Srinagar: In view of fresh Rain/Snowfall, the Horticulture department Kashmir today issued an advisory for orchardists.
As per the advisory, the orchardists have been advised to adhere to the following practices.
- Clear water channels and drains to ensure complete drainage from the orchards/nurseries.
- Shake trees to remove snow immediately from their branches after snowfall.
- Provide support/staking to trees/limbs which are not strong enough to stand without support.
- Stake newly planted trees to prevent any damage as the newly planted trees take a couple of years to anchor firmly in the soil.
- If the fruit trees tilt, reduce the canopy load by pruning, and provide proper support.
- If the trees get partially uprooted, slowly pull back the trees to the original position after heavy pruning and provide proper support/staking to the main trunk to prevent further fall.
- If any scaffold branch breaks and bark is still intact, after heavy pruning, bring the branch to the original position by tying with a rope and/or bolting or using nails. Ensure that the union remains tight and apply Bordeaux Chaubatia paste on the cut surface.
- If the main trunk splits into two or three parts, it can be treated the same way as above.
- If roots become exposed/naked, immediately mulch your trees to ensure their roots are insulated from winter cold.
- For protected structures (Greenhouses/polyhouses), carefully remove the snow to avoid damage to the structures.
