What are the key points for managing apple trees during the flowering period?
Apple is a very common fruit in China, and there are also many people who grow apples. When growing apples, if you want to improve the fruit set rate and fruit quality of apples, then you must do a good job in management. Apples have different management methods at each growth stage, so how should they be managed during the flowering period? Below, the editor brings you the key points for managing apple trees during the flowering period. Let's take a look together!
1. Artificial pollination
Artificial pollination is the main management measure needed to avoid low apple fruit set rates caused by abnormal weather, insufficient pollinator trees, and other reasons. First, we should select good pollinator trees. The pollinator trees must have a consistent flowering period and abundant pollen. Then, before flowering, do a good job in collecting pollen. Collect more when there are many flowers and less when there are few flowers. After collecting the flowers, gather the pollen. Rub the styles of two flowers against each other, place clean paper underneath to catch the anthers, and then store them properly. Pollinate during full bloom, using an eraser or fur to dab it on.
2. Flower and fruit thinning
Thinning flowers and fruits during the flowering period of apple trees can effectively prevent the phenomenon of alternate bearing in apple trees and can also significantly improve fruit quality. During full bloom, flower thinning should be done well, and then fruit thinning should be carried out about one week after petal fall. The entire flower and fruit thinning work should be completed within one month. We should control the amount of thinning according to the bearing capacity of the apple tree. Thin more from those with weak bearing capacity, and conversely, thin more as well. We can thin flowers and fruits according to branches and fruits, ensuring that the proportion of small fruit-bearing branches without fruit set is about 30%, and medium-sized ones about 40%. Then thin flowers by leaving one after every one removed, keeping one fruit about every 20 cm.
3. Strengthen nutrition
After apple trees enter the flowering period, because flowering consumes a large amount of nutrients, we must do a good job in topdressing during the flowering period to provide sufficient nutrients for apple trees to bloom. Before and after flowering, spray urea about 3 times, then spray borax once during full bloom, and spray monopotassium phosphate once after flowering. The growth of apple trees has a relatively comprehensive demand for nutrients, so when topdressing, it is best to carry out a soil testing and formulated fertilization once, so as to supplement nutrients accordingly, increase the flowering amount of apple trees, and improve planting benefits.
4. Pest and disease control
The flowering period is a relatively weak period for apple trees, and during this time they are very susceptible to damage from pests and diseases. For example, scarab beetles, ring rot, and so on, so we must do a good job in pest and disease control. Strengthen prevention, control the amount of fertilizer and water well, promote flowering and fruiting of apple trees, and enhance the disease resistance of apple trees. When abnormal conditions are found in apple trees, identify exactly what pests and diseases they are, and then carry out targeted control.
The above is a brief introduction to the key points for managing apple trees during the flowering period. Great attention must be paid to the flowering period management of apple trees to improve the flowering and fruit set rate. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you everyone for reading and supporting.