How to Prune and Trim the branches of Ginseng Fruit
Today, the editor will explain how to prune and trim the branches of ginseng fruit and the illustration of the pruning method for Manilkara zapota, welcome to correct any mistakes!
The scientific name of Manilkara zapota (L.) van Royen; English name: Sapodilla, Sapodilla Plum, Chiku, Chicle, Naseberry, Beef Apple, Nispero. It is a common fruit tree in tropical low-altitude areas. The regions with the most extensive commercial cultivation are Mexico and Central America, mainly for collecting the latex as a raw material for perfumery. There are scattered plantations in the plains and shallow mountain slopes of Taiwan. The largest area is in Jiayi, followed by Yunlin and Tainan, with the main producing areas including Jiayi City and the Zhuzhi and Fanlu townships in Jiayi County, and Douliu City in Yunlin County.
(I) Planting
The high-pressure seedlings of Manilkara zapota vary in root development time depending on the variety, taking about 4 to 12 months. Planting is best done from April to May, with a spacing of 6 to 8 meters. Before planting, dig a hole with a diameter of about 45 centimeters and a depth of 45 centimeters, put 5 kilograms of compost in each hole, mix it thoroughly with the soil, and then plant. The seedlings should not be planted too deep, with the top of the root medium level with the ground, and the soil should be 5 centimeters higher than the ground. The planting site should not accumulate water, and the seedlings must be supported by 3 stakes and a temporary umbrella-like shade should be set up at the top of the seedlings. Later, pay attention to watering, and cover the area around the plant with straw or other materials to prevent water evaporation.
(II) Fertilization
Manilkara zapota grows slowly in the first 1 to 2 years after planting, and then gradually becomes lush. Management should be paid attention to, appropriate pruning should be done, and less nitrogen fertilizer should be used, with more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
Fertilize once in January and September each year; in January, apply 2/3 of the annual amount, and in September, after the fruit harvest, apply the remaining 1/3. For young trees less than 5 years old, a ring fertilization method can be used, digging a ring-shaped trench 15 centimeters wide and deep around the tree trunk, adding fertilizer, and then covering the soil. For trees older than 6 years, broadcasting can be done, spreading the fertilizer evenly on the orchard floor and then lightly tilling the soil to mix in the fertilizer.
(III) Pruning
The natural tree shape of Manilkara zapota is conical, with vigorous growth, and heavy pruning is not recommended. Trim the bushy and suckering branches in time. When the excessive growth of branches and leaves leads to poor fruiting, methods such as root cutting, girdling, or scoring can be used to inhibit growth, with root cutting and girdling being the most effective. Root cutting can be done during fertilization by cutting some lateral roots and then leaving the trench open for 2 to 3 days before filling it. Girdling can be done on a single trunk or branches, removing the bark in a ring shape at the base of the trunk or branches, reaching the wood, about 1 centimeter wide, and the effect is very good.
(IV) Major Pests and Diseases
The main pests of Manilkara zapota are green scale insects and fruit flies (or small citrus fruit flies). Green scale insects are less common in northern Taiwan and very common in the south, reproducing throughout the year, parasitizing the lower surface of leaves and branches of various trees, often causing sooty mold; while fruit flies cause serious damage, rendering the affected fruit inedible and often causing severe fruit drop, which needs to be prevented.
How to Prune and Trim the branches of Ginseng Fruit
(V) Harvesting
The unripe fruit of Manilkara zapota has a green skin, which later turns green, and the mature fruit is yellow-green or brown. Mature fruit can be easily picked by hand, and the white latex that flows from the peduncle is less than that of unripe fruit. After harvesting, the fruit can be placed indoors for 5 to 7 days to ripen and soften for consumption; it can also be stored at a low temperature of 1.6 to 3.3°C and a relative humidity of 85% to 90% to ripen and soften. Fruit that has reached maturity and is left on the tree can be harvested according to market needs. Fruit transported to distant places should have good ventilation and can be transported during the ripening period; if it needs to be stored and then transported, the harvesting period should be slightly earlier. Fruit close to maturity should be kept in a low temperature to prevent ripening and extend the storage period.
(VI) Uses
(I) Food
Manilkara zapota can be eaten fresh, made into fruit juice, or used as bread material; ripe fruit can also be made into jam or drinks.
According to the analysis of 9 varieties of mature Manilkara zapota fruit in southern Mexico, the composition is as follows: moisture content is 69.0% to 75.7%; ascorbic acid is 8.9 to 41.4 mg/100g; total acidity is 0.09% to 0.15%; pH is 5.0 to 5.3; total soluble solids are 17.4 to 23.7 Brix; for carbohydrates, glucose is 5.84% to 9.23%, fructose is 4.47% to 7.13%, sucrose is 1.48% to 8.75%, total sugar content is 11.14% to 20.43%, and starch is 2.98% to 6.40%. The skin contains tannins 3.16% to 6.45%. Additionally, unripe Manilkara zapota fruit contains a large amount of phenolic compounds, such as garlic acid, with 1% saponin and 0.08% sapotinin in the endosperm of the seeds. Eating more than 6 seeds may cause poisoning.
(II) Medicinal
According to "Compendium of Materia Medica," the fruit of Manilkara zapota is harvested when ripe and dried; the bark is cut in spring and dried for medicinal use. The fruit is used for stomach pain, and the bark is used for acute gastroenteritis and tonsillitis. The dosage is 5 to 10g. According to foreign reports, the fruit of Manilkara zapota helps to improve abnormal bile; the bark has nourishing, febrifugal, and astringent effects; the seeds have a diuretic effect; and the latex is used for dysentery and malaria.
(III) Other Uses
The tree shape of Manilkara zapota is beautiful and can be used as a garden or ornamental tree; the bark and fruit contain milky white latex called chicle gum, which is an important raw material for chewing gum; the wood is tough and can be used for making expensive furniture; and it is also a source of tannins and pigments.
The above is the complete content of the introduction of how to prune and trim the branches of ginseng fruit and the pruning method illustration of Manilkara zapota by Green Plant Enthusiast Network [www.lvzhimi.com] for your comprehensive understanding and reference!