Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Spring Planting Techniques of Almonds

I. Cultivating Superior Seedlings. For almond rootstock, the own-root stock or peach rootstock is preferable; grafting onto apricot rootstock shows slow growth, poor healing, and stunted development, so it should not be used. Practice has proven that using almond as rootstock gives a high survival rate, good healing, high yield, and long lifespan, but slower growth. Using peach as rootstock (mountain peach or wild peach) gives a high survival rate and fast growth, but after healing the rootstock and scion diameters are inconsistent, and the lifespan is shorter (about 20 years). The seedling-raising method is basically the same as the technique for producing mature seedlings of common peach in the same year. Choose fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil; sow the rootstock seed in autumn or after stratification in spring; the number of seedlings raised per mu is around 8,000. Strengthen management during the seedling stage. In early to mid-June, use T-budding or bud grafting with wood. The seedling height can reach more than 80 cm in the same year.

II. Reasonable Close Planting. Almond is a fruit tree with a strong light requirement and should not be planted too densely. According to local soil and geographical conditions, generally 3 m x 4 m, 4 m x 4 m, or 3 m x 5 m may be used. In arid areas or poor hilly land, it can be appropriately denser, while in fertile plain areas or places with irrigation conditions, it is suitable to plant more sparsely. The planting number is preferably 40-80 plants per mu.

III. Pay Attention to the Arrangement of Pollinator Trees. Almond is a cross-pollinated fruit tree and is self-unfruitful, and some varieties are incompatible for pollination with each other, so pollinator trees need to be arranged in production. Generally, for every 3-4 rows of the main cultivar, 1-2 rows of pollinator cultivars are arranged. Alternatively, 2-3 main cultivars can be mixed planted and serve as pollinators for each other. Each newly built orchard should generally plant 2-5 varieties to ensure effective pollination.

IV. Seedling Planting. Planting time can be divided into two periods: autumn and spring. Spring planting is carried out after the soil thaws and before the seedling leaf buds sprout, around March to April. Before planting, first measure the planting points according to the determined row and plant spacing, and mark them with lime. Then, with the point as the center, dig planting holes. The size of the planting hole is preferably 80 cm square or 100 cm square; or dig a continuous trench along the row, with a depth of 80-100 cm. When digging the planting holes, pile the topsoil and subsoil separately. After digging the planting holes, apply 10-20 kg of fully decomposed high-quality organic fertilizer per hole, mix it evenly with the topsoil, and fill it into the planting hole. While filling, tread it down. When filled to a certain position, place the seedling, then continue filling soil, lift the seedling to straighten the roots, and then tread firmly so that the root system is in close contact with the soil. The planting depth of the seedling should be the same as it was in the nursery.