Apple tree planting and management technology in May

In early May, apple trees in northern China generally enter the young fruit stage, and management during this critical stage is extremely important. During this period, the purpose of management work is to ensure that the apple trees can grow in a good environment and produce better quality fruits. Let’s learn about apple tree planting and management techniques in May.

1. Fruit preservation measures

(1) By spraying growth regulators, any damaged tissues can be repaired and the tree's recovery can be accelerated.

(2) Prioritize protecting young fruit that have already established, including young fruit formed in the late stage and fruit formed on axillary flower buds.

2. Pulling branches and opening angles

(1) In order to prevent trees from growing too tall, especially for trees with insufficient load capacity, in addition to continuing to pull branches of fruit trees with smaller branching angles, it is also necessary to combine various summer pruning techniques such as thinning branches, removing buds, girdling, twisting branches, and pressing branches.

(2) According to the planting density and the selected tree shape, the main branches and auxiliary branches on the central trunk should be pulled to a horizontal or drooping state, especially the thick and upright branches, which need to be pulled to a greater extent to droop in order to reduce their growth potential.

(3) When pulling branches, the strength of the pulling should be adjusted according to the growth potential of the branches to avoid forming a fan-shaped structure on the same horizontal plane.

3. Control the growth of new branches and promote flowering

(1) Bud removal and branch thinning: timely remove useless dense buds and branches to reduce ineffective consumption of nutrients. The objects of thinning include overly thick main branches, diseased and weak branches, overly dense or crossed branches, etc., in order to improve light conditions and tree vigor.

(2) Twisting the shoots: When the new shoots are semi-lignified (about 15-20 cm long), twist them 180° below the base to make them grow downward.

(3) Branch pressing: For new shoots 15-20 cm long, use your thumb to press them down from the base to prevent the branches from breaking due to upright growth.

(4) Pinching: Pinch off the tender tips of new shoots to control excessive growth and promote branch formation and flowering. Continuously pinching the top 3 to 4 times is beneficial to cultivating a good branch structure.

(5) Plucking: When the new shoots reach 40-60 cm in length, the pruning technique is used to slightly damage the xylem without affecting the bark, so as to control the elongation of the branches and promote flowering.

(6) Branch rotation: By rotating specific parts of annual or perennial branches, their growth direction is changed and artificial damage is caused, thereby regulating nutrient transport and promoting branch flowering.

In summary, these are the key points for apple tree management in May. Through the above-mentioned comprehensive management measures, the growth and fruiting of apple trees can be effectively balanced, and the fruit quality and yield can be improved.