Pg. 11 Bemesting van Lietsjies

Dit is belangrik dat jong, uitgeplante borne nie te gou bemes word nie. Hulle meet eers geed gevestig wees en sterk begin groei voordat enige toedienings gemaak behoort te word, verskieslik na ongeveer een jaar. Bemestingstowwe meet ender geen omstandighede teenaan die stam van die jong borne toegedien word nie.

Kunsmis meet egalig ongeveer 0,2 m van die stam tot ongeveer 0,5 m buite die drup van die boom uitgestrooi word. Aangesien die lietsjieboom baie gevoelig vir wortelbeskadiging is, meet bemesting dus net voor ‘n ligte, beheerde besproeiing toegedien word. Dit is nie wenslik dat bemestingstowwe ingewerk word nie.

Summary:

• Young, newly planted litchi trees should not be fertilized too soon; fertilization is best started after about one year when trees are well established and growing strongly.
• Fertilizers should never be applied directly against the stem of young trees.
• Fertilizer should be evenly applied starting approximately 0.2 meters from the stem to about 0.5 meters beyond the tree drip line.
• Litchi trees are very sensitive to root damage; fertilization should be done just before a light, controlled irrigation.
• Incorporating fertilizers into the soil is not advisable.
• After trees are established and actively growing, fertilization should be applied regularly according to recommended amounts.
• Nitrogen fertilization schedule:
  • 1st year: Divide total nitrogen into eight equal monthly applications of 25 grams each during the growing season (September to April).
  • 2nd to 5th year: Divide nitrogen into five equal applications during the growing season (September to April).
  • 6th year and older: Half of the nitrogen applied just before flowering, and the remaining half after harvest.
• All phosphate fertilizer should be applied after harvest.
• Half of the potassium fertilizer is applied before flowering, and the rest after harvest.
• Because most soils naturally lack zinc or have unavailable zinc, zinc sprays are recommended every spring using either zinc oxide at 200 g/100 l water or NZN at 150 ml/100 l water.
• Many orchards also have low boron levels; it is advisable to spray trees every two years with 100 g borax or 75 g Solubor per 100 l water.
• The recommended fertilization rates in tables are only guidelines; actual rates depend on soil and climate conditions and management practices.
• Leaf and soil analyses provide a better indication of the specific nutritional needs of an orchard and are strongly recommended annually once trees begin producing.
• Accurate fertilization programs are based on these analyses to optimize nutrient management for each orchard.