Flower thinning is an important practice for fruit growers and is used to maximize the quality and yield of their crops.
When fruit trees have too many flowers, this can result in poor fruit quality., to a reduction in fruit size, to pest and disease problems and to a loss of yield.
This procedure can be done manually, mechanically, or chemically. Some of the fruit tree species where this practice is commonly used are apples and pears, peaches, grapes, and citrus fruits. In this article, we'll discuss what flower thinning is, its benefits, and how to do it correctly.
What is flower thinning in fruit trees?
Flower thinning is the process of removing or reducing the number of flowers produced by fruit trees. There are several ways to thin flowers, including manual thinning, chemical thinning, and mechanical thinning.
The objective of thinning flowers or fruits is reduce the number so that the trees can use the resources properly and produce better quality fruits.
What happens is that under favorable conditions, fruit trees produce much more fruit than ideal, so thinning involves removing the excess to improve its size and quality.
Techniques for performing the practice
Manual techniques, mechanical methods, combinations with other techniques or chemical processes can be used. The goal is always to improve fruit quality and size, prevent branch breakage due to weight, promote tree health, and encourage the development of annual fruit.
Manual thinning: This process is done by removing excess flowers or fruit with your hands, pinching, twisting, or using small scissors to cut the stem.
For larger trees, you can use sticks to hit branches or bunches of fruit, causing some to fall. It's important to do this very carefully to avoid damaging or bruising the remaining fruit.
Chemical procedure: This method uses plant growth regulators applied as a spray to prevent some fertilized flowers from developing into fruit. It is especially used for apples and pears, when the fruit is young after petal fall.
Mechanical procedure: In this case, research is being conducted to develop robotic systems that can selectively remove fruit, providing a more precise but costly alternative to manual labor.
The advantages of flower thinning
Thinning or thinning flowers on fruit trees has several advantages. Reducing the number of flowers on a tree can help improve overall fruit quality by increasing fruit size and uniformity.
In addition, it can help reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests, as well as improving the performance of the tree.
By reducing the number of flowers on a tree, farmers can achieve fruits of better quality and size, as well as improving overall performance.
Also avoid overproduction, because if there is no abundant harvest one year, the next year it may be practically non-existent.
Another key reason is to reduce branch breakage, as too much fruit can cause the weight of the tree to break branches when the fruit begins to grow.
Most deciduous fruit trees benefit from thinning, especially apple, pear, apricot, plum, kiwi, persimmon, and peach trees. Cherry and walnut trees are not usually thinned.
Why do many fruits benefit from thinning?
This practice balances the amount of fruit left on the trees, giving them the energy needed to to be able to grow correctly and mature.
If we leave too much fruit on the tree it becomes a burden, which consumes a lot of energy. of all the processes that occur during the development of the fruit.
Furthermore, bud production will be limited, which will provide a lighter harvest next year.
Another important factor is that The garden will be healthier, because this procedure helps the air flow much better. through the trees and reduces the risk of disease.
Economic and environmental benefits of flower thinning
It's crucial to mention this point, as this procedure not only benefits the health of the trees and improves the quality and size of the fruit, but also benefits both large and small farmers.
By producing fruits of uniform size and with fewer imperfections, the product becomes more attractive to the market, increasing its commercial value and profitability.
This production optimization avoids overloading the tree, reducing the need to use additional resources, such as fertilizers or pesticides, to maintain your health.
From an environmental perspective, thinning contributes to sustainability. By balancing the fruit load, it reduces stress on the tree, making it more naturally resistant to pests and diseases. This, in turn, reduces its reliance on chemical treatments.
The smaller amount of fruit also helps to avoid wasting water. and nutrients that the tree would have to allocate to the ripening of fruits that would otherwise be of poor quality.
In essence, thinning is a technique that supports the health of the garden ecosystem, promoting stronger growth and a more efficient use of natural resources.
How to properly thin flowers on fruit trees
To properly thin flowers on a fruit tree, you must first determine the approximate fruit load the tree can support.
To do this, you have to take into account the size, age and variety of the tree, as well as weather and growing conditions. Once you've determined the fruit load, you can begin removing excess flowers or fruit from the tree by hand, pruning, applying chemicals, or using mechanical devices.
- First, you need to remove any flowers or fruit that is damaged, diseased, or deformed.
- If you have small bunches you have to remove all the fruits or those that look the healthiest.
- For apples and pears, you should leave one fruit for every 15 to 20 cm, and for peaches and nectarines, between 10 and 15 cm.
- On longer branches, you should remove small fruits near the tip to avoid excessive weight and also to avoid them receiving too much sun.
You have to collect all the removed fruits and leave them for compost, Remember that leaving them on the ground can benefit pests and spread disease. In the case of flowers, you have to remove any that have not set or the brown remains in the center of the bunch.
As for the timing of doing it, farmers who are experts in early summer since there is a greater increase in the size of the remaining fruits.
However, for Inexperienced gardeners are better off waiting until after the June fall., they can only do so to remove the deformed fruits, and finish the process by mid-July.
Tips for thinning fruit tree flowers
When thinning flowers, it's important to keep in mind a few tips that will help ensure the process is done correctly.
- First, you should make sure to thin the flowers soon after they form and before they open completely, to reduce the total amount of energy invested in these flowers.
- Start when the fruits are small, about the size of a coin, to conserve the tree's energy and obtain larger, better quality fruit.
- Use pruning shears especially for apples and pears to avoid damaging the spurs that will produce fruit the following year.
- Use your thumb to remove pitted fruit.
- It is important to do this within 20 days of petal fall, or when the fruits are the size of a dime.
Benefits for all
Thinning or thinning flowers It is an important practice to carry out in the orchard and garden, regardless of the size. Since it helps to optimize both the quality and yield of the fruits.
Reducing the number of flowers on a tree It can contribute to improving the quality of the fruits by increasing their size and uniformity, as well as reducing the appearance of diseases and pests.
As well, Keep in mind that the benefits are for everyone, for trees to maintain their health and for farmers to improve the production and prices of their crops.
Something we must remember is to perform good pruning to keep the tree healthy and contribute to over-fruiting. Remember that pruning is the first stage of fruit thinning.
Without proper pruning, fruit thinning is impossible. By following these recommendations, you can do it properly and optimize the quality and yield of your crops.