When and how to prune citrus trees

Citrus trees are planted in a large area in China. In order to increase the yield and variety of citrus, we must pay attention to pruning during the planting process. Below, the editor will introduce the time and method of pruning citrus trees. Let’s take a look.

1. Pruning time

1. Spring pruning: Generally carried out from late February to early March, the purpose is to increase the light intensity inside the crown, improve the photosynthesis efficiency of the tree, and stimulate the differentiation of flower buds.

2. Summer pruning: It should be carried out about 8-10 days before the autumn shoots are released, usually from early July to mid-August. Summer pruning helps activate the tree's physiological functions and promotes the growth of strong autumn shoots.

3. Winter pruning: It is carried out after the fruit is harvested and the tree recovers, usually from October to November. Winter pruning helps stimulate the plant to grow new branches and leaves, which is beneficial to the differentiation and growth of flower buds.

2. Pruning method

1. Shorten

Shortening means cutting off the tip of annual branches and retaining a section at the base. The purpose of pruning is to promote branching and stimulate the sprouting of 2-3 buds below the cut, which is beneficial to the nutritional growth of the tree. The degree of pruning can be divided into light pruning, moderate pruning and severe pruning. The specific degree of pruning should be determined according to the tree vigor and pruning purpose.

2. Thinning

Thinning is the process of cutting off all branches from the base. It is mainly used to cut off excess dense branches, weak branches, clumped branches, and overgrown branches. Thinning helps improve light and nutrient distribution within the crown, regulate the contradiction between crown growth and fruiting, make fruit trees grow strong, and promote flowering and fruiting.

3. Retraction

Pruning is the process of cutting off the tips of perennial branches. It is often used to renew large branches in the crown or compress the crown to prevent cross-closure. The heavier the cutback, the stronger the germination and growth of the cut branches, and the better the renewal and rejuvenation effect. By retracting the tree, the goal of improving the lighting inside the crown and enhancing the tree's vigor can be achieved.

4. Picking

Pinching is to remove the tip of the new shoot before it stops growing, retaining the required length. Pinching can limit the elongation growth of new shoots, promote thickening growth, and make the branch tissue develop fully. The new shoots after pinching also have apical dominance at the tip, which can produce strong branches and reduce the height of the branches. The timing of pinching should be based on the different growth periods of the fruit trees to achieve the best pruning effect.

5. Remove the buds

Bud removal is the process of removing the new buds when they grow to 1-3 cm long. Removing buds can save nutrients, help branches grow neatly, and facilitate disease and pest control. Since citrus has multiple buds, removing the sporadic main buds can stimulate the germination of secondary buds and other nearby buds, and produce more new shoots.

The above is an introduction to the time and method of pruning citrus trees. Proper pruning can make citrus trees grow better and last longer. Growers must master the time and method of pruning to avoid losses.