After a drainage flood in the orchard, it's essential to clear the channels promptly once the rain stops. Remove standing water from the orchard and clear mud within 1 meter around the tree base to ensure proper root respiration. In cases of severe flooding, prune damaged leaves and fruits immediately, especially for deciduous fruit trees. For trees that are heavily flooded and cannot be cleaned quickly, dig trenches to lower the groundwater level and prevent root suffocation.
Dry the exposed roots and the surrounding soil as much as possible to speed up water evaporation. After three consecutive sunny days, cover the soil with mulch to retain moisture and protect the roots. The trunks and branches should be whitewashed with a 1:10 lime water solution and wrapped with straw to prevent sunscald and cracking of the bark.
When the soil is dry enough, cultivate the topsoil thoroughly. Increase the cultivation depth appropriately, break up clods, and till the soil 1–2 times. Once the surface soil dries, plow the field. In dry land, the tilling depth should be 25–30 cm, while in irrigated areas, it should be 20–25 cm.
Apply 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate after foliar feeding to support plant recovery and enhance nutrient uptake.
For all types of orchards, apply basal fertilizers early when soil moisture is favorable. Prioritize organic and soil-based fertilizers. After the flooded orchard has drained, focus on deep-rooted development before applying base fertilizer. It's best to perform this between September and October.
Pest control is crucial after heavy rains. Immediately spray insecticides and use high-efficiency bactericides like 70% thiophanate-methyl diluted 1000 times to prevent microbial growth. Strengthen management of bagged pears and apple orchards, especially those affected by black spot disease or pests. Cut ventilation holes in the bottom of large bags and remove them promptly to improve air circulation.
For pre-harvest management, remove leaves and fruits in a timely manner. If conditions allow, use reflective films to enhance fruit coloration and improve marketability.
Timely harvesting is important, especially for orchards that have been flooded for extended periods. Lightly flooded or undamaged orchards should be harvested in stages. Avoid using late-maturing varieties too early to prevent over-supply and falling fruit prices. Plan harvests carefully to maintain quality and market value.