Key points for apple tree management in November

Apple orchard management is not only critical in the spring, but also in the fall. In November, after the apples are harvested, the apple trees begin to enter the leaf-falling period. At this time, we should take advantage of the suitable temperature and sufficient soil moisture, and focus on management work such as autumn fertilization, timely irrigation, trunk protection, and disease and pest control. Let’s learn together the key points of apple tree management techniques in November.

1. Autumn fertilization and deep tillage of orchards

Autumn fertilization is a core part of apple tree management. If you only fertilize once a year, then it is in the fall. If you plan to fertilize multiple times a year, autumn fertilization should account for 70% of the annual fertilization. Autumn fertilization, also known as "confinement fertilizer", is crucial to the cultivation of fruit trees. It is the basis of scientific management and the key to improving the quality and benefits of fruit trees. Fertilizing in autumn is most effective, followed by winter, and less effective in spring. When applying fertilizer, we need to pay attention to the eight principles of "early, complete, sufficient, deep, uniform, mature, skillful and thorough".

Fertilization should be applied earlier than later;

Mainly high-quality biological organic fertilizer or fully decomposed farmyard manure, supplemented by nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, bacterial fertilizers and medium and trace element fertilizers;

The amount of fertilizer applied should match the fruit yield;

Digging trenches between fruit tree rows and under the treetops to apply fertilizer, deep application can promote the downward growth of roots, improve root vitality and absorption capacity, and enhance the fruit trees' resistance to cold, drought and wind;

Mix all kinds of fertilizers thoroughly with the soil before applying;

Farmyard manure such as chicken manure and pig manure need to be fully fermented and decomposed;

Flexibly adjust the amount of fertilizer according to tree vigor, tree age and soil pH;

-After fertilizing, water thoroughly to promote the conversion of nutrients in the fertilizer into ionic state, which is convenient for the fruit tree roots to absorb.

Combined with autumn fertilization, deep plowing of the orchard can increase the active soil layer, improve ventilation conditions, increase microbial activity, promote new root growth, and facilitate the absorption of nutrients and water. The depth of soil turning should gradually increase from the root neck of the tree trunk outward, about 20 cm at the bottom of the crown and deepening to 30 to 50 cm on the periphery. When deep plowing, if you encounter the main root and thick lateral roots, you can cut off the root system outside the crown to promote the growth of new roots. At the same time, deep plowing can eliminate overwintering pests.

2. Antifreeze protection

It is particularly important for fruit trees to overwinter safely, especially young and dwarf trees.

1. Spray antifreeze. According to the local climate characteristics, spray antifreeze or urea in time, and the concentration should be gradually increased from 2% to 5%.

2. Irrigate with antifreeze water during the freezing period to improve the ability of fruit trees to resist severe cold and at the same time meet the water needs for growth and development in spring.

3. Cultivate cold-proof soil. Before the soil freezes, cultivate the soil for young trees to protect them from the cold, and ensure that the dwarfing rootstock part is completely buried in the soil.

4. Whitewash the tree trunks. After watering the apple trees with anti-freezing water and before the soil freezes, prepare a whitewash agent and apply it to the tree trunks to reduce sunburn and frost damage and eliminate overwintering pests. The preparation ratio of whitewash agent is: 1 part copper sulfate + 3 parts quicklime + 0.5 parts vegetable oil + 20 parts water. In areas where there are many wild rabbits, 0.5 parts of animal blood can be added to repel wild rabbits.

3. Pest and disease control

1. Pest control

After the apples are harvested, leaf miners, mites, leaf rollers, etc. overwinter in the cracks of branches and rough bark. After the fruits are harvested, diseased and insect-infested branches are cut off, the rough bark of the tree trunks is scraped off, and bundles of grass are used to attract overwintering pests and then burned in a concentrated area to reduce the base number of pests in the next year. Apple aphids, peach borer, beetles , etc. hibernate in the soil in autumn. Combined with autumn fertilization, deep plowing of the tree pits can turn diseased leaves, residual fruits, weeds and overwintering pests deep into the soil, preventing them from emerging to cause harm the next year. At the same time, the overwintering pests in the soil should be turned out to the ground and frozen to death.

2. Disease prevention and control

Apple branch diseases mainly include ring rot, rot, stem rot, etc., which mainly occur in adult fruit-bearing trees, but also in young fruit-bearing trees with poor management measures. It is recommended to apply a garden cleaning agent, including insecticides, fungicides and foliar fertilizers , before the apple leaves fall.

The above are the key points for managing apple trees in November. At this time, many apple trees have been harvested and the local temperature has begun to drop. Fruit farmers should consider safe wintering and disease and pest control in the coming year.