Cherry blossoms in spring, fruits in summer. Recently, many cherry farmers have been reaching out to learn about post-harvest care techniques. To address this, the reporter spoke with Zhang Zhicheng, an expert in fruit science at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University. Zhang emphasized that cherries take more than 30 days to mature after blooming, and currently, it's a crucial time for managing from bloom to harvest. Farmers need to focus on several key practices during this period.
First, fruit thinning is essential. After the tree has set fruit, small, deformed, or damaged fruits, as well as those on weak branches, should be removed. This helps balance the tree’s load, improves its overall health, and ensures better nutrition for the remaining fruits, which ultimately enhances fruit quality.
Next, topping is important during the fruit enlargement stage. When new shoots grow to around 20 centimeters, they should be pruned heavily—more than half of the shoot should be removed. This practice controls excessive vegetative growth, redirects nutrients, and supports better fruit development and flower bud formation.
Leaf picking should be done carefully. While some leaves can be removed to improve light exposure and fruit coloring, too many should not be taken, as this may harm the tree’s growth and affect next year’s flower buds.
Applying silver reflective film under the tree canopy during the fruit coloring phase can help increase light exposure in shaded areas, improving color development and overall fruit appearance.
Watering is another critical factor. After flowering, when the fruit reaches the size of soybeans, regular watering is necessary. However, once the fruit enters the hard core stage, overwatering should be avoided to prevent "yellow fruit drop." Watering should be done in small amounts to maintain soil moisture without causing drought. Once the fruit starts to color, it's best to limit or stop watering to prevent cracking.
Fertilization plays a key role in fruit development. During this time, applying foliar sprays such as calcium fertilizer, micro-fertilizer (diluted 800 times), high-mei (400 times), or Feng Baoling (200 times) can significantly improve fruit size, solid content, and coloration.
Lastly, pest and disease control is vital. Most cherry pests and diseases become active during the fruit enlargement phase, so regular monitoring and timely intervention are essential to protect the crop.
By following these practices, cherry growers can ensure healthier trees, better fruit quality, and higher yields.
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