What are the precautions for growing soft-seed pomegranates?
The soft-seed pomegranate is a new variety of pomegranate, and its popularity on the market far exceeds that of the common pomegranate. The soft-seed pomegranate is superior to ordinary pomegranates in appearance, taste and other aspects, so its economic value is also higher. So what issues do we need to pay attention to when growing soft-seed pomegranates? Let's take a brief look below.
1. Soil and fertilizer management
Soft-seed pomegranates are suitable for planting in plots with soft soil, sufficient water, sufficient sunlight, and good fertilizer and water retention. When planting, we generally use the method of pit reclamation, then add farmyard manure into each planting pit, and then spread a thin layer of soil before planting. Next, what we need to pay attention to is that after planting, in order to promote the absorption and utilization rate of nutrients, we need to carry out two rounds of intertillage, and at the same time we also need to properly apply additional fertilizer, mainly by the method of root-side trench application.
2. Planting density
When planting, we must reasonably control the planting density. The soft-seed pomegranate is a relatively small fruit tree, so we can usually adopt high-density planting, also known as intensive planting density. Generally, 110 fruit trees can be planted per mu, with a row spacing of 3 m and a plant spacing of 2 m for each tree. Of course, there is also another planting density with a row spacing of 3 to 4 m and a plant spacing of 3 m, also known as the extensive planting model. So we need to reasonably adjust the planting density according to the selected planting model, so that resources can be utilized to the maximum extent.
3. Tree shape management
Tree shape management is actually the pruning of the branches and leaves of the soft-seed pomegranate tree. We need to start pruning during the young tree stage of the soft-seed pomegranate tree, mainly to cultivate its tree shape and crown. After the crown of the young tree takes shape, we need to reasonably regulate the density between branches and properly adjust the fruiting branches. For pomegranate trees in the fruiting stage, we should pay even more attention to the pruning of branches and leaves to enhance the permeability between branches. The pruning principles for the remaining branches and leaves are consistent with those for other fruit trees.
4. Promoting flowering and preserving fruit
The work of promoting flowering and preserving fruit is an issue we need to focus on during the planting process. When the soft-seed pomegranate tree has just budded, we need to apply additional fertilizer once, which can promote pomegranate flowering, extend the pomegranate flowering period, and increase the fruit-setting rate of pomegranates. Next, during this period we also need to reasonably carry out flower thinning. After the pomegranates set fruit, we need to properly remove some of the pomegranate fruits and keep only the fruits with better growth, so that the fruits produced are large and good. Finally, it is best to spray an appropriate amount of chemicals to prevent flower and fruit drop, such as paclobutrazol, gibberellin, etc., and the effects are all very good.
The above are the most common issues in the process of growing soft-seed pomegranate trees, and they are also the main issues we need to pay attention to. Of course, when planting, it is best to also take measures to prevent freezing damage and pests and diseases, which can greatly reduce the risk of planting.