What are the fertilization techniques for jujube trees? How to manage them in winter?

Jujube is a fruit rich in vitamins. Besides being eaten fresh, it can also be made into preserved fruit and dried products for consumption. Jujube trees are cultivated in many parts of China, and plains and hilly areas are more suitable for jujube tree growth. During the growth process of jujube trees, what are the fertilization techniques for jujube trees? How to manage them in winter?

1. What are the fertilization techniques for jujube trees?

Apply more base fertilizer in early spring and apply quick-acting fertilizer as a top dressing in late spring. There are four methods for spring fertilization of jujube trees: the ring trench application method, the radial trench application method, the strip trench application method, and the broadcast application method across the whole orchard or within the tree disk.

For the ring trench application method, dig a ring-shaped trench 60 cm wide and 30-40 cm deep around the outer edge of the tree canopy, mix the fertilizer with topsoil, apply it into the trench, and cover it with a layer of soil.

The radial trench application method involves digging 4-8 trenches in a radial pattern outward from a point 1.5 m from the trunk, with trenches 20-40 cm deep and 30-40 cm wide, mixing the fertilizer with topsoil and applying it, then covering with soil.

For the strip trench application method, dig strip trenches between tree rows or between plants at the projected outer edge of the tree canopy, with a depth of 30-50 cm, a width of 30-40 cm, and a length determined by the size of the tree canopy and the amount of fertilizer. This method saves labor and can be used when fertilizer is insufficient.

For the broadcast application method across the whole orchard or within the tree disk, spread the fertilizer evenly over the whole orchard or within the tree disk, then plow the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm, turn the fertilizer into the soil, then level the land and prepare the tree disk.

2. How to manage jujube trees in winter?

1. In winter, most varieties of jujube trees have already finished harvesting. Therefore, in winter the first thing we need to do well is orchard cleanup. First, we should gather all fallen branches and leaves, diseased and rotten fruit, and weeds in the jujube orchard and take them out of the orchard to be burned. Then do the land preparation well. The soil should be finely and deeply plowed, which can improve the soil structure, promote the downward growth of jujube tree roots, and enhance their growth capacity. Then do a good job of disinfecting the whole orchard to eliminate disease-causing bacteria and insect eggs overwintering in the soil and on tree trunks, ensuring normal growth of the jujube trees the following year.

2. In winter, we should also apply sufficient base fertilizer to the jujube orchard. Base fertilizer is also the key to ensuring the yield of jujube trees the next year. Generally, base fertilizer is mainly decomposed farmyard manure, combined with an appropriate amount of ammonium bicarbonate. Apply it together when deeply plowing the jujube orchard. Generally, the application depth of base fertilizer should be controlled at about 30 cm. The application time should be after autumn harvest and continue until before the jujube trees shed their leaves. The amount of fertilizer applied should be controlled according to the actual conditions such as tree age and growth vigor, and an appropriate watering should be done after fertilization. The fertilization method is mainly trench application, such as ring trenches and radial trenches.

3. Wrap the trunks, mound soil around them, and whitewash the trunks to prevent freezing damage.

4. In northern regions in winter, protect the trunks to prevent wild hares and other animals from gnawing the bark; you can wrap insulation and moisture-retaining tape around the base of the trunk, or apply white reflective material such as Song'er liquid film to the trunk to reduce rabbit damage.

5. Irrigate with antifreeze water, cover with plastic film, use smoke to raise the temperature, and combine with spraying Guoguang Dongli (s-abscisic acid) and other measures to improve freezing resistance.