Volume 1 Chapter 85 Pruning

  With nothing better to do, Chu Jiaqiang went into the orchard and pruned the branches of the fruit trees that had already been harvested. This is very important for managing fruit trees. If there are too many branches on a fruit tree, it wastes unnecessary nutrients and affects sunlight supply, which has an adverse impact on next year's yield and quality of fruit.

  This made some villagers see it, and they couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with this kid. Don't you have firewood at home? Why cut down fruit trees? There are plenty of dry branches on the mountain, no need to dry them in the sun, just tie them back and burn them.

  The news quickly reached the old village chief's ears. The old village chief knew that Chu Jiaqiang must have his reasons for doing so, and he came to watch with a group of people.

  "Jia Qiang, what are you doing now? Why cut down the branches of these fruit trees? They will bear fruit next year." The old village chief also felt heartbroken when he saw this. This kid really didn't hold back, and in a short while, the ground was covered with a layer of branches. Many of them had borne fruit this year.

  Chu Jiaqiang knew they would ask this, and patiently explained: "In the management of fruit trees, this is called pruning. For the fruit tree, it's to reduce the burden. Let me put it this way! There are many branches on top that won't produce fruit or will produce very little. On the contrary, they need nutrients, just like pests. These branches must be pruned, and only then can the quality of next year's fruit improve."

  It was the first time many people had heard of such a theory, but Chu Jiaqiang's explanation was very clear, and even these uncultured farmers could understand it. It sounded reasonable, but for the time being, they couldn't accept it, feeling that it was a pity.

  The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only Yang Guafu, who was preparing to try managing the orchard with Chu Jiaqiang for a year, and Chu Shengcai at the end of the village. The two stayed behind to watch and try to find some regular experience.

  Chu Jiaqiang knew that these two people were preparing to mix with him and also intentionally taught them a few moves, from time to time pointing out a few things to them.

  Chu Sheng looked at it for a long time, but still couldn't figure out what to cut and what to leave. He awkwardly asked Chu Jiaqiang: "Jiaqiang, what's your standard for pruning? These branches seem very healthy, growing thick and strong, wouldn't it be a pity to cut them?" He picked up the branch that Chu Jiaqiang had just cut off, looking puzzled.

  Chu Jiaqiang smiled: "Cai Shu, the branch you picked is indeed fine, but its location is not good. The top of the tree grows straight up towards the sky, it's better to prune it. Firstly, even if it bears fruit in the future, it will be difficult to pick. Secondly, this is called topping, which prevents the fruit tree from growing too tall and allows it to develop in all directions."

  Removing the top advantage, this trick is often used in cotton planting.

  From a biological perspective, plants have the phenomenon of apical dominance where the apex grows while the lateral buds are inhibited. The growth of the plant's apex inhibits the germination and growth of lateral branches, including the angle at which leaves or branches grow. There is a close relationship between the apex and lateral buds during the growth and development of plants.

  When the apical bud is growing vigorously, it will inhibit the growth of lateral buds. If for some reason the apical bud stops growing, some lateral buds will grow rapidly. This phenomenon where the apical bud grows preferentially and inhibits the development of lateral buds is called apical dominance.

  "Is this all right?" asked Yang's widow, frowning.

  Look at this ripe peach-like widow, Chu Jiaqiang couldn't help but feel a thrill in his heart. He took a glance at Yang Widow and explained: "This technique is actually quite common, of course, it's not popular in our rural areas, but those who specialize in managing fruit trees outside will use it. In agricultural production, the method of eliminating or maintaining apical dominance is often used to control the growth of crops, fruit trees, and flowers, in order to increase yield and control the shape of the flower tree."

  "Cutting off branches can increase production? Are you kidding me?" Chu Sheng was even more puzzled, feeling that what Chu Jiaqiang said was a load of nonsense. The previous explanation could still be accepted.

  The strong hand of Chu's family didn't stop, continuing to aim at some branches, as if giving the trees a haircut.

  "Right! These branches originally needed nutrients too, but now they've been pruned away, the nutrients that were allocated to these branches will be reallocated to other fruiting branches, won't that increase yields? Removing apical dominance by topping or pinching can make plants branch more and bloom more. The method of topping is often used to remove apical dominance, promoting lateral bud germination, increasing the number of lateral branches, or promoting lateral branch growth. For example, for fruit trees, it can make the tree shape more open, with more fruiting branches; for tea trees and mulberry trees, more lower-positioned lateral branches are convenient for picking; for roadside trees, it can increase the shaded area."

  Chu Jiaqiang explained very professionally to Yang Guafu and Chu Shengcai, and the two of them fell into deep thought after listening.

  Then Chu Sheng asked Chu Jiaqiang with some embarrassment: "Jiaqiang, when you have time, can you also help me trim it? I really can't tell them apart!"

  When Chu Shengcai made the request, Yang Guafu also spoke up to plead, seeing Chu Jiaqiang nodding, the two were happy and also a little hesitant. In the end, it was still Chu Shengcai who spoke up: "Jiaqiang, I don't know what kind of labor price you need?"

  Chu Jiaqiang was taken aback, then waved his hand and said: "Cai Shu, aren't you making things difficult for me? It's not a big deal, no need to worry about it. Just take care of the food later. Besides, pruning is not that hard, you'll get the hang of it after watching a few times. Later, you can just stand by and help with the pruning, I'll teach you. The main thing is to cut off the barren branches, drooping branches, back branches, dense branches, diseased branches, and weak small branches. Pruning can control the yield, making the fruit tree's quality improve."

  In a rural area like this, it's normal for people to help each other out. Usually during planting and harvesting seasons, those who finish their work quickly will often lend a hand to others, without asking for payment, just a meal as a token of appreciation would suffice. But now it's different, Chu family asked Zhang Qiang for help to make money, but the latter relies on his skills to make a living, which puts both parties in an awkward position.

  "This..." Chu Sheng saw that Chu Jiaqiang's expression was not fake, and he couldn't help but feel even more embarrassed.

  "Alright! We're all from the same village, what's the point of talking about money and hurting each other's feelings?" Chu Jiaqiang indeed didn't care about that little bit of wages, anyway he was idle and might as well help out for a couple of days.

  The Chu family's words had reached this point, and only then did Chu Sheng hurriedly express a few words of gratitude to Yang Guafu.

  Apart from the two of them, they also need to go help at Second Uncle's place. Second Uncle was one of the earliest people to decide on managing fruit trees. Chu Jiaqiang had also instructed Second Uncle not to sell the oil residue, but instead keep it for later use with pig or cow dung to fertilize the fruit trees.

  He was busy for most of the day, and it wasn't until dusk that he finished clearing this patch of fruit trees. He carried his curved knife with a relaxed air as he strolled through the orchard, the sunset stretching his shadow out long, giving off a sense of "picking chrysanthemums by the east hedge, carefree and seeing the south mountain".

  When passing by the chicken coop, the chicks didn't run far and were active around the coop. Seeing their master coming to see them, they thought it was time to eat again, so many of them ran over. Chu Jiaqiang poured some tonic water into the chicken feeder, allowing these little chickens to grow up healthier.