Key Points of Apple Tree Cultivation Techniques
Here is a comprehensive introduction to the knowledge of green plant cultivation techniques and the methods and steps of apple tree cultivation.
The apple tree is a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, Malus genus, and one of the most famous fruits in the world. Apples are native to eastern Turkey and are mainly distributed in Liaoning, Hebei, Gansu, Sichuan, and other regions in China. Next, let me introduce the cultivation methods for apple trees.
1. Potting Soil
If cultivating apple trees in pots, it is best to use earthenware pots; the soil should be loose, fertile, well-ventilated, and good at drainage, maintaining a pH value of around 6.5; a mixture of garden soil, coal slag, decomposed leaf soil, and sawdust can be used as the soil for cultivating apple trees. Before potting, the roots of the seedlings should be pruned, removing rotten and overly long roots.
2. Light
Apple trees need a lot of light for photosynthesis to accumulate nutrients and ensure the quality of the fruit; they require 180 frost-free days during the growing season, as well as as much light and heat as possible.
3. Temperature
Apples have a strong adaptability to the climate, growing best in temperate regions, with an optimal temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius; apple trees are cold-resistant but not frost-resistant, able to survive in temperatures as low as -4 degrees Celsius, but low temperatures and frost can affect the yield and quality of apples. Therefore, measures should be taken to keep them warm in winter.
4. Fertilization
Fertilization is mainly divided into two stages. In the spring, when the trees are budding, liquid nitrogen-based fertilizers should be applied to promote sprouting; during the flowering period, borax solution should be sprayed, and fertilization paused until the end of flowering, when phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be used instead of nitrogen fertilizers to supplement the plant's nutrition and ensure the tree's growth the following year. After fruiting in autumn, the soil should be changed, adding new nutrient-rich soil to the potting mix to prevent soil compaction and malnutrition.
5. Watering
Watering should follow the "moisture when dry, water when wet" principle, not watering when dry, and watering thoroughly when done, keeping the soil in a moist state, especially during the early fruiting stage, as insufficient water can affect the quantity and quality of the fruit. During the plum rain season, watering should be reduced, focusing on drainage and avoiding rain to prevent waterlogging and affecting fruit setting.
6. Pruning
Pruning methods vary by apple tree variety and mainly include steps such as pruning buds, thinning blossoms, and repeat pruning. At the end of March or beginning of April, make an incision in front of the central main branch and remove buds from other branches; thinning blossoms involves removing excess flower buds from the same branch in late April to achieve the "flower determines fruit" effect; repeat pruning means that for non-fruiting trees, winter pruning can be delayed until after germination, and if there are too many flowering branches during the fruiting period, they should be reduced.
7. Bagging
During the fruiting period of apple trees, bagging should be performed to make the apples more colorful and protect against pests. The choice of bags is very important, selecting bags that are breathable, non-leakage, and have good light-blocking properties, with the inner bags not fading and having air holes. Careful selection of standard bags is necessary during cultivation.
8. Diseases and Pests
Brown spot and spot leaf blight are the most common diseases in apple trees. Brown spot usually occurs before the rainy season and can be controlled by spraying with chemicals such as thiram, carbendazim, and thiabendazole; for spot leaf blight, mancozeb can be used for control. It is also important to clean the orchard and remove diseased branches and leaves promptly to prevent the infection of other fruit trees.
The detailed explanation of the key points of apple tree cultivation techniques and planting methods shared in this article is for reference and suggestion only!