trees. When planting, plant according to a row spacing of 1.5 to 2 m and a plant spacing of about 1 to 1.5 m. This can ensure the permeability between the plants in the orchard.
4. Scientific management
Management mainly includes watering, fertilizing, pruning, weeding, flower and fruit thinning, and orchard cleaning. Among these, watering, fertilizing and weeding are carried out in combination, that is, they must be done in one step. Basically, fertilizing only needs to be done two to three times a year, usually by the trenching fertilization method. Flower thinning is carried out during the peak flowering period, while fruit thinning must wait until after the flowers fade and the fruits are as big as a finger, so as to ensure the smooth progress of the work. The final orchard cleaning work is also relatively important, because it can prevent and control some diseases, and at the same time make full preparations for the yield of the coming year. Finally, it can also extend the service life of the sapodilla trees, so we must be careful and meticulous when cleaning the orchard.
5. Assisted pollination
In order to increase the success rate of sapodilla fruit set, manual assisted pollination is a crucial task. There are two main manual pollination methods. The first is the manual point pollination method. This is more time-consuming, but the fruit set rate is extremely high. It mainly involves applying pollen one flower at a time, which is rather troublesome. Those planting on a small area can still consider it. But for large-area planting, it is better to use the second method, the dusting method, because the efficiency is relatively high and the success rate is also not bad. Finally, the pollination time is best chosen to be completed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.