Detailed Explanation of Key Techniques for Autumn and Winter Management of Persimmon Trees

Developing persimmon production is a good way for farmers to get rich, and based on years of experience, autumn and winter management is particularly important in persimmon production. The following points should be mastered:

1. Branch Bending and Pruning

1. The best time for autumn branch bending is September. The main targets for bending are the main branches and auxiliary branches. The opening angle of the basal main branches should be about 90 degrees; bend downward if less than 70 degrees, bend upward if greater than 70 degrees, and bend left or right if the orientation is inappropriate.

2. Winter pruning of persimmon trees is beneficial for early fruiting of young trees, high and stable yields of mature trees, and renewal and rejuvenation of aging trees. Winter pruning is generally carried out from leaf fall to before bud break the following spring, with pruning adjusted according to differences in soil, tree vigor and pests and diseases. If persimmon angular leaf spot or persimmon fruit borer damage is found to be severe, heavy pruning should be carried out; otherwise, light pruning should be carried out.

2. Fertilizer and Water Management

The suitable time for applying base fertilizer in autumn is from mid-to-late September to early October, when microbial activity is vigorous and organic matter decomposes quickly, which is conducive to root absorption. The fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer, supplemented with quick-acting fertilizers such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Water immediately after application. In mountainous areas without irrigation, snow can be piled in the tree pits and ice blocks placed there to increase soil moisture for the persimmon trees' water needs.

3. Pest and Disease Control

Persimmon trees have many types of pests and diseases, and cleaning the persimmon orchard in autumn and winter is an effective period for control.

1. In autumn and winter, diseased fruit, persimmon calyxes, dead branches and fallen leaves should be thoroughly removed. This can eliminate the overwintering sites of pests and diseases such as angular leaf spot, circular leaf spot and anthracnose, reducing damage the following year.

2. To control pests such as the persimmon fruit borer and the globular mealybug, in winter it is necessary to scrape off the old, rough and cracked bark on the trunk and large branches, remove insect-infested fruit hanging on the persimmon trees, and destroy them in a centralized manner. Combined with plowing the soil and repairing field ridges, overwintering eggs should be eliminated to reduce the pest and disease population base. In addition, after scraping the bark, the trunk should be whitewashed.