Introduction to Yangfeng Sweet Persimmon Planting Technology

Yangfeng sweet persimmon is a fresh-eating persimmon variety first introduced from Japan. The fruit can be picked and eaten as soon as it matures, without the need to de-astringe. It has a rich sweet flavor, and its flesh is hard and crispy, and is deeply loved by consumers. Here’s an introduction to Yangfeng sweet persimmon planting techniques.

1. Garden selection

Persimmon trees are best suited to calcareous soil, but are also suitable for slightly acidic or neutral soil. It is advisable to choose a place with a low groundwater level, fertile and loose soil, sheltered from the wind, facing the sun, and good drainage.

2. Seedling selection

Choose new varieties that have been identified by provincial or higher departments and are suitable for local planting and easy to promote. You can also choose varieties that have a long history of local cultivation and have good growth and sales. The survival rate of 1-2 year old grafted seedlings is higher. The seedlings should be above 1m in height, above 1.2cm in diameter at ground level, above 20cm in main root length, with above 15 lateral roots, and good, full, strong joints, and free from diseases and insect pests.

3. Planting of seedlings

Before planting, dig a large hole, add soil, and apply sufficient base fertilizer to create favorable conditions for root development. The planting density should be 4×5m, and the height, width and depth of the pit should be 1×0.8×0.6m. It is best to plant persimmon seedlings in spring when they begin to sprout to avoid frost damage. The three steps of picking up, transporting and planting should be done quickly.

4. Soil, fertilizer and water management

Persimmon trees are deep-rooted species and the hole should be enlarged, the soil improved and more fertilizer applied in order for the tree to grow strong and vigorous. When the pH value is too low, it should be improved. Persimmon trees are prone to root rot in acidic soil. When persimmon trees are put into production, the topsoil should be backfilled in winter. When expanding the holes, apply 11.5 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer or 50 kg of pig and cattle manure per plant, mix them with the topsoil and fill them into the lower layer. For high-yield trees, 2.5kg of pure P, 6.5kg of pure N, and 0.6kg of pure K should be applied per acre. This can be applied in multiple times, and the fertilizer concentration should not be too high. Watering is generally done before flowering, budding, wintering and swelling to keep the soil moist.

5. Plastic surgery

Winter pruning of persimmon trees is beneficial to high and stable yields of adult trees, early fruiting of young trees, and renewal and rejuvenation of aging trees. Winter pruning is generally carried out after leaf fall and before bud break in the following spring.

(1) Pruning of young trees

Select 3 to 4 suitable branches as the backbone branches. Generally, they are not pruned, and the weak and vigorous branches in the same direction nearby are thinned out. Nowadays, the natural open-heart shape with multiple main branches is generally adopted. When shaping the tree, temporarily retain the central trunk and cut off 1/2 to 1/3 each year to keep it in a happy state. Once the crown is formed, cut off the central trunk.

(2) Pruning of trees in their peak fruit-bearing period

① Adjust the angle of the main branches to balance the internal and external growth forces. Excessive large branches should be thinned out annually to promote the growth of inner branches, cultivate fruiting branch groups, support large branches to grow outward and upward, gradually replace the original branch heads, and raise the angle of the main branches.

②Combine thinning and shrinking to cultivate inner branches. Cut back branches that are too strong or too high to encourage new branches to form at the back, prevent the fruiting part from moving outward, and remove weak branches and keep strong ones. Fruiting branches are generally not pruned short. Instead, overgrown branches, densely growing branches, diseased and dead branches, and crossing branches are cut off to ensure a reasonable distribution of branches.

③Leave more reserve branches to overcome the uneven years. Every year, the fruiting branches or 1/3 of the fruiting mother branches should be pruned short as preparatory branches, so that they can bear fruit every other year and extend the fruiting period.

(3) Pruning of aging trees

Because the latent buds of persimmon trees have a long lifespan and strong germination ability, this feature can be used to carry out multiple renewals to keep the tree vigorous and extend the fruiting years.

6. Disease and pest control

(1) Clean the garden in winter to reduce the number of overwintering pests and diseases. In conjunction with winter pruning, diseased fruits, diseased stems, dead branches and fallen leaves should be thoroughly cleaned up to eliminate the sources of overwintering pests and diseases.

(2) Spray once before germination in spring with 5-degree lime sulfur mixture or 150 times diluted 95% motor oil emulsion.

(3) To control major pests such as persimmon scale, persimmon calyx borer, and ground scale, in addition to the above control measures, you can scrape off the old bark and apply 5 to 10 times the amount of oxydemeton-methyl around the tree, which has a significant effect. In addition, try to use biological pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis or carbendazim to control leaf-feeding pests.

That’s it