How to top loquat seedlings?

Now is the season for loquats , which are a very popular fruit with a relatively high price and good planting benefits. However, when it comes to loquat planting, many people are not clear about how to top the loquat seedlings ? Let’s learn more about it below.

How to top loquat seedlings?

Loquat seedlings are topped around September or October. Topping at this time has little impact on the loquat tree and can promote later growth. When topping, first thin out the branches that grow too densely, remove some crossed branches and overlapping branches, twist and ring the branches, and flatten the side branches growing from the main trunk, which can promote the differentiation of flower buds. In addition, loquat seedlings can be toppled after the grafting is successful, 20 cm above the grafting point to facilitate more branches. You don't have to do it, and you can do the topping at a later stage.

Management of loquat seedlings

1. Fertilization

Loquat seedlings (1 to 3 years old) should be fertilized with fertilizers in small amounts but frequently. After the plants are planted and the sprouts grow to about 5 cm, the first fertilizer can be applied, mainly quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, accelerated-acting phosphorus fertilizer and clear manure. Once every 15 days, apply 5-10 grams of urea and 5 grams of superphosphate per plant, mixed with 3-5 kilograms of clean water and manure. After September, fertilize once a month with a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Apply 10 grams of urea, 10 grams of superphosphate and 10 grams of potassium sulfate per plant each time, in appropriate concentrations.

2. Watering

Fertilization of loquat seedlings should be combined with flood prevention and drought resistance. Watering should be done in time when the weather is dry, and drainage should be done in time after heavy rain.

3. Temperature

Loquat seedlings are slightly cold-resistant, but not severely cold-resistant, and grow slowly. They can grow well in areas where the average temperature is above 12-15 degrees Celsius, not lower than -5 degrees Celsius in winter, and not lower than 0 degrees Celsius during the flowering and young fruiting periods.

4. Pest and disease control

The main diseases of loquat seedlings are anthracnose, gray spot, etc., and the main insect pests are underground pests such as cutworms, so attention should be paid to timely prevention and control.

5. Dwarfing management

The dwarfing crown of loquat seedlings mainly includes changing the main trunk shape, layered shape and other dwarfing tree shapes, and adopting measures such as branch pulling and pruning to suppress apical dominance and promote the lateral growth of the crown. Pruning of loquat trees is generally carried out in late September and ends at the end of October.

That’s it