Getting the timing and method of girdling pomegranate trees right

During pomegranate cultivation, the trees are continually shaped and pruned, which can improve yield and quality, and girdling is a commonly used pruning method during pomegranate growth. Different girdling times serve different purposes: for example, girdling in May can improve the fruit-setting rate of pomegranates, while girdling in July can accelerate flower bud differentiation and achieve a promoting effect. However, girdling also requires certain skills and methods, otherwise it can easily lead to plant death. Let's take a look at pomegranate tree girdling techniques below.

1. Girdling time

Girdling is mainly done in summer, and can be carried out during the period from May to July. This stage is during the pomegranate's growth period, so after girdling it can recover quickly. But once August arrives, temperatures begin to drop, and after girdling a pomegranate tree, the wound caused by girdling is not easy to heal and is vulnerable to invasion by pathogens, thus affecting later growth, so girdling must be strictly prohibited at this time.

2. Target of girdling

Girdling also requires attention to the target. Not all trees and areas are suitable for girdling. Some plants grow relatively weakly, and if girdled, they will form a large number of flower buds, thereby consuming the already limited nutrients, which will lead to premature aging and death of the plant. Therefore, the targets of girdling are generally trees with overly strong vigor and luxuriant branches and leaves. Girdling is mainly performed on their trunks, main branches, side branches and secondary branches, with the main purpose of controlling their flower growth and promoting flower bud formation.

3. Girdling method

When girdling, pay attention to the width of the wound; it should not be too wide or too narrow. If too wide, the wound will not heal for a long time; if too narrow, it will heal too early, and both will reduce the effect of girdling. Generally, the width is one-tenth or one-fifteenth of the girdling circumference. First girdle the main trunk, at 10-20cm above the ground, in a place where the bark is flat and smooth, use a knife to cut a ring around the trunk, with the depth reaching the xylem, then according to the width, make another horizontal cut above it, and peel off the bark. Use the same method to girdle other parts.

4. Wound protection

After girdling, the wound should be protected promptly to prevent pathogen invasion. Newspaper or plastic film can be used to wrap the wound well, because pomegranate wounds must heal in a dark environment to heal normally. If exposed to sunlight, the wound will not heal normally, and in severe cases, the plant will wither and die.

5. Post-girdling management

As long as the wound is handled properly after pomegranate girdling, it will generally heal completely after one month. At this time, the newspaper or plastic film wrapping the wound needs to be removed promptly, which is beneficial to the growth of the trunk. If due to improper girdling time, or the girdling wound being too wide or too deep,

as well as too many branches being girdled, the wound has still not healed within one month, it should be wrapped again promptly. And strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote its recovery. When the number of flowers is large, appropriate flower thinning can reduce nutrient consumption and maintain growth.

The above is the timing and method for girdling pomegranate trees. We hope it helps you. To learn more about pomegranate cultivation, please follow us.