A detailed guide to almond cultivation techniques: master all the planting and management methods
Almonds are a very tasty nut, and many people confuse them with apricot kernels. But in fact, the two are completely different nuts. At present, China's main almond growing bases are concentrated in the ** region. The almond cultivation area in China is also gradually increasing, and many people want to grow them but do not know how. So how exactly should almonds be grown? Below, the editor brings you the almond cultivation techniques. Let's take a look!
1. Site selection and orchard establishment
Almond trees have a relatively strong tolerance to poor soil and can grow normally on some poor soils, but the yield will drop greatly. Therefore, when planting, we should choose soil with a deep soil layer and strong permeability, which can ensure the growth of almonds, enhance their growth capacity and increase the yield. Almonds are very susceptible to damage from late frost, so they should be planted as much as possible on wind-sheltered flat land. It is not suitable to establish an orchard in a place facing the wind, otherwise it will have a certain impact on the growth of almonds.
2. Seed selection and planting
When selecting seeds, we should pay attention to choosing varieties suitable for growth according to the local climate conditions, surrounding environment and other aspects. The planting time for almonds is generally in spring and autumn each year. When planting in autumn, it should be done after leaf fall, and after planting, good earthing-up and heat preservation work should be done. In spring, planting is done after the soil temperature rises. When planting, pay attention to the planting density; it should not be too dense, and it is mainly determined according to soil conditions and geographical conditions, with about 35-50 trees per mu. Before planting, dig the planting pits well. When planting, keep the roots level with the ground, fill the soil while pressing it firm, and after planting, water thoroughly and strengthen management.
3. Water and fertilizer management
After planting, almonds generally begin to bear fruit in the fourth year, and reach the peak fruiting period after about six years. When growing them, a intertillage operation needs to be done once every year, and it should be carried out together with topdressing. Also keep the orchard free of weeds. Then apply base fertilizer once a year to young trees, while mature trees can be fertilized about once every 3 years. Control the amount of fertilizer according to different tree ages; the older the tree, the more fertilizer is needed. In addition to watering thoroughly after planting, watering is needed at least about 3 times each year. But the water should not be too much either. Drainage work should also be done well during the rainy season, and attention should be paid to applying sufficient freezing water before winter.
4. Shaping and pruning
Almond branches have very strong growth capacity, and shaping work is needed in the same year of planting. Dwarf the almond tree and canopy, strengthen the framework, then increase the opening angle of the canopy and enhance permeability to increase the yield. Trees at different growth stages have different pruning methods. For example, for young fruiting trees, when their new shoots grow to about 55 cm, do the pinching work to promote shoots, increase the number of fruiting branches, and then thin out excess branches. Cut off useless branches such as those that are too long, too dense, or affected by pests and diseases, to prevent excessive nutrient consumption and improve permeability.
The above is a brief introduction to almond cultivation techniques. The planting risk of almonds is relatively high, so the investment cycle is long and sufficient funds are needed. Therefore, everyone must pay more attention when planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can be helpful to everyone.