Fresh snowfall: Horticulture department issues advisory for orchardists

SRINAGAR: In view of fresh rain and snowfall, the Horticulture department Kashmir Wednesday issued an advisory for orchardists.
As per the advisory, the orchardists have been advised to adhere to various measures which includes clearing water channels and drains to ensure complete drainage from the orchards/nurseries.
Shaking trees to remove snow immediately from their branches after snowfall and provide support/staking to trees/limbs which are not strong enough to stand without support.
The advisory also asked orchardists to stake newly planted trees to prevent any damage as the newly planted trees take a couple of years to anchor firmly in the soil.
It said that if the fruit trees tilt, reduce the canopy load by pruning, and provide proper support.
The advisory added that 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, the advisory added.
It said that 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, it added.
For protected structures (Greenhouses/polyhouses), carefully remove the snow to avoid damage to the structures, the orchardists were told.