Pg. 9 Grondvoorbereiding vir Lietsjies

‘n Lietsjie-aanplanting is ‘n langtermynbelegging. Dit is ‘n hoe-inkomstegewas wat in die beginstadium ‘n hoe kapitaalinset regverdig. Wanneer ‘n nuwe aanplanting beoog word, is dit dus noodsaaklik dat dit vraegtydig en deeglik beplan meet word.

Die eerste en belangrikste stap is om die grand te ondersoek vir geskiktheid met betrekking tot diepte, dreinering en verdigte lae. Dit is wenslik dat die grand minstens 1 to 2 m diep meet wees. Die fisiese geskiktheid van ‘n grond kan slegs geevalueer word deur gate in die land te grawe en die grand te ondersoek.

lndien die grand fisies geskik is vir die verbouing van lietsjies, is dit noodsaaklik dat die grand vroegtydig sorgvuldig voorberei meet word.

‘n Verteenwoordigendegrondmonster van die beoogde board moet hierna vir ontleding geneem word. Dit is wenslik dat die grondmonster minstens nege maande voor aanplanting , maar verkieslik van 12 tot 14 maande voor plant, geneem word. Dit gee die beer voldoende tyd om die grand goed voor te berei, veral indien groat hoeveelhede kalk vereis word.

Summary:

• Litchi planting is a long-term investment requiring significant initial capital, so thorough and timely planning is essential.
• The first and most important step is to examine the soil for suitability in terms of depth, drainage, and compacted layers; soil should ideally be 1 to 2 meters deep.
• Physical suitability of the soil can only be assessed by digging holes and examining the soil.
• If suitable, the soil must be carefully prepared early on.
• A representative soil sample from the intended planting area should be taken for analysis preferably 12 to 14 months before planting, but at least 9 months before.
• Soil sampling guidelines:
  • Sample from homogeneous areas without visible soil differences; divide land and sample separately if differences occur.
  • Sampling depths: 0 to 0.3m (topsoil) and 0.3 to 0.5m (subsoil).
  • Each composite sample should be made up of at least 10 subsamples evenly distributed over an area not exceeding 3 hectares.
  • Mix sub-samples in a clean container; take a 2 kg sample for analysis in a clean plastic bag, labeled on the outside with farm name, soil depth, and sample number.
• Analysis results provide vital information about types and amounts of fertilizer needed before planting.
• Lime and phosphate should be applied well ahead of planting and deeply incorporated into the soil.
• Preliminary fertilizer recommendations during tree growth can be adjusted with leaf analyses.
• The soil should be thoroughly and deeply loosened before planting; deep planting holes may then not be necessary.
• For very acidic soils, heavy liming is needed; two-thirds of recommended lime should be applied 12 months before planting, mixed thoroughly and incorporated deeply.
• A cover crop may be planted and ploughed in about six months later to increase soil organic matter; the rest of the lime and all required phosphate are applied then.
• If soil samples and preparation are delayed, lime and phosphate are applied and incorporated as much as possible before planting.
• Newly planted trees should not be fertilized too early; they must be well established and growing strongly first, often waiting about a year.
• Fertilizer applications should be light, evenly distributed, and not placed near the stem, followed by irrigation.