To ensure optimal growth and fruit production in citrus trees, it's essential to manage fertilization, pruning, and pest control effectively during the spring season. Here’s a detailed guide:
1. **Timely Fertilization for Shoot and Bud Development**
(1) Apply bud fertilizer early to support new shoot and bud growth. Since most citrus varieties are currently in the budding stage, it's crucial to provide nutrients as soon as possible. The amount of fertilizer should be adjusted based on tree vigor—weak trees require more, while vigorous ones need less. A typical application for mature trees is 2–3 kg of urea and 3–5 kg of compound fertilizer per tree.
(2) During the budding phase, apply foliar fertilizer 2–3 times before flowering and 1–2 times after. Suitable options include 0.4% urea + 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 1000 times Greenway Fenwei, 500 times Higher Meishi, or Shi Fengle (1g per 50kg water). These help improve flower quality and overall plant health.
(3) In rainy weather, especially for Shatian pomelo, artificial pollination is recommended. If the number of flowers is low or the weather is unfavorable, manual pollination can significantly increase fruit set and yield.
(4) Use "Xie Hua Fei" (flower thinning agent) to enhance fruit setting. Apply 10–25 kg of biogas or manure, or 0.5–1.5 kg of compound fertilizer per tree, depending on the size of the canopy and the number of flowers.
2. **Proper Spring Pruning to Reduce Nutritional Conflict**
Spring pruning should begin from the time buds appear and continue until mid-April. This helps balance the tree’s energy between shoots and flowers.
(1) Remove dense branches, over-crowded branches without flowers, and those near young fruits.
(2) Trim some of the new spring shoots to reduce competition. For example, Wenzhou Tanggan should have the top of the canopy and peripheral shoots removed. For pummelo, remove up to half of the upper vegetative shoots. On the same branch, retain 1–2 non-flowering shoots but pinch off their tips. Flowering shoots should not be pruned unless necessary.
3. **Hormone Application for Fruit Setting**
During flowering and before the second physiological fruit drop, apply "920" (gibberellin) at 30–50ppm for mandarin orange, pomelo, and orange. Do not exceed two applications. For pomelo, use 100–200ppm on the stem to improve fruit retention.
4. **Pest and Disease Management**
(1) Remove any trees infected with Huanglongbing (citrus greening).
(2) Monitor and control pests such as bud maggots, whiteflies, anthracnose, and scab.
- **Bud Maggot**: When buds turn from green to white, apply diazinon mixed with fine soil (1.25kg per 15kg soil) around the tree base to prevent adult emergence. Spray 90% trichlorfon (800x) or 2.5% deltamethrin (2500x) on the tree crown to kill adults. Remove damaged buds promptly.
- **Whitefly**: Monitor closely in mid-April. Apply insecticides like 10% Great Meritorious (2000x) or 25% Puropron (1000x) twice, with a 7-day interval.
- **Anthracnose and Scab**: Spray when new shoots reach 1–2cm. Use 0.3–0.5% Bordeaux mixture, 50% wettable powder (500x), 50% thiophanate WP (600–800x), or 65% zeocin (600x).
- **Citrus Spider Mites**: Monitor regularly and treat if infestation occurs to prevent damage.
By following these practices, you can significantly improve the health, productivity, and quality of your citrus crops. Always adjust based on local conditions and tree responses.
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