Upright shoot topping involves cutting the shoots that grow straight up on the main stem, leaving 5-6 leaves. After topping, 1-2 new shoots will emerge. When these new shoots have 5-6 leaves, they can be picked again. This process is repeated 2-3 times a year, which helps effectively control the growth of new shoots and promotes a more balanced, vigorous plant. It's important to be consistent and attentive during this process, as the effectiveness depends on the length of the new shoots. If the shoots grow to 5-6 leaves, it's the ideal time for pruning. However, if they reach 30-40 centimeters, they may need to be controlled more carefully to avoid excessive vegetative growth and encourage fruiting.
Fruit-stemmed topping is used to manage long, non-dormant fruiting branches, helping to stop their growth and encourage the formation of flower buds. This technique is particularly useful in promoting better fruit production by redirecting the plant's energy from vegetative growth to reproductive development.
Auxiliary tipping is applied to the extension shoots growing along the branches. It helps control their growth and encourages the filling out of the shoots, resulting in a more compact and productive structure. On leggy shoots that were previously cut back in summer or on competing shoots, this method also helps regulate growth while promoting the development of flower buds.
For branches that tend to grow vigorously near cuts, it's recommended to cut back the sprigs and remove the central part, leaving only 3 leaves. Between those 3 leaves, no other leaves should be left. Before the new shoots start growing, it's essential to re-form the buds. Usually, this process is done once, but if necessary, it can be repeated. Early picking and timely re-focusing are key to maintaining a healthy growth pattern. However, this technique should not be applied to weak trees, as it could further weaken them.
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