Huge amounts of both macro and micronutrients are removed from the system when tree crops are harvested.
These nutrients need to be replaced to make sure crops have the stores they need to maximise production in the next season.
Tree and vine crops normally have a root flush after harvest—it’s the plant’s natural way of feeding itself before dormancy.
When dormancy breaks in spring, demand for nutrients to support new root and shoot growth is extremely high. This demand can’t be met by root uptake alone and plants need to rely on their nutrient reserves.
Studies in grapevines have shown that up to half of the nitrogen and phosphorus in the new season’s canopy comes from stored reserves. So now is the time to get those vital nutrients into trees and vines before they shut down for winter.
Rebuild nutrient banks
Stoller Australia’s post harvest hibernation program is designed to rebuild plant nutrient banks and accelerate the movement of carbohydrates and other reserves back to roots and woody tissues.
Your post harvest program needs to supply nutrients to flower buds and the root zone as well as replenish the plant’s storage tissues.
Good post harvest program
A good post harvest program lays the foundation for the next season by accelerating the movement of carbohydrates and nutrient to roots and woody storage tissues.
This means stronger and healthier buds that are ready for bud burst and flowering in spring.
Stoller Australia’s post harvest hibernation program includes a full range of hibernation options for soil and foliar application.
Need for nutrients and micronutrients
Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium to rebuild their nutrient banks, help condition the soil and displace undesirable salts.
Plants also need micronutrients like zinc for protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and root development; manganese, magnesium and boron to promote flowering, pollination and shoot development.
Stoller’s Nutri-pHLow & Post Harvest 23
Stoller’s Nutri-pHLow is a highly available phosphorus source that also contains nitrogen, potassium and supplementary micronutrients.
Apply directly after harvest followed by Stoller’s Post Harvest 23 to support the plant’s natural root flush.
It contains controlled release nitrogen that is ideal for stocking up reserves and encouraging healthy spring growth and the balanced nutrient formulation will not drive excessive vegetative growth.
Stoller’s ZM Squared
Stoller’s ZM Squared (ZM2) is a proven phenolic acid chelate—a cost-effective and plant-available source of zinc, manganese, magnesium and sulphur.
All of the nutrients are chelated which means they remain available to your plants and you can maximise your fertiliser use efficiency.
Stoller’s Sugar Mover
Stoller’s Sugar Mover is a unique foliar nutrient treatment that helps redirect sugars and carbohydrates to tree and vine roots.
It is a convenient and effective alternative to soluble boron, with the added benefit of molybdenum, that enhances nitrogen utilisation by improving sugar transport and metabolism.
Boron is a relatively immobile nutrient and so needs to be supplied continuously to ensure flower uniformity, pollination and shoot formation.
For more information, see Tree Fruit February 2014
