Mainly it states the importance of selecting proper walnut/almond varieties respect to region’s climate, field’s & soil’s conditions. Some varieties are unable to adapt and sustain their life only in specific conditions (altitude, climate, etc..). As a result, even the smallest mistake in the early years will lead to serious outcomes like low yield to even no fruits from that orchard in future.
In nature, trees depend on the fruits they grow for reproducing. This type of breeding called as sexual and results in genetic variations due meiosis process and pollens from the trees in the environment. In case of planting directly the fruit; root, crown and fruit development will be different from the origin tree. To overcome this variation, asexual reproduction methods is used. Grafting is one of the most common methods that has been used which is basically cloning the tree in consideration by using scions with buds on it. By using grafted sapling properties of desired variety is guaranteed.
Maviser is focused on production of most desired and proven walnut and almond varieties globally which are Chandler, Fernor, Fernette, Franquette, Pedro, Cisco, Hartley, Howard, Meylannaise & Ronde (de Montignac) for walnuts and Texas, Nonpareil, Ferraduel & Ferragnes for almonds. Additionally other domestic varieties are also available in orchards.
To establish a productive and long lasting orchard, field in consideration must be check for suitability and soil condition needs to evaluated by means of soil analysis. After the studies if necessary, soil reclamation will be done and be prepared for plantation. Otherwise diseases, development disorders and many other problems are imminent.
Time of planting changes according to root’s being bare or potted. Trees go into dormancy (hibernation phase) in October-November. Bare root saplings must be in dormancy state to be removed from the soil and after the removal, roots must be maintained to be prepared for plantation. These removed saplings must be planted before the dormancy phase ends which is around end of February.
Potted saplings can be planted during the year. But the important thing is when removing from the pot, roots must not get in contact with air. Otherwise sapling may stop its vital activities.
The holes needs to be 45-60cm in diameter and 75-80cm in depth. When planting, graft location must be above the ground by 5-10 cm and the root flare needs to be aligned with soil level. Keeping the root flare above ground is important for sustaining tree’s vital activities.
Actually, no. Tree height & crown can be adjusted by desired pruning operations but for high yielding orchard establishment we don’t suggest this approach.
In the first year of plantation, tree should be pruned 4~6 buds above from graft location. After trimming the tree, a protective coating must be applied to protect open wound from the sun and pests.
After the first year of tree, the strongest and vertically growing branch is selected and remaining branches are removed. But to protect the trunk from sun’s effects, one or two branches in southwest direction can be kept.
In the first years of tree, development of branches must be observed. If there are any branches which don’t fit in growing strategy, they also must be removed. The branches which were kept to shelter trunk from sun need to be removed when crown has grown enough to shelter by itself.
No matter the height of sapling, whether it’s bare or potted, it must be pruned around 60~70cm from the graft location. Unless the height is around 30~60cm, pruning can be skipped in the first year, only a short amount (3~4cm) can be cut after March~April from the top.
If picking of the fruits is considered to be done by hand, crown height needs to be started from 40cm. In following years, necessity of pruning will be lowered. Only unhealthy & jammed branches can be removed for keeping the tree healthy and allowing sun light to reach. After 15-20 years renovation pruning can be done.
