Fruit Cultivation Activities

 

1. Definition and Types of Fruit Trees

Definition of Fruit Tree

A fruit tree is a tree that is cultivated to harvest its fruit.

In the case of melons, watermelons etc., the harvested part is the fruit part, but the plant will wither in 1 year, so it is a "grass" which is included in the vegetable.

The fruit is also called "kajitsu" or "noodles" in Japanese.

Types of Fruit Trees

Deciduous fruit trees are trees whose leaves fall in winter.

For example apple trees, grapes, pears, peaches, persimmons, chestnuts etc.

Meanwhile, perennial evergreen fruit trees are leafy all year round.

For example unshiu orange tree, yuzu, loquat etc.

Why the cultivation of Fruit Trees?

Sweet and fragrant fruits make our diet more diverse.

Quality fruits can be sold at high prices, resulting in high income even though the land is not large.

2 Characteristics of Fruit Tree Cultivation

All Life Fruit Tree

When planting seedlings, raise the tree for several years and try to keep the tree from bearing fruit. If the tree has grown big, make the tree bear fruit and harvest the fruit.

After that, each year can harvest fruit for 20 to 40 years, depending on the type of fruit tree.

Fruit Tree Growth

Formation of Leaf buds and Flower buds

Within the bud of a fruit tree, there is a "leaf bud" that leaves leaves, and a "flower bud" where the flower blooms and bears fruit.

Depending on the type of fruit tree, the time when flower buds form varies.

In most fruit trees, flower buds are formed in the year before the flowers bloom and bear fruit.

In the formation of flower buds, there are 2 types. Peach and cherry blossoms will sprout on twigs that grew the previous year.

 While the shoots of apple blossoms, springs and grapes will come out on the branches that grow this year. As for unshiu oranges, there are both types.

The method of pruning twigs differs depending on the position of the flower buds.

Factors that help the process of flower bud differentiation

Reduces the fertilizer effect of nitrogen fertilizers.

Doesn't do a lot of pruning.

Avoid excessive fertilization.

Slightly reduces the water content in the soil.

Flower bud differentiation time

Many deciduous fruit trees undergo flower bud differentiation in June to August.

Grapes in late May, and unshiu oranges in October to December.

Flowering and Fertilization Stage

After the flowers bloom, and the pollen grains pollinate the stigma, fertilization will occur, then the fruit will begin to grow.

However, there are also fruit trees whose fruit grows without any pollination process, such as the unshiu orange.

Parthenocarpy is fruit growing without pollination process. Fruit trees that occur parthenocarpy are unshiu oranges, figs, Hiratanenashi persimmons etc.

Seedless grapes are produced by processing with gibberellins.

Fruit Growth and Ripening

The fruit will grow little by little and store the sugar content, so when the fruit is ripe, most fruits have a sweet taste.

Not only that, the fruit becomes soft because the cells undergo changes.

In the process of fruit growth, first the number of cells increases, then the size of the cells increases.

Fruit Tree Cultivation Environment

Air Temperature, Sun Illumination, Rainfall and Wind

For the growth of shoots (= branches that will elongate anew) and fruit requires the right air temperature, time of lighting and rainfall.

In addition, if blown by strong winds, the fruit can be damaged or fall, so it is necessary to protect it from the wind.

Pears planted on shelves are done with the aim of the fruit springs not being damaged or falling due to strong winds such as typhoons.

Nutrition

For the growth of fruit trees, a balanced nutrient is needed, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.

What is important is the timeliness of fertilizer application and the amount of fertilizer applied.

Land

In order for fruit trees to take root and absorb nutrients and water, proper soil management is required.

The important thing is the difficulty of the fertilizer to flow out, the ability to hold water, and the disposal of water.

3 Management of Fruit Tree Cultivation

Tree Management

Seedling Production and Growing

Fruit tree seedlings are usually made by connecting the scion with the rootstock.

The selection of rootstocks is carried out from varieties that are resistant to disease and can take root well.

The selection of scions is done from superior varieties, namely fruit trees that produce quality fruit. In stem grafting, there are branch grafting and shoot grafting.

Branch grafting is connecting the twigs to the rootstock.

In the method of splicing twigs, there is a method of splicing by cutting,

the method of splicing the gap, and the method of joining the side.

Shoot grafting is the process of connecting shoots to stems

Wow.

In the shoot grafting method, there is a T-shaped grafting method and a shoot grafting method by grinding.

In the production of tree seedlings, there are methods of vegetative propagation (including stem grafting) and methods of propagation from seeds.

Seedlings that develop from seeds are seedling seeds (mishonae).

Propagation from seed is done when you want to grow rootstock or grow new varieties.

Good tree seedlings have small roots that extend well, and are not attacked by disease or pests.

The stems used as scions are those that are not attacked by diseases or pests

Purpose of connecting rods

Multiply individuals of the same variety or type.

Advancing the start of fertilization.

Varieties are updated in the short term with top grafting.

With rootstock that has resistance, reduces damage by diseases and pests.

Fireplace and Trimming

Fireplace is the process of tidying up the shape of a tree by cutting and tying branches etc.

Pruning is the process of cutting branches.

The goal is to allow the tree to flower well and harvest fruit stably, and also to make work easier.

Depending on the level of cutting the twig, it is divided into heavy pruning and light pruning.

Heavy pruning promotes vegetative growth. Meanwhile, light pruning encourages generative growth, by suppressing vegetative growth.

In the case of fruit trees, there are forms (tree shapes) that are unique according to each type and variety.

Main stem type is applied for dwarf cultivation in apple, peach etc., anomalous main stem type for apple, persimmon etc., open center type for peach etc., shelf method is used for grape, Japanese spring etc.

In the grate, be careful not to form "swivel-wheel twigs," i.e. several main branches protruding from one main stem point.

Binding

For Japanese pears, grapes etc. it is necessary to carry out the binding process, to regulate the direction of elongation of young twigs.

Infertile Management

There is a process as follows, from the stage before the flowers bloom to harvesting.

i Shoot Pruning and Flower Pruning

With the aim of growing quality fruit and improving flowering conditions the following year, pruned off excess shoots and flowers.

ii Pollination

When flowering, attaching flower pollen to the stigma through the process of artificial pollination.

For this, there are times when using insects such as beetles.

To make the fertilization process better, first plant a pollinizer tree, which is a tree of different varieties.

Pruning is mainly done in winter, ie "winter pruning". "Summer pruning" is done in addition.

In pruning, there are 2 types of pruning: "middle pruning" and pruning

"pruning for thinning".

iii Fruit Pruning

With the aim of harvesting quality fruit and improving flowering conditions the following year, pruned off excess young fruit.

"Mid-trunking pruning" encourages the growth of new branches by cutting off long branches.

"Pruning for thinning" is done to cut branches that are not needed by leaving the necessary branches, so that air can enter and get good sunlight.

iv Fruit Packaging with Pouch

To prevent pests and produce good fruit, wrap the fruit in bags.

Harvest

Apples, Japanese pears, citrus types etc. harvested when the fruit is ripe.

Western pear, kiwi etc. need a ripening process by storing it (additional ripening), after harvesting.