What are the key points to note when winter pruning apple trees?
What should be noted when winter pruning apple trees? Please advise: when winter pruning apple trees, note the following points: ① Look at tree age: for young trees and trees just beginning to bear fruit, the pruning amount should be small and the pruning severity should be light, with attention to developing the tree shape and fruiting branch groups; for trees in full bearing period, prune moderately heavily and pay attention to rotating fruiting branch groups; for trees in the aging period, prune heavily to renew fruiting branch groups....
What should be noted when winter pruning apple trees? Please advise
When winter pruning apple trees, note the following points:
① Look at tree age: for young trees and trees just beginning to bear fruit, the pruning amount should be small and the pruning severity should be light, with attention to developing the tree shape and fruiting branch groups; for trees in full bearing period, prune moderately heavily and pay attention to rotating fruiting branch groups; for trees in the aging period, prune heavily to renew fruiting branch groups.
② Look at the number of flower buds: for fruit trees with a large number of flower buds, the pruning amount should be greater and the pruning severity appropriately heavier. Strictly control the total number of flower buds and the ratio of flower buds to leaf buds; the ratio of flower buds to leaf buds is generally 1:20. For off-year trees with few flower buds, prune lightly and retain more flower buds; for branches and branch groups without flower buds, prune heavily to renew the fruiting branch groups.
③ Look at the tree body: for vigorous trees, prune lightly, remove upright vigorous branches, and keep lateral branches and moderate branches, so as to moderate tree vigor and thereby promote flower bud formation; for weak trees, prune heavily, cut off weak branches and drooping branches, and renew aging fruiting branch groups.
④ Look at variety characteristics: for varieties with strong bud-break ability and branching ability, such as Fuji, Ralls Janet and other varieties, the canopy is easily shaded and internal light is poor, so the pruning amount should be greater; when pruning, thin more and cut less, and retain moderate branches.
⑤ Look at cultivation and management conditions: for trees with good soil, fertilizer and water management conditions and a strong tree body, the pruning severity should be light; on the contrary, for trees on thin hillside land with poor management conditions, the pruning amount should be greater and the pruning severity should be appropriately heavier, thinning less and cutting more; after each pruning, apply wound-healing antiseptic film to every wound so that the wounds heal quickly. Spray the whole orchard with Hushu Jiangjun for safe overwintering.
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