The old litchi varieties in Baiyun District, Guangzhou City, are primarily the Huaizhi type. These trees suffer from low yields, poor fruit quality, and difficulties in harvesting, resulting in low economic returns. Many orchards have experienced severe decline due to long-term neglect, leading to years without fruit production. Since 1999, Baiyun District has implemented a series of reforms to rejuvenate these old Huaizhi trees using techniques such as low-cutting and high-replacement to improve productivity and quality.
One of the key steps in this process is low-cutting, which is best performed between March and April. This period offers favorable conditions for new shoot growth, with sufficient rainfall, warm temperatures, and adequate humidity. After pruning, up to four or five new shoots can develop within the same year. However, if the orchard produces flowers in spring, it is more common to perform the cut after harvest, typically between July and August. A few days before the low-cut, farmers apply decomposed organic fertilizer or quick-acting fertilizer to support recovery. It's important not to prune after September, as this may result in only one flush of growth, leaving the tree vulnerable to frost damage. Orchards located in mountainous areas or those without irrigation should avoid pruning during hot summer or autumn months.
The low-cutting technique involves using chainsaws to make clean cuts, ensuring smooth surfaces. The wound is then sealed with a mixture of mud and thiophanate to prevent infection. Straw is placed around the trunk to protect it from sun exposure and cracking, while also helping to maintain moisture. During dry periods, both the ground and straw should be watered thoroughly to keep the root system hydrated and reduce heat stress on the tree.
After the low-cut, new shoots typically emerge within 30 to 40 days. These shoots can number in the hundreds, but the first one is critical—its survival determines the tree’s future. Farmers must monitor for pests and apply insecticides when the shoots reach 2–3 cm in length, repeating the treatment every 10 days for up to three times. Despite the large number of shoots, thinning is discouraged because they help nourish the roots and provide shade to the trunk. Each growth cycle requires careful management of fertilization, watering, and disease control, following the "one tip, one fertilizer" and "one tip, two sprays" approach.
Grafting is carried out in the second year after pruning, usually between February and March. Each tree is grafted with 15–20 branches, selecting healthy positions that ensure at least 8–13 surviving shoots. If fewer shoots survive, additional grafts can be made in April or May. Pest control is essential to protect the new grafts. The first year after grafting sees 4 shoots, increasing to 4–5 in the second year. Retaining some original shoots helps maintain vegetative growth and protects the tree from sunburn. As the grafted shoots grow, surrounding branches are pruned or bent down to give them space. Over time, non-grafted shoots are gradually removed.
For grafting varieties, high-quality types like Wolfberry Laughter, Sugar Candy, Cinnamon, and Glutinous Rice Bran are commonly used. Wolfberry Laughter grows quickly and has strong vigor, while White Sugar Candy is slower but easier to flower. Cinnamon and Glutinous Rice are local varieties with moderate growth rates. No incompatibility issues have been reported among these selections.
To shape the canopy, farmers focus on developing main branches and removing dense, non-essential ones. By the third or fourth year, each tree should have 2–3 main branches with 2–3 secondary branches. Over time, each tree will form a well-balanced canopy with 3–5 main branches.
To promote early fruiting, measures such as controlling winter shoots and encouraging flower bud formation are taken. Varieties like Wolfberry Laughter, Cinnamon, and Glutinous Rice benefit from techniques like girdling and chemical treatments. However, White Sugar Candy, which has weaker growth, does not respond well to girdling. Root cutting is less effective for controlling shoots in trees with extensive root systems.
Fertilization and water management play a crucial role in the success of high-replacement planting. Compared to traditional litchi cultivation, the amount of fertilizer used is lower. Fertilization is timed with the development of autumn shoots and flowering, with reduced nitrogen and increased phosphorus and potassium. For weaker trees, 1 kg of compound fertilizer is applied 7–10 days before fruit picking, followed by 1–1.5 kg of potassium chloride before the last autumn shoot emerges. Fertilization should not occur too early before flowering, and the amount is adjusted based on the tree’s health. Trees with strong growth do not need extra fertilizer, while those with slightly weaker vigor receive 0.5–1 kg of compound fertilizer per plant. Foliar sprays of 0.3–0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate are applied after the first physiological fruit drop, repeated every 7–10 days for three times. In dry spring conditions, irrigation during flowering is recommended.
Economically, the results of these improvements have been significant. In 1999, the output was 2,800 kg, 75 kg, and 2,225 kg respectively, totaling 10,200 yuan over three years. By 2002, only sugar and dumplings were produced, and in 2003, due to poor winter shoot control, the yield was low. However, in 2004, all three varieties showed good performance. Over the past three years (2002–2004), the output reached 750 kg, 125 kg, and 3,400 kg, with a total value of 29,925 yuan—nearly three times the earlier period. As the canopy expands, production is expected to increase year by year.
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