What are the winter management methods for papaya trees?
Papaya is a typical tropical plant, so it needs relatively high temperatures during growth. Its tolerance to low temperatures is not strong, and after winter arrives, because temperatures are low and frost is frequent, it is extremely susceptible to damage. Therefore, in winter we must pay attention to doing a good job of management, so how should papaya trees be managed in winter? Below, the editor will give everyone a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Increase base fertilizer application
In winter, applying base fertilizer to papaya trees is the first management task to do well. If you want to grow safe, green organic fruit, then before the soil freezes, apply sufficient organic fertilizer to each plant to help the papaya trees overwinter safely. Usually in late September, deep plow the soil of the papaya orchard and combine this with applying base fertilizer. The base fertilizer is mainly barnyard manure and farmyard manure, combined with an appropriate amount of quick-acting chemical fertilizer, etc. Control the application amount well according to tree age. If it is a young tree, then apply about 20-25 kg per plant; if it is a mature large tree, then apply about 40 kg.
2. Control autumn shoots
In autumn, the growth of new shoots enters its peak period, thus forming autumn shoots. If autumn shoots grow vigorously, then it will cause papaya trees to consume too many nutrients, weaken tree vigor, and affect the dormancy of papaya trees. So in October-November, carry out girdling on the smooth part of the papaya tree trunk, girdling to the xylem, and then apply agents such as Flower Promoter King to the girdled area. If growth is relatively vigorous, then use it about once every half a month; if tree vigor is weak, once a month is enough. Proper application to promote flowers and control autumn shoots can improve the dormancy quality of papaya trees, avoid the phenomenon of alternate bearing, and ensure that papaya trees overwinter safely.
3. Orchard cleaning work
After the autumn harvest of papaya trees, orchard cleaning work is also very important. It should be carried out after the papaya trees shed their leaves. Prune off old dead branches, and take fallen leaves and weeds out of the orchard in a centralized way for burning and disposal. Then also clean up the peeling bark and old bark on the main trunk, and spray the trees with agents such as lime sulfur mixture and Tree Protection General to disinfect, eliminating disease bacteria and pests lurking on the trees to overwinter. Then the trunk should also be whitewashed with whitewash agent to play a role in freeze prevention and heat preservation. Finally, carefully inspect and eliminate insect eggs in the bark and bark cracks, eliminating sources of disease and pest infection to the greatest extent.
4. Do a good job of pruning
Winter pruning of papaya trees is also very important. The winter pruning time should be December-February. Do not prune too late, otherwise small-leaf phenomenon is prone to occur. When pruning, remove about two of the overly thick and large main branches on the trunk, from bottom to top, to improve the permeability of the tree canopy. Then promptly thin out competing branches, water sprouts, and some fruiting branch groups that will affect the tree vigor of papaya trees. Then for branches such as whorled branches and overlapping branches, follow the principle of first thinning the strong and thinning the large, and adjust appropriately each year. Finally, also use methods such as thinning, retraction, and branch pulling for pruning. After pruning, treat the wounds to avoid cracking and damage from disease bacteria.
The above is a brief introduction to how to manage papaya trees in winter. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!