What is the best time to remove the bags from apples?
After apples set fruit, they must be bagged to protect the fruit from being eaten by insects or infected by diseases. After bagging, pesticides can also be used with more confidence to control pests and diseases. However, bagging has a timing, and removing the bags also has a timing requirement. When removing the bags is good for fruit growth, and the bags need to be removed, then they can be removed.
1. Bag removal period
The bag removal time varies somewhat depending on the apple variety, and the time for bag removal is also determined by the type of bag used. For example, for red varieties using single-layer bags, one month before harvest the bag can be torn open into an umbrella shape to shield the fruit and avoid sunburn. After another week or so, it can be removed completely. For red varieties using double-layer bags, remove the outer layer one month before harvest, and after a week of sunny days remove the inner layer bag. For yellow-green varieties using single-layer bags, the bags can be removed at harvest.
2. Bag removal time
The specific bag removal time is before 11 a.m., but when the dew has already dried. In the afternoon, when the sunlight gradually softens, the bags can also be removed. Bags must not be removed at noon, when direct strong light shines and the fruit has not adapted to the light, making it easy to burn. This leads to a decline in quality. Removing the bags too early makes the fruit color dull and not glossy; removing them too late makes the fruit color pale.
3. Bag removal method
Support the fruit, untie the wire with the right hand, pinch the bag opening with the other hand, remove the outer bag with the right hand, keep the inner bag attached to the fruit. Removing the inner bag one week after removing the outer bag is to avoid too great a difference between the fruit temperature and the outside temperature, so it gradually adapts to the temperature; otherwise it easily causes sunburn. Do not remove the inner bag on rainy days, as it easily causes chlorophyll to develop and the fruit color will not look good. For single-layer bags, first open the bottom for ventilation, and remove it completely after a week.
4. Precautions
Before removing the bags from the fruit, irrigate once to prevent water loss. The bag removal time should be neither too early nor too late, to avoid affecting fruit quality. When removing the bags, prune nearby dead branches to prevent the fruit from being punctured. Do not remove the bags on rainy or cloudy days. The removed bags should be collected and taken out of the orchard to avoid pollution.
In general, the bag removal time for apples must be considered, and it should be done so that removing the bags will not affect the growth and quality of the fruit. The bags cannot be removed at will, otherwise it easily triggers sunburn.