Key Points of Jujube Tree Management Techniques
The core content of this article: key points of jujube tree management techniques and the planting methods and technologies of potted jujube trees, let's learn about them together.
Potted jujube trees have four advantages: first, potted jujube cultivation is less limited by environmental climate and location, and can be planted in various places such as homes, enterprises and institutions, hotels, parks, roads, and scenic spots, fully utilizing idle spaces; second, under normal production management conditions, they can bear fruit in 2 years, with each tree yielding 3-8 kg of fresh jujubes that are edible and ornamental, and are very popular; third, they are easy to manage with low cost, and the investment cost is acceptable to people with average or above average income; fourth, it solves the problem of high prices for early-listed fresh jujubes and meets the early market demand for pure and natural green high-quality jujubes. The technical introduction is as follows.
1. Selection of Jujube Tree Varieties
Suitable ornamental jujube tree varieties for potted cultivation include Dali Long Jujube, Henan Long Jujube, Tai Li Hong, Huludao Jujube, Teapot Jujube,壶瓶枣, Pepper Jujube, Persimmon Calyx Jujube, Millstone Jujube, Jun Jujube, July Fresh Jujube, etc., with large fruit and good fruit shape. Suitable fresh-eating jujube tree varieties mainly include June Fresh, July Fresh, Apple Jujube,Fu脆蜜, Early Crisp King, Winter Jujube, Pear Jujube, etc., with good taste and fruit shape. Suitable dried jujube tree varieties include Grey Jujube, etc.
To improve the ornamental effect of potted jujube trees, varieties with different maturity periods and fruit shapes can be grafted onto one tree, usually 2-3 varieties; grafting methods include bud grafting, cleft grafting, and subcutaneous grafting.
2. Selection of Containers
Generally, plastic hard pots with a diameter of 25 cm and a height of 30 cm with good elasticity are chosen. If conditions allow, containers with a diameter of 90-120 cm and a height of 80-100 cm with good water permeability and breathability, such as clay or porcelain pots or root control devices, can be chosen to reduce potting costs. The size of the pot is selected based on the size of the seedlings and their growth strength to ensure root growth space and nutrient demand. The bottom of the pot is padded with absorbent cotton and plastic foam blocks to prevent waterlogging and root rot, while also avoiding water loss. Generally, round containers are preferred to allow roots to spread evenly in all directions.
3. Cultivation of Jujube Trees Before Potting
In March, before the jujube trees sprout, select 1-year-old seedlings with a ground diameter of 0.8 cm and a height of 80 cm, such as standard sour jujube rootstocks or water jujube suckers, and perform枝接 or bud grafting on the smooth parts 5-8 cm above the ground.
In early July, select strong-growing grafted seedlings for artistic (trunk shape) shaping to achieve the expected shape. Specific methods: pinch the top of the jujube seedlings at about 50 cm to promote trunk thickening; retain 3-5 strong lateral branches (note the layering and direction) to form a tree shape with well-developed roots, good trunk shape, and symmetrical and beautiful branching.
4. Potting
4.1 Selection of Potting Soil
Potting soil should be selected from special substrates or fertile, loose sandy soil mixed with an appropriate amount of decomposed organic fertilizer. Usually, the volume ratio is 4 parts garden soil, 2 parts humus soil, 2 parts manure, and 2 parts sandy soil, fully mixed as potting soil for备用.
4.2 Quality of Seedlings for Potting
When potting potted jujube trees, select seedlings with well-developed roots, many fibrous roots, appropriate trunk thickness and height, uniform branching, beautiful branch shape, strong growth, thick trunk base, i.e., ground diameter and seedling height greater than 0.8 cm and 80 cm respectively, with more than 3 branches, branch length greater than 40 cm, and in harmony with the size of the planting pot, 2-year-old or older seedlings.
4.3 Timing and Method of Potting
Jujube trees can be potted in spring or autumn, with a higher survival rate during the sprouting period. In Dali County, potting is done in late March or before the soil freezes in October. When potting, cut off excessive and long roots, water thoroughly after potting, and place in a facility cultivation environment.
5. Techniques for Cultivating Potted Jujube Trees
5.1 Fertilization and Water Management
Due to the limited growing space in the pot, it is necessary to ensure sufficient fertilizer and water supply for normal growth, flowering, and fruiting of the jujube trees. When planting jujube seedlings, apply sufficient organic fertilizer, and apply decomposed organic fertilizer every winter or during pot replacement. During the growing season, use high-quality fast-acting water-soluble fertilizers for irrigation or foliar application. From July to September, apply balanced fertilizers and bacterial fertilizers to strengthen tree nutrition: 1.5 kg of balanced compound fertilizer per tree and 1.5-2.0 kg of bacterial fertilizer per tree, foliar spray to the point of wetness without dripping, concentration should not be too high, and spray concentration depends on the type of fertilizer, usually between 0.01% and 0.1%. Apply fertilizer three times a year during the germination period, initial fruiting period, and full fruiting period. Water should be applied sparingly and frequently, avoiding excessive watering that causes root rot; mainly focusing on the germination water, flowering water, and rapid fruit expansion water. Rain and snow water are the best for irrigation, and can be stored for backup. Do not use tap water directly, as it can lower soil temperature and affect root development.
5.2 Shaping and Pruning
5.2.1 Cultivation of Tree Shape Due to limited growing space, the tree shape should be exquisite, compact, well-ventilated, and aesthetically pleasing. Usually, shapes such as natural open heart, small crown open layer, free spindle, V-shape, one-line, animal patterns, etc., can also be trained into various beautiful and elegant artistic patterns.
5.2.2 Winter Pruning Mainly focuses on shaping the tree. After shortening the main branches, the first secondary branch below the cut is removed to promote the germination of the main bud and form new extension branches. Remove unnecessary dense and weak branches to avoid disrupting the tree shape. Pay attention to combining winter pruning with summer pruning to achieve the desired effect.
5.2.3 Summer Pruning Mainly through measures such as bud removal, thinning, and topping to control the growth of vigorous branches, and remove excess jujube heads at any time. Potted jujube trees form quickly, usually completing shaping and pruning tasks in the same year. For new jujube heads that sprout, remove all except for the ones for renewal from the base to reduce nutrient consumption, maintain ventilation and light inside the canopy, and concentrate nutrients to promote the development of secondary branches, jujube hooks, flowers, and fruit.
5.3 Ensuring Flowering and Fruit Setting
During the flowering period, control tree growth and ventilation through measures such as bud removal and topping; apply gibberellin at 10-15 ppm, 0.3% KH2PO4, and trace elements such as boron fertilizer to strengthen buds and promote flowering and fruit setting.
5.4 Disease and Pest Control
The advantage of potted cultivation is that it does not have the problem of mutual infection and spread seen in field cultivation, with obvious control effects and convenient management. In principle, prevention is the primary focus. Before the jujube trees sprout, spray 3-5 degrees of lime sulfur solution 1-2 times, and use fungicides and insecticides to control overwintering pathogenic bacteria, pests, and eggs. During the sprouting and growing periods, use efficient insecticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin, pymetrozine, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, Bacillus thuringiensis to control pests such as green盲蝽, jujube瘿蚊, jujube 尺蠖, red spider, and scale insects; use fungicides such as carbendazim, fludioxonil, kasugamycin, kasumin, and triazole fungicides to control diseases such as gray mold, scab, anthracnose, rust, red skin disease, and leaf spot.
5.5 Forced Dormancy
Jujube trees are adaptable and cold-resistant, able to withstand temperatures above 40℃ during the growing season and -30℃ during dormancy. In the cold winter season in the Guanzhong region, they can naturally overwinter outdoors, provided that sufficient bottom fertilizer and water are applied after the jujube fruit is harvested in autumn to ensure sufficient tree nutrition and improve tree resistance. If cultivation conditions allow, potted cultivation can be combined with facility and indoor cultivation to create a small growth climate, advance the phenological period of jujube trees, achieve reverse-season growth, and achieve the effects of flowering in winter and fruiting in spring, with mature jujube fruit in early summer.
These are the key points of jujube tree management techniques and the experience and knowledge of potted jujube tree cultivation methods and techniques. I hope this article can bring you some help!