Pg. 33 Bemesting van Lietsjies

Jong uitgeplante lietsjiebome moet nie te gou bemes word nie, maar eers goed gevestig wees en sterk begin groei voordat enige bemestingstoedienings gemaak word, verkieslik na ongeveer een jaar. Bemestingstowwe moet onder geen omstandighede teenaan die stam van die jong borne toegedien word nie.

Summary:

• Young transplanted litchi trees should not be fertilized too early; they need to be well established and growing strongly before fertilizer application, preferably after about one year.
• Fertilizers must never be applied right next to the trunk of the young trees.
• Fertilizers should be evenly spread about 0.2 m from the trunk out to about 0.5 m beyond the tree’s drip line.
• Since litchi tree roots are very sensitive to damage, fertilization should be done just before a light, controlled irrigation and without incorporating the fertilizer into the soil.
• Once trees are established and growing, fertilizer should be applied regularly according to the recommended amounts (outlined in label 1 of the original text).
• Timing and application of nutrient types:
  • Nitrogen (N):
    • 1st year: divided into eight equal monthly doses (25 g each) during summer (September to April).
    • 2nd to 6th years: divided into five equal doses during summer.
    • 6th year and older: half of the nitrogen applied just before flowering and the other half after harvest.
  • Phosphate (P): applied just after harvest.
    • Potassium (K): half applied before flowering and half after harvest.
  • Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B) sprays:
    • Zinc deficiency is common in most soils; apply at least four times a year.
    • Recommended sprays per 100 L water include Zinc oxide (200 g), Nitro-ZN (150 ml), or Agri-zink (50 ml).
    • Boron is often deficient; spray with 100 g borax or 75 g Solubor per 100 L water every two years.
• Leaf and soil analyses are important to refine fertilizer requirements since label 1 recommendations are preliminary.
• Annual leaf and soil tests should be conducted once the trees start producing, to tailor fertilizer programs accurately for each planting.