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Tune To Reconsider
Orchard Fertilization
By Wesley P. Judkins, VPI
Every orchardist knows that green leaves and at least moderate ahoot growth are necessary if large crops of fancy fruit are to he produced. The problem facing the grower is to properly balance his fertilizer program so that max. imum yields are secure<|. This balance involves a critical consideration of the amount and kinds of fertilizer which are applied, the soil type upon which the orchard is located, and the growth status of the" trees. Basic Fertilisation Program \ For Apples and Peaches '
It might be well at the start to outline a basic program for orchard fertilization which can be modified to fit the soil conditions and growth status of an individual situation. ”
In general, apply trees in Virginia require an annual application of about one-fourth pound of a 20 per cent nitrogen fertilizer for each year of age. In othe/ words, a 12-year-old tree needs about three pounds 2and a 20year-old tree about 6 pounds of ammonium sulfate or similar strength nfaterial.
Peach trees need to grow more vigorously than apples if they are to produce large yields. Therefore it is advisable to apply about one-third pound of the 20 per cent nitrogen material per year qf age rather than the one-ofurth pound suggested for apples.
If ammonium nitrate fertilizer having an analysis of 32-34 per cent nitrogen is used, apply about three-fourths of the application suggested for ammonium sulfate. With this basic recommendation in lhind, we should now consider how tiie amount must be varied to meet different soil and growth conditions. . •
As most fruit growers appreciate, nitrogen is the principal fertilizer element which is needed in Virginia orchards. On light soils potassium, magnesium, and boron may also be needed. These materials should be used cm small trial areas to determine their '“slue before a complete fertilizer is applied to the entire orchard. Growers in the eastern UnitedStates have spent thousands of dollars -for complete fertilizers which in many cases were not needed by the trees.
Phosphorus may be of value in promoting the growth of cover crops but there is no evidence of it being deficient as far as the trees a. e concerned. Calcium liker
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