Key Points and Operation Methods of Flower and Fruit Thinning Techniques for Loquat

Loquat readily forms flower clusters. In order to adjust the ratio of leaves to fruit, conserve nutrients, ensure that the fruit has sufficient nutrients to grow, and achieve a bumper harvest every year, flower and fruit thinning measures must be carried out in production. So how should loquat be thinned of flowers and fruit? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction.

1. Flower thinning

First, in areas without freeze damage in winter, it is generally carried out when the flower clusters have fully emerged but have not yet bloomed, that is, from November to December. Flower thinning should be based on tree vigor and variety. First, the number of flower clusters should be determined by tree vigor. Generally speaking, for large-fruited types, each cluster is calculated at 0.2 kg, and for medium-fruited types, each cluster is calculated at 0.15 kg. When thinning flowers, more should be removed from the upper part of the canopy and less from the lower part. At the same time, attention should be paid to flower clusters that emerge too early or too late, so as to keep the ripening period of the fruit on the whole tree uniform. In areas prone to freeze damage and sunscald, more flower clusters inside the canopy should be retained during flower thinning, and after freeze damage occurs, flower thinning should be combined with fruit thinning.

2. Flower bud thinning

Flower bud thinning is an important measure for loquat. Through flower bud thinning, nutrients can be conserved and concentrated to cultivate large fruit. There are mainly two steps: first, removing the top of the flower cluster, which is called cutting the cluster tail; second, removing the basal lateral branches of the flower cluster. In addition, the upward-curving lateral branches of the flower cluster should also be removed, while the drooping lateral branches in the middle should be retained. The specific number of lateral branches to retain depends on the variety. Generally, large-fruited varieties retain 3-4 lateral branches, while medium and small varieties retain 4-5 lateral branches. After such thinning and pruning, not only will the loquat fruit be larger in size, but the ripening period will also be more uniform, and bagging will be more convenient, with the fruit less likely to be sunburned. In areas without freeze damage, for flower bud thinning, try to choose early-opening flowers, which can significantly increase the fruit-setting rate; while in areas with freeze damage, late-opening flowers are suitable, and a bit more flowers may be retained, delaying the flowering and fruiting period and avoiding the freeze damage period.

3. Fruit thinning

Fruit thinning is generally carried out after the young fruit has stabilized, that is, about 1 month after fruit setting. At this time, the fruit has not yet entered the rapid expansion stage. Fruit thinning can make the fruit evenly distributed and moderate in number, ensuring an average single fruit weight of about 50-60 grams. First, remove deformed fruit, diseased and insect-damaged fruit, injured fruit, and freeze-damaged fruit, and then remove some of the less developed fruit in batches. When thinning fruit, try to select and retain young fruit that are similar in size, color, position, and orientation, as this can save harvesting time. The number of fruit retained per cluster depends on the variety and tree vigor. Generally, large-fruited types retain 2-4 per cluster, and medium-fruited types retain 3-5.

The above is an introduction to loquat flower and fruit thinning techniques. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.