A Complete Analysis of the Key Points of Cultivation and Management Techniques for Late-Maturing Peaches

I. Orchard Site Conditions Late-maturing peaches and winter peaches require environmental conditions similar to those of ordinary peaches. In Yunnan, areas at an altitude of 1800-2100 m, with an average temperature of 12°C-15°C, an annual accumulated temperature of ≥10°C of 4000°C-4500°C, annual rainfall of 800-1000 mm, annual sunshine of about 2000 hours, good irrigation and drainage conditions, convenient transportation, gentle terrain, deep soil layers, and sandy loam or light gravelly loam that is loose and fertile with abundant organic matter and a pH value of 5-6.5 can all be planted.

II. Variety Selection Judging from the trial plantings in various places so far, Hongxin Xiantao, Wanhongmi, Taowang Jiujiu, Huawanglu, Zhonghua Dongtao No. 2, and others have performed relatively well and stably in most parts of Yunnan, while Zhonghua Shoutao, Fuxing Shoutao, and others have performed poorly. It is best to first introduce and test varieties, then select those that adapt to the local climate and environment and also have high and stable yields and excellent quality for planting.

III. Orchard Establishment Requirements In accordance with the "four highs" requirements of a high starting point, high standards, high quality, and high technology, build a standardized, large-scale, standardized, commercialized, and industrialized "five modernizations" peach orchard, so as to produce high-grade peaches in large quantity and of excellent quality to open up the market, meet market demand, and gain consumer acceptance.

IV. Careful Planting and Fine Management When planting, the varieties must be pure and correct, the seedlings strong and the roots good, the planting holes large and the fertilizer sufficient, the depth appropriate, and the density reasonable, laying a solid foundation with "three minutes" of planting, and after planting, promptly and meticulously carry out the "seven minutes" of management in the six areas of soil, fertilizer, water, pruning, plant protection, and flowers and fruits. Among these, plant protection (pest and disease control) is especially the most critical, because most areas of Yunnan have distinct dry and rainy seasons, and the rainy season from June to October is the period of fruit growth and development and the peak period of pest and disease occurrence. Damage to the fruit by peach scab, anthracnose, brown rot, peach fruit borer, peach fruit moth, pear fruit fly, and others often turns the fruit into diseased and insect-damaged fruit, causing them to lose commercial and edible value. Therefore, these pests and diseases must be well controlled, and this is the key to whether success can be achieved.

In fertilization, because peaches have a high potassium requirement and need a complete range of elements, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be well coordinated and trace elements supplemented during fertilization. In the annual growth cycle, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is roughly 1:0.5:1.5. When potassium is insufficient, the leaves are small and pale, the leaf margins scorch and wither, yellow spots appear on the leaf blades, the leaves fall early, fruit drop is severe, and the fruit tip rots before the fruit ripens. When fertilizing, from February to May, nitrogen is the main nutrient, followed by phosphorus and potassium, to promote neat flowering and leafing, shoot growth, and young fruit growth; from June to July, phosphorus is the main nutrient, followed by nitrogen and potassium, to promote seed development and flower bud differentiation; from August to October, potassium is the main nutrient, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus, to promote fruit enlargement, sugar conversion, improved coloring, and improved quality. Also, during the growing season, foliar topdressing should be used to supplement trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, boron, and zinc.

For late-maturing peaches and winter peaches to be brightly colored and attractive and to suffer little pest and disease damage, the fruit must be bagged. Bagging is carried out within 50-60 days after petal fall, and the bags are removed 30 days before harvest to allow the fruit to receive light and color and to convert sugars. One day before bagging, spray once with 1000 times mancozeb plus 3000 times deltamethrin, or 1500 times thiophanate-methyl plus 3000 times kung fu, to prevent pests and diseases during the bagging period. For fruit bags, choose double-layer, dual-color bags with a yellow-white outer layer and a black inner layer. The fruit bags should be high-quality bags made of medium-thick, flexible, and water-impermeable paper, not inferior bags made of thick, hard, brittle, and water-permeable paper. Other management practices are the same as for mid- and early-maturing peaches.