The correct method and precautions for girdling Shatang mandarin

In citrus fruit trees, girdling is often used to improve fruit retention. It cuts off the phloem of the trunk and main branches, intercepting nutrients. With the root system temporarily deprived of water and fertilizer, its growth is inhibited, which in turn suppresses the sprouting of summer shoots and reduces the risk of fruit drop caused by competition between fruit and shoots for water and nutrients. So how should Shatang mandarin be girdled properly? Let's find out.

1. Selection of plants for girdling

When girdling Shatang mandarin, you must first select suitable plants. Not every Shatang mandarin tree is suitable for girdling. Choose trees with strong vigor, dark green leaves, fully mature spring shoots, and a tendency to sprout summer shoots. For weak trees that are poorly managed, undernourished, or seriously affected by pests and diseases, girdling is not suitable and may further weaken the tree vigor and cause a serious drop in yield.

2. Suitable timing and method

For fruit retention after petal fall, treatment should be differentiated according to tree vigor and flower quantity. Generally, one treatment is given; for vigorously growing trees with few flowers, two treatments are usually given, the first at the end of petal fall and the second at the end of physiological fruit drop. For girdling, it is recommended to cut two-thirds of the way around large branches or main branches, and not to girdle the large branches in the middle and lower part of the canopy. After girdling Shatang mandarin, the wound takes half a month to heal. Girdling once every half month, while the girdling wound needs 30-50 days to heal, gives a better fruit retention effect, and one girdling is enough to achieve the goal of fruit retention.

3. Precautions for girdling

Girdling must be combined with other agricultural techniques. If fertilizer management is neglected after girdling, tree vigor will decline and yield will drop. Therefore, when girdling, pay attention to the fertilizer application level and the growth vigor of the planting to decide whether to girdle and how many times to girdle. Girdling too early and too many times, with excessive fruit retention, will lead to decline in tree vigor and even plant death; while girdling too early and too many times very easily causes the alternate bearing phenomenon. Many fruit growers start girdling after petal fall, girdling once every 10-15 days, and even girdling continuously during the peak of the second physiological fruit drop, which very easily makes it difficult for spring shoots to turn green, results in an excessive fruit load, prevents autumn shoots from emerging, and forms alternate bearing.

  The above is an introduction to the Shatang mandarin girdling method and precautions. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.