Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
picker. Light and sunshine on the fruit/nuts is
also less likely.
In very warm areas where only the low chill
cultivars are successful, prune the trees
directly after harvest.
When establishing the framework of the tree,
allow the apical or terminal buds of the
selected side branches free rein to develop.
Select and prune for the scaffold branches in
winter, pruning out really weak stems; they
are unlikely to succeed even when attempting
to equalise their vigour (see page 127).
Maintenance
Thinning in summer is a task that should not
be omitted as light and air need to penetrate
the canopy freely so remove strong vertical
growths from the centre of the tree. The new
long feathery stems need to be shortened
back to strong side growths and weak new
growth can be removed altogether. Allow a
handspan between these new side-shoots,
selecting those that are the thickness of a
pencil where possible. They will bear next
year's crop. Drooping and very short growth
can be removed as they rarely produce
enough leaves to feed their fruit. Be most
severe on the new growth at the top of the
tree so that it does not shade the lower.
Fruitingwood
The best flowers and fruit are produced on
one-year-old wood, that is, growth that was
made the previous growing season (see
Figure 5.28, page 140). For this reason, these
trees need quite heavy pruning once they
have established in order to renew the
fruiting wood. Peaches and nectarines have
the ability to produce new growth from
dormant buds so new growth is easily
stimulated by pruning.
In autumn cut back the stems that have
produced fruit to two buds from the major
branch. This will produce new growth in
spring that will fruit in two season's time.
Once the tree is established remove at least
one major branch annually in winter to renew
fruiting wood.
Pruningtime
After the initial prune, thin out the new
growth in summer. In autumn shorten two-
year-old wood, which has already fruited,
down to two buds or some strong side growths
produced that season.
Deal with dead or diseased wood as soon as
you see it.
In very dry areas where no summer watering
is available, the late spring early summer
growth can be limited. Shorten back side
stems at flowering to stimulate growth while
water is available. Some of the harvest will be
compromised, but this method does ensure
the production of future fruiting wood.
Fruitthinning
Peaches and nectarines produce large
heavy fruit and so fruit must be thinned
so as not to over burden the branches (see
Figure 6.25).
Nectarines and peaches need between 200
and 1200 hours of chilling to produce a crop.
Thin the fruit so that they are about 10 cm
apart. Almonds need no thinning at all.
