Fruit growers in Jilin, take note! Spring orchard management is crucial as it directly determines this year's harvest. The level of pests and diseases, tree vigor, fruit yield, and sweetness all depend on these operations. The Jilin Fruit and Vegetable Industry Technology System has provided comprehensive management techniques for apples, plums, pears, greenhouse grapes, and blueberries, tailored to Jilin's spring climate projections for 2026. These practical guidelines are easy to follow and will lead to high yields and superior quality.
First, focus on the weather forecast. Early preparation this spring will help avoid pitfalls. Key characteristics of Jilin's spring (March to May) include an early warm-up, fluctuating temperatures, potential drought and frequent strong winds from April to May. Significant rainfall and the final frost are expected earlier than usual (mid to late April). Fortunately, excellent soil moisture before last winter's freeze has provided a solid foundation for fruit trees. The core principle is to prevent drought, withstand strong winds, and avoid damage from late spring cold spells. Aligning management practices with the climate is essential.
For apples, plums, and pears, five core steps are vital, with preventing rot diseases being a priority. Management for these three tree types is quite similar. Completing tasks before bud break will save significant effort later.
1. Pruning: Shape young trees' structure. For mature trees, assess growth vigor—perform more short cuts on weak trees and more long cuts on vigorous ones. Remove overcrowded, crossing, and diseased branches to ensure good air circulation and light penetration. 2. Orchard Cleanup: Remove all pruned branches, weeds, and fallen leaves from the orchard and burn them to eliminate potential sources of pests and diseases. 3. Spraying: Around mid-April in the Gongzhuling area (similar timing for apples and pears), and before plum flower buds swell, spray the entire orchard, including trees and row spaces, with a 3-5 Baumé lime sulfur mixture. This step can reduce annual pest and disease incidence by up to 80%. 4. Rot Disease Prevention: Inspect each tree thoroughly. Completely scrape off any diseased bark and dispose of it properly. Apply disinfectants like thiophanate-methyl to the wounds. Combining this task with pruning is more efficient. 5. Topdressing and Watering: Apply calcium ammonium nitrate in early to mid-April (3 kg per 100 kg of expected fruit harvest). Water immediately after application. This not only enhances fertilizer efficiency but can also delay flowering, which is highly effective for protecting against late spring frosts.
For greenhouse grapes, temperature control is critical. Thinning buds and protecting flowers must be done precisely, step by step. Management focuses on regulating temperature and humidity, as mistakes can directly affect bud break and fruit set. Follow these stages carefully.
Mid-March (Pre-Budbreak): Increase temperature gradually. Start with daytime temperatures of 15-18°C and nighttime 5-8°C for 3-5 days, then slowly raise to 20-25°C daytime and 10-12°C nighttime. Apply 20-30 kg of compound fertilizer per mu. If dry, water thoroughly to promote bud break (water on sunny mornings to prevent root damage from low temperatures). Ventilate promptly after watering to reduce humidity.
Late March to Early April (Budbreak Period): Regulate temperature and humidity, removing weak buds and keeping strong ones. Maintain 22-25°C daytime and 12-15°C nighttime. Use straw mats or heating equipment promptly on cold days. When buds have 1-2 leaves, retain 2-3 strong buds per fruiting cane. When new shoots reach 10-15 cm, finalize the number of shoots to 2,500-3,500 per mu, avoiding overcrowding.
Mid-April to Early May (Pre-Bloom): Perform pinching and tying of shoots to protect flowers and prevent pests/diseases. Remove lateral shoots and pinch tips: retain 6-8 leaves above the flower cluster on fruiting shoots and 8-10 leaves on vegetative shoots. Tie shoots promptly to prevent crowding. To protect flowers: Reduce watering 10-15 days before bloom. Apply monoammonium phosphate (10-15 kg/mu) with a small amount of boron fertilizer. Foliar spray with 0.2% borax and 0.3% monoammonium phosphate to significantly improve fruit set. For disease/pest prevention: Focus on gray mold, anthracnose, and thrips. Enhance ventilation to reduce humidity and apply preventive measures before issues arise.
For blueberries, the top priority is the timely removal of winter protection soil and diligent watering/fertilization. Blueberries are delicate; spring management centers on uncovering and hydration. A misstep can cause flower buds to wither.
1. Remove Winter Protection Soil: Timing is crucial—not too early or late. Early removal risks low soil temperature and strong winds causing bud desiccation and frost damage. Late removal can lead to buds sprouting weakly under the soil, unable to withstand sun exposure after uncovering. Water thoroughly immediately after removal to promote green-up and strong shoot growth. 2. Watering: Do not allow drought from bud break to flowering. Provide 25 mm of water per week from bud break to leaf fall. Increase to 40 mm per week from fruit set to harvest. Water shortage directly impacts yield. 3. Fertilization: Apply fertilizer during watering. Use sulfate-based NPK complete fertilizers. A slightly higher nitrogen ratio can promote steadier absorption. 4. Pruning: Prune immediately after removing winter protection. Remove weak and diseased branches to concentrate nutrients on strong shoots.
Final crucial reminder: Complete all management tasks early rather than late. Base actions on climate conditions and tree vigor, avoiding blind operations. By following this guide customized by Jilin's agricultural technical system, your orchard will experience fewer pests/diseases, stronger tree health, higher yields, and better fruit quality, ultimately commanding better market prices.
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