Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Winter Pruning Techniques of Japanese Apricot (Green Plum)
Pruning is an indispensable management practice during the growth of Japanese apricot, and the most critical pruning for fruit trees is winter pruning. Winter pruning of Japanese apricot may look quite complex, but it can actually be summarized as heading back, renewal pruning, thinning out, and leaving unpruned. Follow along with the editor below to take a detailed look.
1. Heading Back
Heading back means cutting off part of a one-year-old branch while leaving part of it. Depending on the degree of pruning, heading back can be divided into 3 types: light, moderate, and heavy. Cutting off a small section is called light heading back; cutting near the plump buds in the middle of the branch is called moderate heading back; cutting off most of the branch is called heavy heading back. Different degrees of heading back produce different effects. The main purpose of heading back is to stimulate the buds below the cut to sprout and to promote extended vegetative growth. Generally, light heading back serves to moderate growth vigor and promote flower bud formation, and this method is often used on many plants with relatively strong growth. Moderate heading back is used to cultivate scaffold branches and shape the tree form of young trees; while heavy heading back is mainly to strengthen growth vigor and is generally used on plants with weaker growth.
2. Renewal Pruning
Renewal pruning means heading back perennial branches, and it is used relatively often when controlling auxiliary nurse branches, cultivating fruiting branches, and renewing old branches. Regarding the effect of renewal pruning on branches, because the wounds left during pruning differ in size and orientation, the wounds have a strengthening effect on the following year, so when carrying out renewal pruning on Japanese apricot, the size of the wound should be determined according to the situation.
3. Thinning Out
Thinning out means directly cutting off a branch from its base. The wound from thinning out has a controlling effect on the upper part and a mainly promoting and strengthening effect on the lower part. On scaffold branches, thinning out can leave a very small stub at the cut, which can weaken the upper part. Thinning out is mainly used to remove overly dense branches and water sprouts, which can not only increase the permeability of the tree canopy, but also save nutrient consumption, increase nutrient accumulation in the fruit, and be beneficial for flower bud differentiation and flowering and fruiting the following year.
4. Leaving Unpruned
Leaving unpruned is also called long pruning. It means not heading back a one-year-old branch, which is called long pruning. After a branch is left unpruned, it can form more medium and short branches, which is beneficial for flower bud formation. Leaving more branches unpruned has a relatively large effect on early growth, but it cannot be used indiscriminately. At the same time, competitive branches, water sprouts, scaffold branches, and upright branches cannot be left unpruned, otherwise it will disrupt the tree form and affect the permeability of the plant, which is extremely unfavorable for plant growth.
The above is an introduction to the key points of winter pruning techniques for Japanese apricot. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.