Key Points for Annual Management of Apple Trees

Month

Solar term

Phenological stage

Key Points for Farming Activities

January

Minor Cold, Major Cold

Dormancy

Pruning and shaping

February

Beginning of Spring, Rain Water

Dormancy

Pruning and shaping, orchard sanitation, and pest and disease control

March

Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox

Budding, budding, leaf unfolding

Bud removal and branch training, coupled with skillful topdressing ( Pre-emergence fertilizer ), irrigation and mulching, and pest and disease control

April

Qingming, Guyu

Bud formation, inflorescence separation, flowering, new shoot growth, fruit set

Pruning before flowering, frost protection during bloom, promotion of fruit set, proper fruit thinning, and control of diseases and pests.

May

Beginning of Summer, Grain in Ear

Fruit development and new shoot growth

Fruit thinning and fruit setting, summer pruning, calcium supplementation for disease prevention, pest and disease control, grass planting in orchards, mulching to conserve soil moisture, and selecting appropriate fruit bags.

June

Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice

Apical bud closure, young fruit development, flower bud differentiation, and June fruit drop.

Fruit bagging, summer pruning, calcium supplementation for disease prevention, and timely topdressing fertilization ( Fruit-expanding fertilizer ), mulching between rows, and pest and disease control

July

Minor Heat Major Heat

The peak period of flower bud differentiation, the onset of autumn shoot growth, and the rapid fruit enlargement stage

Summer pruning, artificial flower induction, and topdressing ( Fruit-expanding fertilizer ), pest and disease control, ridge formation for drainage, mulching for cooling, green manuring, and early‑ripening apple harvesting

August

Beginning of Autumn, End of Heat

Flower bud differentiation, fruit enlargement, autumn shoot growth, and early fruiting and maturation

Autumn pruning (strong branch pulling), inter-row grassing or mowing and mulching, disease and pest control, leaf removal and fruit turning, and harvesting early‑ripening fruits.

September

White Dew, Autumn Equinox

Fruit coloration and maturity, cessation of autumn shoot growth, and the third flush of root growth.

Autumn pruning, inter-row grass cover or mowing mulch, disease and pest control, leaf removal and fruit turning, apple labeling, bag removal, reflective film mulching, and staggered harvesting.

October

Cold Dew, Frost's Descent

Autumn shoot growth has ceased, and late-season fruits are ripening and coloring.

Foliar fertilization, laying reflective mulch film, removing leaves and turning fruits, harvesting late‑ripening fruits and promptly pre‑cooling them before storage, and applying autumn basal fertilizer ( Postpartum weight gain ), pest and disease control

November

Beginning of Winter, Light Snow

Fallen leaves

Autumn tillage for moisture conservation, orchard sanitation, trunk protection, young tree planting, winter irrigation for moisture retention, fruit grading, and storage in the warehouse.

December

Heavy Snow, Winter Solstice

Dormancy

Pruning and shaping, trunk whitewashing, pest and disease control

Fertilizer type

Usage time

Types and Application Rates of Fertilizers

Usage instructions

Main effects

Base fertilizer, postpartum care fertilizer

After fruit harvest

For bio-organic fertilizer, apply 3–4 kg per plant; for a balanced, active humic acid fertilizer such as 17-17-17S or 15-15-15S, apply 1–3 kg per plant; and for high-calcium, potassium, and magnesium fertilizer, apply 0.5 kg per plant.

Deep furrow application and layered application.

Restoring tree vigor, replenishing nutrients, and ensuring adequate inorganic nutrient reserves extend the functional lifespan of leaves, promote safe overwintering and flower bud differentiation, prevent alternate bearing, and lay a solid foundation for high yields in the following year.

Pre-emergence fertilizer

Pre-germination

Active humic acid high-nitrogen fertilizer 25-10-10S, etc.: 1–1.5 kg per plant; for soil application: 10–20 liters per mu, or a compound microbial inoculant: 5–10 liters per mu.

Apply evenly, then cultivate.

1. Promotes flowering, fruit set, and the growth of spring shoots, enhances the cold resistance of fruit trees, and helps protect flowers and fruits. 2. Facilitates flower bud differentiation, resulting in plump buds, increases pollination rates, and boosts fruiting; it can also effectively mitigate alternate bearing. 3. Encourages spatial self-regulation of branches and leaves, strengthens photosynthetic capacity, and enhances stress tolerance.

Fruit-expanding fertilizer

Fruit expansion stage

Use active humic acid–nitrogen–sulfur fertilizer (e.g., 15‑5‑20 or 15‑5‑23) at 2–3 kg per plant, or alternate with bio‑microbial water‑soluble fertilizer (e.g., 13‑7‑40) and humic acid water‑soluble fertilizer (e.g., 16‑6‑36). Apply 1–2 kg of fulvic acid granular fertilizer per mu each time, controlling the total application rate by applying small amounts frequently; fertilize whenever it rains, adjusting the dosage based on expected yield.

Apply in multiple shallow spots and bury deeply, or apply by flushing with a water jet.

Promotes fruit enlargement and flower bud differentiation. This topdressing is most effective in boosting next year’s yield. Benefits: enhances fruit swelling, improves color, prevents sourness, increases sweetness, and produces high‑quality, attractive fruit.

Foliar fertilizer

Kurosawa Yutaka, Golden Dew, and humic acid granules, among others.

Foliar spray application

It compensates for insufficient root uptake, is unaffected by factors such as the number of new roots and soil physicochemical properties, rapidly replenishes nutrients in fruit trees, and improves the tree’s nutritional status. Additionally, it can help prevent and control nutrient deficiencies in fruit trees by supplying essential elements like zinc, iron, and boron.

Before sprouting

In early March, apply a thorough bud‑break irrigation to promote bud emergence.

20 days after flowering

During the period of most vigorous fruit growth and development, the relative soil moisture at a depth of 10–20 cm should not fall below 60%. Irrigation during this stage should be heavy, with water applied to a depth of about 50 cm.

Young fruit stage

During droughts, irrigate appropriately to promote the growth of spring shoots; for young, vigorously growing trees, exercise appropriate control over fertilization and watering.

Fruit expansion stage

Rainfall is heavy; please take precautions to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding.

Dormant period

From leaf fall until the ground freezes, apply a thorough winter‑setting irrigation; this is highly beneficial for ensuring fruit trees overwinter safely, reducing frost damage to flower buds, and promoting vigorous tree growth.

Prevention and control period

Target of control and prevention

Precautions

January–March (dormant period)

Main prevention: Rot disease;

Also provides control of overwintering latent pests and diseases, such as early leaf fall disease, powdery mildew, and red spider mites.

① In winter, bark stripping should be done gently to prevent frost damage; do not apply any chemicals after stripping, as this may cause serious harm.

② In orchards severely affected by water‑core disease and small‑leaf disease, apply a spring base fertilizer supplemented with calcium and zinc.

Late March to early April (before bud break)

Main preventive measures: rot disease and powdery mildew;

Also effective against: red spider mites, scale insects, and others;

① The preparation of lime-sulfur mixture requires a large pot, intense heat, a white ash residue, finely powdered sulfur, and continuous, uninterrupted boiling.

② Do not apply cacodylic acid to decayed cankers or spray it over the entire tree.

Mid-April to early May (flower bud stage to flowering period)

Main diseases and pests to control: powdery mildew, bitter pit, black spot, red spider mite, and Japanese beetles.

Also provides protection against: leaf spot disease, leafroller moths, and more.

① During the flowering period, the application of highly toxic, non-selective pesticides is strictly prohibited.

② During the flowering period, use a sweet-and-sour solution to trap and kill flower‑feeding scarab beetles.

③ During the flowering period, apply a boron fertilizer 1–2 times.

Mid-May to late May (after flower drop and before bagging)

Main preventive measures: black spot, leaf spot, bitter pit, red spider mites, leafrollers, and others.

Also effective against: aphids, powdery mildew, and scale insects.

① During this stage, prioritize water‑soluble or powdered fungicides; focus on protective fungicides while alternating with systemic ones.

②This is the optimal period for calcium supplementation in fruits; calcium should be applied 2–3 times.

③ Pre-bagging applications are critical; high-quality insecticides and fungicides should be selected.

Early to late June (bagging period)

Main preventive measures: black spot, leaf spot, bitter pit, aphids, codling moths, red spider mites, and others.

① During this period, control yellow aphids and Conisus mealybugs using imidacloprid or Lorsban.

② Use diflubenzuron to control the golden‑striped leafroller and the apple leafroller.

③ For peach and pear psyllids, use Taoxiaoling for control; ground‑based treatments should be coordinated with aerial applications.

④ Red and white spider mites should be controlled using avermectin-based products or triazotin.

Early July to mid-September (from bagging to before bag removal)

Main pests and diseases to control: black spot, aphids, codling moths, red spider mites, etc.

Also effective against: rot disease, the golden‑striped leafroller, scale insects, and others.

① During this period, particularly in July and August around the wheat harvest, high temperatures and high humidity create ideal conditions for the onset of leaf diseases such as brown spot. Prompt control measures are essential, with fungicides emphasizing systemic, curative action.

② Orchards that have not yet been fully bagged should pay close attention to the control of the peach fruit moth.

Late September to mid-October (bag removal period)

Main preventive measures: scale insects, sunscald, and bitter pit.

When harvesting, remove the outer bag first and wait 2–3 days before removing the inner bag to prevent sunburn.

Late October–December (after harvest–leaf fall)

Overwintering diseases and pests

Whitewash formulation: 1 part lime sulfur, 1 part table salt, 8–10 parts quicklime, 0.15 part edible oil, and 20–23 parts water. First dissolve the lime in half of the water and the salt in the other half; mix these solutions together, then add the lime sulfur and the oil.