Pruning time and pruning method of grapefruit trees (the best time and technology for grapefruit pruning)

When is the best time to prune a grapefruit tree?

In places with frost, young trees are mainly pruned during the growing season, supplemented by winter. Winter pruning is done from the time the fruit is harvested to half a month before the spring buds sprout , usually from mid-to-late December to mid-January. Summer pruning is usually done 15-20 days before the autumn shoots are released from late July to early August .

Of course, the pruning techniques and methods of grapefruit trees are different at different stages. Let's take a closer look at how to prune grapefruit branches most appropriately.

Grapefruit tree pruning techniques

How to prune young grapefruit trees

After planting the grapefruit tree seedlings, cut the trunk 30-40 cm above the grafting point. After it shoots out, select 3-4 new shoots that are strong, evenly distributed, and have a certain distance between them as the main branches, and remove the rest .

When the top of each main branch continues to extend to about 40 cm, pinch off the top in time . Select a position on each main branch and select 2-3 appropriate strong branches as secondary main branches .

The main trunk and secondary branches should be kept at an appropriate distance so that the side branches can receive sufficient light. The branches that cross, overlap, disrupt the tree shape, and the branches and buds in the wrong position on the main trunk and main branches should be removed regularly .

Key points of pruning techniques for grapefruit fruit trees

Grapefruit trees usually only produce spring shoots, with few summer and autumn shoots, and have strong inner bore fruiting ability. Therefore, it is better to prune early fruiting trees lightly rather than heavily . Generally , only the overgrown branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, dead branches, and overly dense and weak branches that are out of place are removed , leaving more inner bore branches and not shortening the fruiting mother branches.

The crown of an adult pomelo tree has been formed, and the main targets of pruning are the side branches on the main branches and the various branches growing on them, with the aim of regulating the balance between growth and fruiting.

The principle of pruning grapefruit trees in the fruit-bearing stage is to thin out strong trees with heavy pruning and less short pruning, remove dense branches, upright branch groups and side branches, and retain drooping branches and weak branches to facilitate flowering and fruiting.

Key points for pruning aging grapefruit trees

Weak grapefruit trees mostly bear fruit on strong branches, so it is necessary to remove the weak and keep the strong, and keep more branches with leaves and fruits . Generally, it is best to do so before the spring shoots sprout or after they stop growing and before the summer shoots appear in May or June.

Old trees should be renewed by exposed branches. The main branches and secondary branches should be retained during renewal. All 3-4 year old side branches on the crown should be cut off, and no leaves should be left on the crown to promote the development of strong shoots.

After buds sprout and shoots emerge, remove the buds and control the shoots. A new crown will be formed within 1-2 years and fruiting will resume.

As for the declining branches where some branches still have the ability to bear fruit, you can use the rotation renewal method, renewing a part of them every year, and the whole tree will be renewed in 2-3 years .