How to protect citrus leaves in winter? Master these practical tips
After citrus enters dormancy in winter, most of the tree's nutrients are stored in the leaves, so proper leaf protection in winter not only helps strengthen the tree's cold resistance and promotes flower bud differentiation, but also benefits the next year's sprouting, flowering and fruiting. So how should citrus leaves be protected in winter? Follow the editor to take a look.
1. Spraying for leaf protection
Focus on controlling red spider mites, which are one of the main pests harming citrus. They have no obvious diapause period, and even when winter temperatures are low, red spider mites still cause serious damage, and they are one of the main causes of abnormal leaf drop in citrus. When more than one red spider mite is found per leaf, you can spray propargite or other acaricides for control.
2. Fertilizing and spraying growth regulators
After citrus is harvested, nutrients are depleted. If fertilizer is not applied in time, some orchards will show curled and wilted old leaves, so fertilizing right after picking fruit can keep the leaves dark green and help the tree recover its vigor quickly. You can also spray paclobutrazol, which can enhance chlorophyll synthesis in the leaves, improve leaf photosynthesis, and prevent premature leaf aging.
3. Pruning
Proper pruning can significantly improve light conditions and promote leaf photosynthesis. When pruning, follow the principle of leaving gaps and removing dense growth, and keeping strong branches while removing weak ones. Thin out dense branches, crossing branches and overlapping branches in time, and also cut off water sprouts, drooping branches and branches with severe pests and diseases.
4. Drought resistance, waterlogging prevention and freeze protection
Drought and lack of water can easily cause the root system to dry up, weaken its ability to absorb nutrients and water, increase leaf transpiration and cause leaf drop. So after winter begins, when drought occurs, water in time to resist it; you can use furrow irrigation or hole irrigation, combined with spraying water on the leaves. If there is rainy weather, drain water promptly after the rain. In addition, after fruit harvest, combine deep soil turning with one heavy fertilizer application, then mound soil after fertilizing to raise ground temperature. In the early stage of Frost's Descent, whitewash the trunk or wrap it with straw to help it overwinter.
The above are citrus winter leaf protection tips. I hope they can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.