When Does the Loquat Tree Bloom
As an evergreen fruit tree with both economic and ornamental value, the blooming characteristics of the loquat tree directly affect fruit yield. Its unique flowering pattern and key points for maintenance are essential knowledge that growers must master. This article will delve into the loquat blooming cycle and supporting management plan to help you cultivate high-quality fruits.
Characteristics of the Loquat Tree's Blooming Cycle
October to January Double Blooming Phenomenon
The loquat tree exhibits an annual blooming characteristic, forming two distinct flowering waves from October to the following January. The first wave, known as "head flowers," blooms in October to November, resulting in larger and higher-quality fruits but requires caution against frost damage below -3°C. The second wave, called "second flowers," opens in December to January, though the fruits are slightly smaller, they possess stronger cold resistance and a stable fruit-setting rate.
Regional Differences North and South
In the Yangtze River Valley, the peak blooming period usually begins in early November, while in the South China region, it may start as early as mid-October. High-altitude planting areas need to pay special attention to low-temperature protection, using wind barriers or covering with thermal insulation film to ensure the development of head flowers.
Four Key Management Tips During the Loquat Flowering Period
Water Management Strategy
Maintain soil moisture at 60-70% during the autumn dry season, using morning sprinkling. The focus is on foliar spraying from 10:00 to 14:00 on sunny days, which not only improves pollination efficiency but also avoids high humidity at night that may trigger gray mold disease.
Nutrition Supplement Plan
Apply a mixture of 0.2% urea and 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate every 5 days, combined with the application of decomposed cake fertilizer in furrows. During the peak blooming period, additional boron-zinc micro-fertilizers can increase pollen vitality by over 15%.
Scientific Flower Thinning Operation
Retain 1/3 of the healthy flowers in the center of the flower spike, controlling the number of flowers per spike to 15-20. Promptly remove frost-damaged flowers, malformed flowers, and overly dense flower clusters to allow nutrients to be concentrated in high-quality flowers.
Pest and Disease Control System
Focus on preventing and controlling flower rot and aphids, alternating the use of 50% carbendazim 800x solution and 10% imidacloprid 2000x solution. Set up yellow sticky traps to monitor pest populations and spray biological agents before rain to prevent disease outbreaks.
By accurately grasping the blooming patterns and implementing dynamic management, the best balance between the quality of head flowers and the yield of second flowers can be achieved. It is recommended to establish a flowering period management log, recording key data such as temperature, fertilization, and fruit setting to provide a scientific basis for optimizing cultivation plans.