Christmas trees
PDFFoliar fertilization in Christmas trees
The growth form, coloring of the fir needle and the typical smell are the most important characteristics for Christmas trees and determining the market price for the tree.
The foliar fertilization can help to improve and optimize the nutrition and quality of the trees in general and to maximise achievable market prices.
Herbicide application
Young trees are less competitive to weeds in the early growth stage. To improve the long-lasting herbicide activity, Herbosol® as an adjuvant will enhance the efficacy of soil herbicides.
Herbosol with 0,4 l/ha will improve the stability and reliability of the herbicide without washing out (heavy rain) and shifting of active incrediants into the soil.
Aminosol® - to prevent damage by hair game
Aminosol® can be applied to prevent browsing damage by game. Aminosol® is produced from animal protein from food production. This protein is splited by enzymes into amino acids. This creates the typical Aminosol® smell. Hair game is perceiving this smell intensively and avoiding fields which are treated with the product. Recommended application based on 1 ha: 2 l Aminosol® with 2 l water and leave it 2 - 3 days. Then apply this mixture to the leaves with the sprayer and the usual quantity of water.
Soil and needle analysis
Soil analyses (P, K, Mg, pH value) can help to understand the level of nutrient content in the soil and to optimize nutrition. The pH value is in general influencing the availability of macro -nutrients in the soil.
In addition, a needle analyses done between November and March will help to analyse and recognize the availability for each nutrient, especially for the micro nutrients.
Foliar fertilizers can be used preventive as integrated part of the fertilizer strategy or if it comes to an undersupply with nutrients and visible symptoms.
Application of foliar fertilizers
The amino acids in Aminosol® are stimulating the root growth because of physiological effects. Aminosol® will enhance the growth in general of young plants.
We recommend a treatment before planting. Due to the winter rest of Christmas trees, best application time for foliar fertilizers will be middle of May till the end of September.
Furthermore, an optimized nutrition with phosphorus, - potassium and magnesium is required. We recommend the application of Lebosol®-PK-Max 1-3 times with a dose rate of 6-8 l/ha. To improve coloration of needles and to optimize nutrition with magnesium we recommend the application of Lebosol®-MagSOFT SC with 2-3 times and 3-5 l/ha.
Fertilization with copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn)
magnesium-deficiency christmas tree
Copper is fixed to the organic substance and not mobile in the soil. The undersupply with copper will reduce the ultilization of nitrogen and cause thin-walled cells with higher susceptibility for diseases.
The manganese supply can be limited especially on compacted soils. This undersupply will be visible by yellowing of the youngest needles and loosing of the green colour.
If it comes to certain stress situations, e.g. after hail, cold and wet weather conditions, the application with Lebosol®-Total Care, 4 - 6 l/ha, can help and support a fast recovery of the plants.
The foliar application with VITALoSol® GOLD SC – 2-4 times with 4-6 l/ha- will strengthen the plants against unfavourable weather conditions and diseases. The combination of sulphur, copper and manganese in VITALoSol® GOLD SC will have a positive effect on winter hardiness, stress and disease tolerance.
Main recommendations
| Aim/Problem | Recommendation | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of soil-applied herbicides | 0,2 - 0,6 l/ha Herbosol® (Increase to 0.6 l/ha on light soils with a low humus content; reduce to 0.2 l/ha for heavy soils with a high humus content.) | With soil-applied herbicides |
| Root formation, growth, initial development | Aminosol® (Immerse the plants in a solution of 1% or alternatively water with 5 - 10 l/ha) | Before new planting |
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of plant protection products | 150 - 300 ml Aminosol® (per 100 l spray water) | With plant protection products |
| To cover periods with poor growth conditions | 4 - 6 l/ha Lebosol®-Total Care | In the event of stress at the site |
| Initial development, vitality, energy and water balance, N efficiency | 1 - 3 times 6 - 8 l/ha Lebosol®-PK-Max | From budding |
| Bud and shoot development | 2 - 3 times 1 - 2 l/ha Lebosol®-AqueBor SC | From budding |
| Vitalisation, photosynthesis rate, resilience, N efficiency, winter hardiness |
2 - 4 times 3 - 4 l/ha Lebosol®-Schwefel 800 SC + 2 - 4 times 0,25 - 0,75 l/ha Lebosol®-Kupfer 350 SC + 2 - 4 times 1 l/ha Lebosol®-Mangan GOLD SCor2 - 4 times 4 - 6 l/ha VITALoSol® GOLD SC |
From budding |
| Prevention and alleviation of iron chlorosis, improvement in water transport, leaf quality | 2 - 3 times 3 - 7 l/ha Lebosol®-Eisen-Citrat GOLD | During the vegetation period |
| To prevent premature leaf drop; increased vitality, leaf quality, photosynthesis rate | 2 - 3 times 3 - 5 l/ha Lebosol®-MagSOFT SC | During the vegetation period |
| Treated crops are avoided by furred game | 2 l Aminosol® (With 2 l water 2 - 3 days beforehand, quantity for 1 ha) | When required |