What is the best time to bend the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree?
Bending the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree means spreading out the branch angles of the tree. By propping, pressing and pulling, the growth angles of the scaffold branches and auxiliary branches of the Sichuan pepper tree are changed, so as to adjust the tree crown, improve the light and air penetration of the tree, and increase the yield and quality of the Sichuan pepper. So what is the best time to bend the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree? And what should be noted when bending the branches? Below, the editor will briefly introduce it to everyone. Let's take a look together!
1. Branch-bending time
When bending the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree, it should generally be done after the Mid-Autumn Festival or at Qingming Festival in the spring of the following year. These two periods are very suitable for bending the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree, because during these two periods the branches of the Sichuan pepper tree are relatively soft. When bending the branches, the branches are not easily injured and split. After entering September, the branches of the Sichuan pepper tree gradually become lignified, and the branches also become relatively stiff. If the branches are bent, the xylem of the branches may be injured. After the branches are injured, their cold resistance will weaken, and they are prone to freezing damage in winter and cannot overwinter safely.
2. Branches to be bent
Besides clearly understanding the branch-bending time, the branches to be bent also need to be clear to us. First are some main branches whose tip angles are not open, then the auxiliary branches growing level with the main branches. Then there are also the side bearing branches growing in parallel, and finally some main and side branches that are unreasonably distributed and improperly positioned. These branches can all have their angles and growth directions adjusted through artificial branch-bending methods such as propping and pulling. This prompts the Sichuan pepper tree to form a good crown structure, improves the light and air penetration of the Sichuan pepper tree as well as the utilization rate of light energy and space, and advances the time to fruiting and the yield.
3. Branch-bending angle
When bending branches, it is not enough to casually spread the branches to an angle. The angle is what we need to pay special attention to. If it is a main branch, then it should be raised upward, while side branches only need to remain level and gentle. When bending main branches, the angles of the upper and lower branch groups should be appropriately smaller, and horizontal branches should remain slender, thereby creating a three-dimensional fruiting space. When distributing branches and branch groups, a reasonable mix of large, medium and small branches should be maintained, and the upper, middle and lower branches should be distributed in a staggered but orderly manner.
4. Notes on branch bending
There are still many points we need to pay attention to when bending branches. First, if the Sichuan pepper tree is weak in tree vigor, then it is best not to bend the branches, and moreover, when the branches are short, try not to bend them either. Before bending the branches, pruning work should also be done well, removing diseased and disabled parts, old branches and other branches. Then when bending the branches, first gently pull the branches to a suitable angle; do not use too much force. Avoid causing branch damage, breakage and so on. Finally, if the branches split when bending, a healing agent should be appropriately applied to the split, and then wrapped with plastic film to avoid gumming.
The above is a brief introduction to the best time to bend the branches of a Sichuan pepper tree. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!