Kiwifruit Summer Pruning Methods and Benefits Explained
Kiwifruit is a fruit with very high nutritional value and is grown on a very large area in China. When growing kiwifruit, attention must be paid to proper management, especially pruning. Now that summer is gradually arriving, summer pruning work is particularly important. So what are the benefits of reasonable summer pruning when growing kiwifruit? And how should it be pruned? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Benefits of summer pruning
Proper summer pruning of kiwifruit can effectively improve field ventilation and light penetration, promote air circulation, and increase the flowering and fruiting rate. It prevents leaves in areas with uneven light exposure from yellowing and aging, increases accumulation within the plant, and enhances the storage and transport capacity of kiwifruit. In addition, proper summer pruning can effectively reduce excessive nutrient consumption, concentrate nutrients on the fruiting canes, increase the rate of normal flowers and the growth capacity of leaves, and prevent leaf drop and flower drop. Finally, it can also effectively prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases, such as leafhoppers and black spot disease.
2. How to carry out summer pruning
Proper pinching
When growing kiwifruit, we should pay attention to observing its growth. Around July, summer pruning work can begin. This is because this is the peak growth period for summer shoots of kiwifruit plants, and proper pinching should be carried out. This prevents various undesirable phenomena such as tangling and excessive vegetative growth, which disperse nutrients and affect the growth of kiwifruit. Concentrate nutrients on the fruit, promote fruit development, and improve quality. Then carry out a second pinching when the branches and vines become tangled, and reasonably control the timing according to the growth vigor of the kiwifruit tree.
Thinning and pruning branches
When pinching, we must also do a good job of thinning and pruning branches, also around July. First, the targets for thinning are overly long, overly dense, pest- and disease-affected branches at the base and on some main canes. Then also remove crossing and overlapping branches, upright vigorous branches, and thin weak branches, so as to improve the overall growth vigor of the kiwifruit tree, promote the growth of kiwifruit, increase ventilation and light penetration in the orchard, and ensure that the kiwifruit tree receives uniform light. When thinning branches, note that on the fruiting canes, about one new shoot should be retained every 12 cm to avoid a decline in growth vigor and achieve the opposite of the desired result.
Reasonable fruit thinning
After completing pinching and branch thinning in July-August, fruit thinning should begin. The time is also best kept around July-August, and at the latest must not exceed September. During fruit growth, the main targets for thinning are weak small fruits that are pest- or disease-affected, deformed, sunburned, or overly dense. These fruits have very low commercial value and also consume a large amount of nutrients. Therefore, our goal should be to retain fruits that are robust, have thick fruit stalks, and are plump and juicy. When thinning fruits, proceed reasonably according to the growth vigor of the branches. Generally, retain about 5 on vigorous branches, about 3 on moderate branches, and then retain one. Control the leaf-to-fruit ratio on the fruit tree at about 4 to 1.
The above is a brief introduction to kiwifruit summer pruning methods and benefits. Pruning work for kiwifruit is very important. It not only has a great impact on yield, but also determines its quality, so everyone must pay close attention to it. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for your reading and support.