The weather in June is getting hotter, and this month will also see the arrival of two solar terms: Mangzhong and Xia Zhi. For citrus fruit trees, most orchards are in the period of summer shoot growth and fruit expansion. Let's learn about a citrus orchard management plan for June together.
Key Points for June Citrus Management:
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Control of Summer Shoots: Proper use of shoot control agents to avoid phytotoxicity. Additionally, some late summer shoots can be cultivated as mother branches under the canopy.
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Management of Young Trees: For young trees with immature new shoots, it is important to promote vigorous shoot growth this month to facilitate early maturity and timely pruning.
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Fruit Thinning Management: Continue shoot control to avoid excessive summer shoot growth, which can lead to nutrient diversion and fruit drop. However, not all summer shoots need to be removed entirely; weak single shoots can be retained and topped based on tree vigor and fruit load. After citrus fruit sets, it is recommended to combine ditch fertilization with topdressing.
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Sunburn Prevention: Focus on fruit-bearing trees. With rising temperatures and intense sunlight in many areas starting from June, timely watering and spraying to increase soil moisture and air humidity are essential to ensure adequate water supply. Paste small pieces of white paper or use shading nets on fruit-facing surfaces or sunburn-prone areas.
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Water and Fertilizer Management: For fruit-bearing trees, water promptly to prevent prolonged drought in the orchard, which can lead to issues like fruit drop and fruit cracking when rain occurs after a prolonged dry spell. Ensure proper drainage in waterlogged orchards and apply fruit-strengthening fertilizer in late June to promote fruit expansion.
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Pest and Disease Control: Common diseases and pests include anthracnose, citrus scab, yellow spot disease, ulcer disease, citrus psyllids, rust mites, longhorn beetles, armored scales, red spider mites, and citrus leaf miners. Anthracnose can also cause fruit drop. Chemical agents such as mifenthrin, benomyl, and mancozeb can be used. Copper hydroxide and copper sulfate calcium can be used to control ulcer disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Citrus Orchard Management in June
1. What are the key tasks for citrus orchard management in June?
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Key tasks include controlling summer shoots, managing young trees, fruit thinning, sunburn prevention, water and fertilizer management, and pest and disease control.
2. How should I control summer shoots in my citrus orchard?
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Use shoot control agents carefully to avoid phytotoxicity. Consider cultivating some late summer shoots as mother branches under the canopy.
3. What measures should be taken for managing young citrus trees in June?
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Focus on promoting vigorous shoot growth to facilitate early maturity and timely pruning for young trees with immature new shoots.
4. How can I effectively thin the fruit in my citrus orchard?
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Continuously control shoot growth to prevent excessive summer shoots, which can lead to nutrient diversion and fruit drop. Retain some weak single shoots and top them based on tree vigor and fruit load.
5. What steps can I take to prevent sunburn on citrus fruits?
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With rising temperatures and intense sunlight in June, ensure timely watering and spraying to increase soil moisture and air humidity. Additionally, consider using shading nets or pasting small pieces of white paper on fruit-facing surfaces or sunburn-prone areas.
6. How should I manage water and fertilizer for citrus trees in June?
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Water promptly to prevent prolonged drought, which can lead to issues like fruit drop and fruit cracking. Ensure proper drainage in waterlogged orchards and apply fruit-strengthening fertilizer in late June to promote fruit expansion.
7. What are the common pests and diseases affecting citrus orchards in June?
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Common pests and diseases include anthracnose, citrus scab, yellow spot disease, ulcer disease, citrus psyllids, rust mites, longhorn beetles, armored scales, red spider mites, and citrus leaf miners. Anthracnose can also cause fruit drop. Various chemical agents can be used for control, such as mifenthrin, benomyl, mancozeb, copper hydroxide, and copper sulfate calcium.
8. How can I prevent fruit drop caused by diseases such as anthracnose?
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Regularly inspect trees for signs of diseases and pests, and promptly apply appropriate chemical agents according to recommended guidelines. Maintaining overall orchard health and hygiene is also crucial in preventing fruit drop due to diseases like anthracnose.
