How to prune citrus seedlings?

Shaping and pruning of citrus is essential to increase yield and facilitate management. A good tree shape contributes to early and abundant yields and easy management, while an unfavorable tree shape may lead to low yields and complicated management. Although shaping and pruning may seem a bit complicated for citrus growers who are new to the business, as long as you master the basic techniques, you can easily handle it. So how do you prune citrus seedlings?

1. Cultivate the backbone

The main branches of young citrus trees should be kept 20-30 cm long. When the young trees grow summer shoots, cut them off 30-40 cm from the ground to encourage the sprouting of new branches. When 3-5 summer shoots sprout, pinch these branches to promote the sprouting of autumn shoots, which will become secondary branches. In central and southern China or the north, 3-5 autumn shoots usually sprout, while in the south, late summer shoots and autumn shoots will become the main branches of citrus in the future.

2. Cultivate the main branches

1. Topping, short

After each summer or autumn shoot sprouts, pinch off the top in time, and prune back in winter, leaving about 10 leaves. Doing so can promote the occurrence of double-branched branches and prevent excess branches from becoming weak branches. If pinching and pruning are not performed, the main branches may grow too long and soft, and easily break or droop and overlap after fruiting, causing leaves and fruits to fall. After 2-3 years of cultivation, 12-20 secondary main branches can be formed. If the last section of autumn shoots is not pinched or pruned one year before fruiting, they can be cut back after fruiting.

2. Pull branches

Before the spring shoots sprout but mature, the branches of the young trees are pulled apart so that the angle of the main branches remains at 50-60 degrees to form a larger crown and lay the foundation for a high yield.

3. Remove the buds

After pulling the branches, the spring shoots at the top of the crown will grow into summer shoots, forming a crown that is strong at the top and weak at the bottom. Therefore, the sprouting summer shoots should be removed first, and a layer should be applied every 3-4 days. After continuous bud removal, when the lower spring shoots sprout summer shoots and branches out, remove the top buds again to allow them to grow evenly around and form a balanced main branch.

4. Thinning shoots

Citrus trees are prone to growing top branches, which need to be pruned in time. When thinning out the shoots, generally retain the strong branches, remove the upright shoots with small branching angles, and select the shoots with open angles, so that the branches and shoots grow at an angle, the crown is open, and the distribution is moderate, which is conducive to fruiting and crown cultivation.

The above are the basic methods for pruning young citrus trees. I hope it will be helpful to you. If you want to know more relevant knowledge, you can leave a message.