Key Management Practices for Plum Trees in June
1. Fertilization
Timely application of post-flowering fertilizers is crucial during June to reduce fruit drop and increase fruit setting. Choose quick-acting nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. You can also add some trace elements during pest and disease control spraying to enhance plant absorption. Use foliar fertilizers such as seaweed extract, soluble fertilizer, or concentrated plant nutrient solution.
2. Proper Irrigation
Watering in June can be combined with fertilization. Use diluted fertilizer water for irrigation. Focus on drainage because June is the plum rain season. Ensure timely drainage in low-lying orchards to prevent waterlogging and improve root growth conditions.
3. Pruning
Pruning mainly involves topping, thinning branches, and twisting shoots to ensure proper ventilation, reduce nutrient consumption, balance tree vigor, and promote flower and fruit development. Summer pruning should follow the principle of cutting but not sawing, with pruning volume about one-third of winter pruning.
4. Thinning and Fruit Setting
Fruit thinning should ideally be completed within one week after flowering. Remove diseased, insect-infested, and malformed fruits first, leaving high-quality large fruits at intervals of 5-10 centimeters according to different varieties. Then, adjust fruit setting approximately in a ratio of 18:1 between leaves and fruits. Wear gloves during thinning to avoid damaging the fruit and reducing marketability.
5. Sunburn Prevention
Before the onset of high temperatures in June, bag fruits exposed to the west and south sides to prevent sunburn. Alternatively, maintaining or planting grass in the orchard can regulate the microclimate and prevent fruit sunburn.
6. Pest and Disease Control
June's high temperatures and heavy rainfall can induce various diseases and pests such as gummosis, bacterial canker, and brown rot in plum trees. For diseases, use fungicides like methyl thiophanate, carbendazim, propiconazole, or pyraclostrobin. For pests like plum curculio, red spider mites, aphids, and peach twig borers, use insecticides like cypermethrin, deltamethrin, acetamiprid, or abamectin.
This concludes all the key management practices for plum trees in June. In summary, proper management during June is crucial as it directly affects the later yield and profitability of plum trees. Therefore, each management task must be taken seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the key management practices for plum trees in June?
The key management practices for plum trees in June include timely fertilization, proper irrigation, pruning, thinning and fruit setting, sunburn prevention, and pest and disease control.
2. How should I fertilize my plum trees in June?
In June, apply post-flowering fertilizers containing quick-acting nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to reduce fruit drop and enhance fruit setting. You can also include trace elements during pest and disease control spraying.
3. When is the best time to thin and set fruits on plum trees?
Fruit thinning should ideally be completed within one week after flowering. Remove diseased, insect-infested, and malformed fruits, leaving high-quality large fruits at intervals of 5-10 centimeters according to different varieties. Adjust fruit setting approximately in a ratio of 18:1 between leaves and fruits.
4. How can I prevent sunburn on plum fruits?
Before the onset of high temperatures in June, bag fruits exposed to the west and south sides to prevent sunburn. Alternatively, maintaining or planting grass in the orchard can regulate the microclimate and prevent fruit sunburn.
5. What pest and disease control measures should I take for plum trees in June?
In June, monitor plum trees for diseases such as gummosis, bacterial canker, and brown rot. Apply fungicides like methyl thiophanate, carbendazim, propiconazole, or pyraclostrobin. For pests like plum curculio, red spider mites, aphids, and peach twig borers, use insecticides like cypermethrin, deltamethrin, acetamiprid, or abamectin.
6. Why is proper management important for plum trees in June?
Proper management during June is crucial as it directly affects the later yield and profitability of plum trees. Each management task, including fertilization, irrigation, pruning, fruit thinning, sunburn prevention, and pest and disease control, must be taken seriously to ensure optimal growth and productivity.
