Seedlings will grow best if planted in fertile soil with good drainage. It is also desirable to loosen and moisten the soil. A good result can be achieved if young seedlings are planted in loamy or sandy soil, as they are excellent conductors of oxygen and water, which are so necessary for the roots of the tree. But in acidic peatlands, sweet cherries will not grow.
Cherry seedlings
When choosing a place, consider the location of groundwater - if they are located too close to the surface, it is likely that the roots of the seedlings will simply rot. The best option their location - at a depth of at least 1.5 meters.
But how to grow cherries for those who cannot boast of a type of soil suitable for trees? There are several tricks that will help prepare the soil for planting seedlings. Let's learn the basic recommendations and learn how to care for the plant.
Regardless of the type of soil, preparation for planting cherries must begin in advance. So, 20 days before landing, carefully dig the site. When digging, do not forget to apply fertilizers that can make the soil even more fertile. For each square meter soil you need to make about 10 kg of manure or compost. When making mineral additives, you need to be more modest: no more than 150 g of superphosphate and only 100 g of any potash fertilizers.
Preparing the soil for planting a seedling
But what about those who have high acidity of the soil? In this case, it will have to be “extinguished” using lime. For sandy soil, the fertilizer rate per square meter should be no more than 400 g, for loamy soil - about 600 g. At the same time, gardeners recommend not using lime and mineral fertilizers- these elements can react, as a result of which their effectiveness will be reduced.
Now let's get ready clay soil. In addition to the fertilizers we talked about above, mix the earth with the opposite type of soil. For example, to clay you need to add river sand, to sand - clay. However, such preparation should be carried out 2 years before planting seedlings.
We start preparing the pit 2 weeks before planting seedlings. The depth of the hole should be at least 0.6 meters, the width should be up to 1 meter, but it also all depends on the size of the root system. It is best to dig a rectangular hole, discarding the top and bottom layers of soil in different directions. We drive a stake into the bottom of the pit, which will serve as a support for the future tree - thanks to this, the seedling will not break under the influence strong wind or because of the weight of the snow on the branches.
Hole with a stake for planting a cherry tree
The top layer, which is considered the most fertile, is mixed with fertilizers. At the same time, remember that during the planting of the seedling, no fertilizers with nitrogen or lime can be applied to the soil! Such additives will slow down the survival of the seedling in a new place. You can use 3 buckets of humus, compost also has a good effect on young cherry seedlings. Among mineral fertilizers, select superphosphate (200 g). Additionally, you can add potassium sulfur (50 g) or ash (no more than 500 g).
Mix all the ingredients and pour into the bottom of the pit in the form of a small hill, then fill in the remaining earth and tamp. Such careful preparation in the future will simplify the care of the tree.
If a cherry can be planted from a stone and get at the same time good harvest, then with cherries everything is much more complicated. And the thing is that cherries grown in this way can give completely faded and tasteless crops, although, of course, there are exceptions. After all, it is by selecting seedlings of different varieties that breeders create new varieties.
Selection of cherry seedlings
Therefore, when choosing seedlings, the most important thing is to pay attention to the trunk, on which the grafting site should be visible. It is such a tree that can be called 100% varietal. Moreover, such trees usually enter the fruiting period much earlier. It will be good if the seedling you have chosen has many shoots, from which a crown will form in the future. Also on the trunk should be the main branch, from which the rest depart - the conductor. If it is absent, the sweet cherry will develop poorly and branch out, and as a result of abundant fruiting, it may even break.
The condition of the conductor must be satisfactory - if it is broken, then after disbanding it will have competitors. Therefore, you will have to remove them, leaving the strongest one. It is best to choose strong two-year-old seedlings. Examine the roots - they should not be damaged, dried. When transporting, wrap all root system in a damp cloth and wrap with foil. If there are leaves on the seedling, then it is better to cut them off so that they do not dehydrate. young tree.
If a we are talking in the northern regions, where a predominantly cold climate reigns, it is better to refuse autumn planting - there are high risks that cherry seedlings will freeze in winter. It is better to dig a hole and put young trees in it at an angle of 45 degrees with the top facing south. Cover the roots well with soil. When frosts come, sprinkle the top of the plants with sand, and then cover the seedlings with snow. This will keep them from freezing. But if you live in the suburbs, then autumn planting is considered the best option.
What are the advantages of such a landing? First of all, during this period in the Moscow region and other cities in the markets you can always find a variety of different varieties this fruit tree. Thanks to this, you can choose the variety you need, depending on its qualities.
Cherry planting
The landing time largely depends on the climate, but usually work is carried out 2 weeks before the onset of cold weather. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you check the nearest weather forecast so as not to miss the landing. According to gardeners, it is better not to delay the work - leave the maximum planting date for October 20.
It is also worth taking care of the preparation of the seedlings themselves. Before planting, carefully inspect the root system. If you see frayed ends, cut them off. You should also remove roots that are not placed in the hole you have prepared, especially if roots that are too long may not survive the winter. If you notice that the roots have dried up, then place them in water for 12 hours. But even if the root system is in order, gardeners still recommend placing them in water for at least 2 hours so that they are moistened. Drop off rules:
- Do not lower the seedling too much into the hole - it is important that the root neck of the tree is located above the ground. You can raise the cherry by 5 cm, because anyway, after the soil settles, the seedling will fall into the right place.
- Spread the roots of the tree well along the mound made in advance.
- Gradually filling the hole with the bottom layer of soil, shake the young plant a little to fill the voids between the roots.
- After filling the hole halfway, pour another 10 liters of water into it, then completely bury it with soil.
- After you have filled the hole with the seedling, trample down the soil and water the soil well again.
Pruning scheme and watering rules - what beginner gardeners need to know?
It doesn’t matter when and where you planted a cherry seedling - in the suburbs, other regions of the middle lane or in the northern part, caring for a young tree will be the same. First of all, mulch the trunk circle with humus or peat. Such an event will help to better retain moisture in the soil, which is very important during the autumn landing, when water may not be enough. Also, the water in the soil will protect the roots from freezing.
The plant is watered about once a month, but it also all depends on the weather conditions - if the weather is dry, the number of waterings is increased. Only two buckets of water are enough for a young seedling. True, watering cherries in autumn period It is advised to carry out no later than a week before the onset of frost. After the snow falls, we stop watering.
Care should include and. But here we were lucky - the fertilizers that you applied when preparing the pit for planting seedlings should be enough for about 3 years. After that, young trees can be fertilized again. For example, you can use stubborn humus, making it along with watering once every 3 years.
And to stimulate the active growth of shoots, it is desirable to use mineral fertilizers, which are usually applied in the third year of the life of sweet cherries. After planting a seedling in the fall, we do not carry out pruning in the first year - during this period the tree is still weak, therefore it is better to transfer the work to spring or summer. At the same time, the work must be completed before the start of sap flow.
But in the future, every autumn, any seedling care work will include. Work begins after the leaves fall. At the same time, in middle lane it is desirable to hold events before the beginning of October, in the northern regions - until the end of August. And all because when pruning at a later period, there is a high risk of damage to the tree due to the fact that the resulting cuts will heal much worse.
Be sure to cut off all weak and diseased shoots, which will provide the seedlings with an easier wintering. Annual branches are shortened by 30%, non-skeletal branches are cut to a height of up to 30 cm.
Wherein autumn pruning it is advisable to carry out with a saw, and not with a pruner - cuts from such a tool heal much faster and more painlessly for the tree.
Autumn care for young seedlings will be incomplete without careful preparation of cherries for winter period. First of all, wrap the trunk of each seedling with burlap. True, we strongly recommend that residents of the Moscow region regularly check the condition of the tree - if the temperature rises, it is worth removing the insulation, otherwise the trunk may rest. This may cause rotting. Also, do not forget to sprinkle the bottom of the trunk with snow, creating an additional layer of thermal insulation. Put spruce branches on top, which will help protect the cherry from small rodents.
Every third summer resident has cherries on his plot. But planting cherries, her closest relative, is much less popular, although many people like her juicy and sweet berries. The reason for this is the established opinion about the exceptional heat-loving culture. Long time it was true: the trees bore fruit generously only in the southern gardens.
Summer residents, whose plots are located in the middle lane, do not dare to grow cherries, considering this occupation unpromising due to high risk her freezing. But not all varieties of culture are subject to it. Its zoned varieties are successfully cultivated in cold climates. Leningrad region, in the Urals and even in the gardens of Siberia.
Site Requirements
Cherry loves the sun and does not tolerate drafts. It is better to place its seedlings in the most lit area and at the same time not blown by cold winds. The tree will be comfortable at the fence or at the southern walls of buildings. But tall cherry varieties have a spreading crown, so it is important to leave enough free space for them to develop. A pit for a seedling is dug, stepping back from the building at least 3-4 m.
Trees grow best on small (up to 0.5 m high) hills that can be artificially equipped, and in areas slightly inclined towards the south, southwest or southeast.
Here they do not lack light and heat. Do not plant cherries in the lowlands and in those places where water stagnates for a long time in spring. In such conditions, trees quickly die. The roots of the sweet cherry are deep (up to 2 m long), and some of them are located vertically in the soil, so it does not tolerate close proximity to groundwater.
The crop grows well and bears fruit in loose soil. Light and fertile sandy or loamy soils are ideal for it. They should be fairly moist, but not waterlogged. On peat bogs, in heavy clay soil, on quickly drying sand with a meager supply nutrients planting cherries will not be successful.
Dates and landing scheme
The timing of the placement of trees on the site depends on the climate of the area. In the southern regions they practice more often autumn planting, spending it a few weeks before the soil freezes. In Siberia and the Urals, it is better to postpone the procedure until spring. If the seedling does not have time to take root, very coldy will destroy him.
Sweet cherry belongs to cross-pollinated crops. It will bear fruit abundantly only if there are neighbors. It is recommended to plant 2-3 trees on the site, representing different varieties of crops. You can get by with one, but only if you place a couple of cherries next to the sweet cherry with the same flowering time. This guide also applies to partially self-fertile crop varieties.
Between adjacent trees leave 4-5 m of free space. Save space here the best way. When planted closer, the trees will shade each other. It will also be difficult to take care of them. If the sweet cherry is columnar, the distance between plants is reduced to 1 m. When planting such trees in rows, the interval between them should be 2-3 m.
Pit preparation
When planting cherries in the fall, the site is prepared 2-3 weeks before the procedure. The soil is dug deep and enriched with fertilizers:
- compost (10 kg);
- superphosphate (180 g);
- potassium nitrate (100 g).
These dosages are calculated for 1 m² of the surface area. You can add to the soil a special complex preparation intended for cherries and sweet cherries. The soil with an acidic reaction is lime. It is recommended to do this in advance - 7-10 days before making nutrient formulations. Clay or sandy soil for growing cherries has been prepared for several years. The first is dug up, scattering sand over the surface of the site, clay is added to the second. In the next 3-4 years, fertilizers are applied to the soil. You can do this in spring or autumn.
The planting hole is dug 2 weeks before the tree is placed in it. It should be deep (60-80 cm) and wide (1 m). A support is placed in the center. It is correct if it rises 30-50 cm above the soil surface. Fertile soil is poured into the bottom of the pit, adding the following components to it:
- rotted compost;
- superphosphate;
- potassium sulfate;
- wood ash.
Thoroughly mixed substrate should form a small hill around the support.
The introduction of nitrogen-containing compounds and lime into the planting pit is fraught with burns for the roots of the seedling, at this stage it is better to do without them.
Lightly tamping the soil mixture, sprinkle it on top with infertile soil. Having well leveled it, pour a couple of buckets of water into the pit, after which they forget about it for 2 weeks. During this time, the soil will settle.
If cherry planting is carried out in the spring, the site and the pit are prepared in the fall. Add manure or compost to the soil. It is recommended to do this from October to November, depending on weather conditions. In the spring, when the snow melts and the soil dries out slightly, mineral fertilizers, including nitrogen fertilizers, can be added to the pits. Seedlings begin to be placed in them in a week.
Seedling selection
Cherry seedlings at the age of 1-2 years take root best of all. In height, the first should reach 70-80 cm, the second - 1 m.
When choosing a seedling, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- features of the crop variety (winter hardiness, immunity to diseases and pests);
- appearance young tree.
A quality seedling must be grafted. This indicates its belonging to varietal plants. Such a tree begins to bear fruit earlier, and the taste of its berries will be better.
It is worth choosing a seedling that has many branches. give correct form its crown will be easier. The tree must have a well-developed and straight conductor. Young cherries grow quickly. If the conductor is weak, stronger branches will compete with it. The presence of several conductors is highly undesirable: if there are a lot of berries on a tree, it can break between them, and the cherry will die.
Carefully inspect the roots of the seedling. There should be no dry and damaged areas on them. A viable seedling has a developed, strong root system. If it is open, after purchase it is placed in damp cloth, and wrapped with oilcloth (polyethylene) on top. This will protect the roots from drying out. Leaves from the branches of the seedling are immediately removed to prevent dehydration.
Buy a seedling better in autumn. At this time, the range of varieties in nurseries is the widest. For the winter, the tree is dug up, and in the spring (in April) it is planted in a permanent place. You can do it right into the dirt. It is not worth delaying planting cherries. It is important to carry it out while the buds on the tree have not yet woken up. That way it will settle down faster. Seedlings growing in containers can be planted in May and even June.
How to plant cherries
Before being placed in the planting pit, the roots of the sweet cherry are carefully examined again. Sick and injured areas are cut out. Too long shoots can be shortened if they do not fit into the prepared pit. Then the underground part of the young sweet cherry is dipped into a bucket of water, where it is kept from 2 to 10 hours, depending on the degree of dryness of its roots. Planting begins when they swell.
The tree is placed in a hole so that its root neck protrudes 5-7 cm from it. Carefully spreading its roots along the mound, they are sprinkled with infertile soil taken from the bottom of the recess. This should be done gradually, from time to time slightly shaking the cherry by the trunk. So near its roots there will be no air-filled cavities.
Having completely filled the hole, pour 1 bucket of water into it. When it is absorbed and the soil settles, the trunk circle is well tamped. A hole is made around the tree with a radius of 30 cm, enclosing it from the outside with a shaft of soil. With inside a shallow (5 cm) furrow is drawn near it and watered well again. As the soil settles in trunk circle she will have to sleep. The final stage is mulching the surface of the hole. Peat or humus is usually used for it.
If the buds on the tree have not yet begun to bloom, after planting, it is pruned. 2-3 skeletal branches are left on the sweet cherry, and the rest are removed to the ring. This should be done flush with the trunk so that no hemp remains. Wounds cover up garden pitch. By placing sweet cherries on the site, in which sap flow has already begun, pruning of its crown is postponed for the next year.
Feeding and watering
For summer residents who already have fruit trees in the garden, caring for cherries will seem familiar. It includes the usual activities:
- watering;
- soil loosening;
- weeding;
- removal of root shoots;
- top dressing;
If you plant cherries correctly, the need for re-introduction of potassium-phosphorus compounds into the soil will arise only after 3 years. nitrogen fertilizers the tree begins to be fed earlier, when the second year of their life on the site goes. In dry form, they are brought in in the spring, as soon as it gets warmer. At the end of May, feeding is repeated, but already in liquid form. When the tree is 4 years old, the soil under it is enriched with phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements. The compositions containing them are applied in the middle of summer.
Closer to autumn, the trees are watered organic fertilizers- mullein or bird droppings dissolved in water. AT last time for the season, cherries are fed before winter - in September-October. They are guided here by the appearance of the trees: if the leaves turn yellow and begin to fly around, the time has come to add nutritional compounds. Close them into the soil in the process of digging, deepening into the ground by 10 cm.
Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the soil under and between the trees. When loosening, you need to process an 8-10 cm layer of soil. Such care is repeated 3-5 times per season. It is desirable to carry it out the next day after each watering or rain. It is convenient to use a garden hoe or cultivator for loosening.
During the growing season, sweet cherries need at least 3 waterings:
- before flowering;
- in the middle of summer, especially if it is dry;
- in the fall, at the same time as the last feeding.
Before the procedure, it is recommended to loosen the soil under the trees, and after it - to mulch. Autumn watering is required. It should be plentiful so that the water soaks the soil by 70-80 cm. This will protect the cherry from freezing. Cold-resistant crop varieties do not tolerate drought well. In extreme heat, such a cherry often dries up. Having found such symptoms, you can’t hesitate, otherwise you won’t be able to save the tree. Regular and plentiful watering will help him withstand adverse weather conditions.
crown formation
Most questions from gardeners are pruning cherries. The guidance of professionals will help to perform it correctly and as painlessly as possible for the tree. Whatever goals - sanitary or shaping - pruning pursues, it is better to do it in early spring until sap flow has begun. In summer and autumn, you can continue what you started, getting rid of shoots thickening the crown and pinching the tops of incorrectly growing branches. Basal shoots are removed during the entire growing season so that it does not draw strength from the tree.
Annual pruning of cherries allows you to:
- increase its productivity;
- improve the quality of berries;
- prevent the development of diseases;
- increase the lifespan of a tree.
In the gardens of Siberia, sweet cherries are given the shape of a bush. So the tree is easier to withstand harsh winters. The optimal number of trunks is 3-5. The top of an annual seedling is shortened over 5-6 buds. This pruning stimulates the development of the lower side branches. Cherry is prone to tillering by nature. If you do not get rid of the strong shoots that grow above the graft, it will quickly acquire the desired appearance.
A young tree is formed during the first 5-6 years. During this time, you need to lay several tiers (usually 3). In the future, pruning is carried out for sanitary purposes. The height of the tree is maintained within 3-3.5 m, and the length of its skeletal branches is at the level of 4 m. The crushing of berries and the formation of ovaries only on the periphery of the crown indicates the need for rejuvenating pruning. It is carried out at the end of winter-beginning of spring.
Features of autumn care
With the advent of autumn, you need to take preventive measures against diseases and pests. Fallen leaves are raked up and burned. Trees and the soil under them are sprayed with special preparations, their trunks are whitened to the level of the trunk. It is desirable to process the bases of skeletal branches.
When the trees are completely exposed, the last pruning of the season is carried out. To make the cherry easier to endure frost, it is relieved of weak, injured and improperly growing shoots. annual shoots cut to ⅓ length. Non-skeletal branches are shortened to 30 cm. At this time, it is better to use a saw instead of a pruner. The sections remaining after it are tightened faster. The process must be completed by the end of September. Late pruning is fraught with long-healing wounds that make it difficult for the tree to winter. Seedlings are subjected to it in the second year of life on the site. It is dangerous to prune younger trees before winter, it is better to postpone the procedure until spring.
The cherry affected by frost dries up in the spring, and its trunk can become covered with cracks through which the infection easily penetrates. To protect the seedlings, they are fenced with a kind of fence of stakes and, carefully pulling the branches together, are placed under the covering material.
With a competent approach to choosing a variety, growing sweet cherries in the gardens of the middle lane, the Urals and Siberia will not be difficult for their owners. If you properly care for him, the tree lives on the site for a century, entering the fruiting period early. A recent seedling will bring the first berries in 5-6 years. It will take another 4-5 years, and the crops will become full. Watering, fertilizing and regular pruning trees will allow him not to reduce their volumes until the end of his long life.
Cherry is familiar to many gardeners. Despite the fact that its fruits are similar to cherries, summer residents prefer to grow both types. Among the advantages of sweet cherry, one can single out increased resistance to certain diseases and pests, which cannot be said about the cherry tree. How to plant cherries suburban area and regularly receive a rich harvest? By choosing suitable variety and a bright place in the garden, a few years after rooting, you can count on getting the first juicy berries.
Sweet cherry - which variety to choose?
A tree needs cross-pollination to set fruit, but there are varieties that are partially self-fertile, high yield they are no different. To get a lot of berries, it is better to plant several specimens on the site, but of a different variety.
- Folk. High yielding and frost-resistant variety, able to painlessly endure even harsh winters. Fruit weight is about 4 g, ripening period - from 1 to 15 July. The tree is capable of self-pollination.
- Syubarovskaya. The tree is tall, with spreading branches, tolerates winter well, has strong immunity. Cross-pollination is necessary for fruit set. The berries are large, sweet, weight up to 5 g.
- Northern. The tree is compact, of medium height, cross-pollination is necessary for fruit set. Harvested after July 10, the variety is resistant to a number of diseases, in particular, to coccomycosis.
Other varieties of cherries are no less popular: Festivalnaya, Krasavitsa, Gronkovaya, Pobeda, Valery Chkalov, Golden Loshitskaya, Liqueurnaya, etc.
Choosing a place on the plot for growing cherries
How to plant cherries and choose the right place in the garden? The tree belongs to heat-loving plants that prefer the southern climate. Therefore, in areas located to the north, you should try to plant cherries on the south side of the site, along the walls of buildings or blind fences. Under the rays of the sun, the walls will heat up and create an optimal microclimate. In addition, such an arrangement of trees on the site will protect them from cold northern winds.
Cherries will not grow in heavy, dense or swampy soils. The best option is a hill with light and fertile soil (loamy soil). Under digging, it is necessary to add fertilizers, both organic and mineral compounds.
Planting hole preparation
The question of how to plant cherries is relevant for most beginner gardeners. For successful growth and development of a young seedling, it is necessary to carefully select the dosage of fertilizers. If there are too many of them, then the tree will begin to grow foliage and many shoots, and you will not have to count on getting the first berries soon.
A large hole is dug, 100x100x85 cm, where 85 cm is the depth. When planting several copies between them, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 3 m, if left less, the trees will shade the other, and as the root system grows, suffer from a lack of micronutrients in the soil.
In the case when the soil in the area is sandy, a couple of garden buckets of clay are laid out at the bottom of the pit, if it is dense, then, on the contrary, coarse-grained river sand. Further, the excavated garden soil is mixed with fertilizers:
- humus, compost or manure - 3 buckets,
- ammonium sulfate - 2kg,
- superphosphate - 3 kg,
- potash fertilizer - 1 kg,
- wood ash - 1 liter jar.
Professionals recommend driving a strong wooden stake into the bottom of the landing pit, it lower part must be fired first to prevent rotting. The stake will act as a support for the fragile seedling. It is recommended to prepare a planting pit in the fall so that the fertilizers have time to partially decompose, and plant a tree in the spring, in good and warm weather.
Purchase, transportation and planting of cherry seedlings
Before planting cherries on the site, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of specialists in choosing a seedling. Purchasing fruit and berry crops, Special attention you need to draw on the root system, and not on the branches. Sweet cherries have fibrous roots, the more active and thicker they have grown, the better. It is not recommended to choose too tall specimens, they take root much worse in a new place. For a 1 year old seedling optimal height stem - from 65 to 80 cm, biennial plants should not exceed one meter.
If the cherry is planted in Plastic container, then there will be no problems with its transportation. seedlings with open roots must be wrapped in wet canvas and then in a piece polyethylene film to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture. Arriving at the site, the roots of the tree are placed in a container of water. You can add a drug that stimulates root formation to the water, select the dosage according to the attached instructions.
Perhaps the main question that worries beginners is how to plant cherries in a planting hole? The technology of planting cherries is not much different from the rooting of other fruit and berry crops. At the bottom of the planting pit, it is necessary to form a mound, it will be more convenient to distribute the roots of the plant along it. The root neck should rise 3-4 cm above the ground, when the ground settles, the seedling will take the correct position. Next, the hole is carefully covered with soil mixture, periodically tamping so that there are no air cavities left. Having compacted the soil, at a distance of about 30 cm from the trunk, they make an embankment (roller) so that water does not spill over the entire area during irrigation. At the end of the work, the soil is moistened, and the trunk of the tree is carefully tied to the peg with a flap soft tissue so as not to damage the bark.
Features of caring for cherries after planting
Knowing how to plant cherries, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of its cultivation. To care for a young tree, it is important to know how to form a crown, provide watering and additional nutrition.
The next spring, the seedling must be cut. Sometimes two-year-old seedlings are pruned in the year of planting, however, the procedure should be carried out carefully so as not to ruin the young plant. It is necessary to select 4–6 skeletal branches, and then form a crown, focusing on them. In the first 5 years, it is recommended to carry out only light, sanitary pruning, the tree should grow enough green mass. In the future, you can cut off improperly growing branches and form a crown at your discretion. Places of cuts of lignified branches must be treated with garden pitch to prevent infection.
You need to water the tree as needed, depending on the weather conditions for the season, the procedure is carried out from 3 to 6 times. To keep the soil moist longer, the near-stem circle is covered with a layer of mulch: sawdust, wood chips, mowed grass. In addition, gradually decomposing, natural material will become one of the sources of power.
How to plant cherries and grow a beautiful fruit-bearing tree? To get a harvest, you need to fertilize the tree in a timely manner. Minerals are best dissolved in water and watered around the trunk circle. The irrigation radius should be about 80 cm, the roots located near the trunk are practically unable to absorb microelements. If a sufficient amount of fertilizer was applied during planting, then the first top dressing is carried out only in the third year.
At good care cherries will begin to bear fruit after 3 or 4 years, and berries grown on their own plot will be not only tasty, but also healthy.
Video how to plant cherries
One of the most favorite plants of Russian summer residents is the sweet cherry, which equally successfully takes root in any region of Russia. It is real to meet her both in the Moscow region and in the Urals, and in the warm southern regions. But this fruit tree is not as unpretentious as it might seem at first glance. How to plant it in the spring in order to always get a good harvest? You will learn about this from our walkthrough below.
Step one: autumn preparation for planting
To plant cherries in the spring and be sure that the tree will take root well, you need to take a little time to prepare the soil in the autumn. Firstly, you need to choose the right place so that the plant is protected as much as possible from the cold north wind and receives as much energy as possible. large quantity sunlight and heat. The most preferred soil is both loose and moisture-intensive. Perfect for planting a fruit tree, medium loamy and sandy loamy soils that meet these requirements.
In no case do not try to grow cherries in the area where ground water lie too close to the surface. Although this plant loves moisture, it does not tolerate its stagnation - the root system under such conditions begins to rot and the tree dies.
Secondly, in the fall you need to carefully prepare the landing site. To do this, a hole is dug about 60 centimeters deep and at least 80 centimeters wide. The soil at the bottom of the pit is loosened and covered with a layer of humus (one or two buckets will be enough). Then the fertilizer is mixed with the topsoil and left to winter.
Step two: spring preparations
Fertilization will also be required in the spring to get big harvest the very next year. It is best to add about one kilogram to the pit wood ash, as well as 300-400 grams of superphosphate. Thoroughly mix the soil and proceed to the preparation of planting material.
Carefully inspect the seedling. If it is slightly dry, then before planting, soak it in water for about 8-10 hours so that the root system has time to be well saturated with moisture. Pre-cut the roots so that their length does not exceed 10 centimeters, and also remove rotten and diseased processes.
In order for the cherry to take root perfectly in a new place for itself, you can also recommend making a composition of manure, clay and black soil. The roots of the plant are dipped into it for several minutes immediately before immersion in the pit.
In addition, before planting a seedling, you need to trim the branches a little. This procedure is only advisable when you plant a tree in early spring. Otherwise, it is better to postpone it to March next year so as not to harm the tree.
Step three: plant a tree in the ground and apply fertilizer
If you want to plant a columnar cherry correctly, then remember that planting too deep is unacceptable for this plant. Therefore, it is necessary to raise the seedling a few centimeters so that its root neck is flush with the ground.
At first, the root system is buried only up to half. At the same time, it is necessary to constantly shake off the earth from the seedling and carefully monitor that it fills absolutely all the free space between the roots.
After planting, you need to make a small hole around the tree and pour a bucket of water into it. Then we mulch the soil, using for this purpose sawdust, peat or humus. It is very desirable to tie the seedling to a peg driven into the ground to protect it from the wind.
Fertilizers for sweet cherries should be applied in the spring, around the end of April - beginning of May. The thing is that the plant responds very well to top dressing, which provokes its violent growth. In the autumn period, it is completely impractical, since the resistance of trees to cold weather can be reduced to a minimum.
In the spring, under the tree, increased doses of nitrogenous fertilizers and fresh manure should be applied. Closer to winter, only superphosphate can be used to prepare for frost, which is applied in the amount of 60 grams per square meter of crown projection area.
Cherry care features
Properly planting a fruit tree, following all the above recommendations, is not at all difficult. But in order to ensure a good harvest from year to year, to completely eliminate the death of the plant due to severe cold weather, it will be necessary to provide it with competent care. It includes:
- annual sanitary pruning, which should be carried out exclusively in early spring, even before the buds swell. This procedure involves the removal of dry and diseased branches, as well as the processing of sections with a special putty;
- formative pruning, which also needs to be done in the spring to keep the tree from overgrowth;
- protection against rodents, whitewashing trunks. In addition, the plant must be protected from winter cold by covering the bases of all skeletal branches with coniferous spruce branches;
- the use of a variety of methods to scare away birds that love to feast on sweet cherries.
We are confident that our guide with colorful photos and videos will help you plant cherries properly and protect them from any aggressive influences. environment and annually receive from the tree excellent harvest delicious sweet fruit.
Sweet cherries do not lose popularity among gardeners. The emergence of new varieties with a high level of survival only further expanded the geography of cultivation of this tree. The article contains video and photo instructions, advice from summer residents and step by step recommendations how to properly plant and care for garden tree spring.
What is the correct process of spring planting cherries
Decorate your site during flowering and delight with sweet and juicy fruits. Seedlings are usually planted in autumn or spring - this is the optimal time. spring planting will give the tree more chances to fully take root before winter, survive and develop normally. It is planting in the spring that is recommended for central Russia.
The correct procedure consists of the following aspects:
- purchase or preparation of a seedling;
- choice of landing site;
- timing;
- disembarkation process and its features.
Buying or preparing a seedling
The main advice for purchasing a seedling is to do it in a specialized point of sale, which has permits, or in a nursery. Ideally, a varietal passport should be attached to the sweet cherry, in which the nuances of planting and care are noted. Other recommendations:
- the seedling should not be more than three years old;
- there should be no mechanical damage, unusual spots or cracks on the root and bark;
- the root must consist of at least three branches with a thickness of 2 mm or more.
Attention! Check the root system by making a small cut - a brown hue of the core is a sign of frostbite. Buy only a seedling with buds and make sure it has room for grafting.
You can also grow a tree from a stone yourself, it's not difficult. For this summer, collect "hearts" ripe berries, mix with wet sand and put in the cold. In the spring, plant the seeds in the ground and eventually get a young seedling. True, such a cherry will not be varietal.
To prepare the cherry, follow these steps:
- Cut off the damaged parts of the root.
- Soak the root if it is dry.
- Remove all leaves. They will take moisture from a young tree, which will affect its growth and strengthening in the ground.
A tree for spring planting should be bought in the fall. At this time in the market fruit trees big choice, and you can control the storage of cherries for spring.
Advice. It is best to dig a seedling for the winter: make a half-meter deepening in the ground and put a tree in it at an angle of 45 ° C. The top should be directed to the south. Cover the seedling well with earth and fill it with plenty of water - the softened earth will stick to the bark and roots and protect them from frost.
Choosing a place and time for landing
Choose a place taking into account the fact that the tree is thermophilic. The site must meet the following conditions:
- well lit;
- be protected from northern winds and drafts;
- be on an elevated place or an artificial embankment;
- contain fertile soil with the substances necessary for cherries;
- have moderately moist, loose soil that passes oxygen well;
- do not contain crushed stone or clay in the composition of the soil;
- side by side with another sweet cherry or cherry for good pollination;
- be at least 7 m away from the apple tree.
Also make sure that groundwater is not located close to the surface.
Advice. To get a plentiful and high-quality harvest, it is very important to choose the right time. A characteristic sign for spring planting is that the seedling should not yet “wake up” from the winter dormancy. In central Russia, this is usually the period from mid-April to the first week of May.
Step by step instructions for planting cherries
When you have chosen a place and prepared planting material, you can start disembarking:
- Dig a hole. Its parameters are: 0.5 m deep and 1 m wide. In the process, set aside the fertile top layer.
- If there are several seedlings, the step between them should be 2 m or more.
- Mix fertile soil with compost and complex fertilizer and place at the bottom of the hole. First, stick and drive in a high peg for the seedling into the middle of the hole.
- Set the seedling straight. Fill it with earth so that the neck of the root protrudes about 3 cm above the surface. The soil needs to fit tightly around the root, excluding voids, so it’s worth lightly tamping the soil with your foot during the digging process.
- Protect the tree with an earthen roller. Pour 20 liters of water into the middle.
- Sprinkle the soil around the seedling with peat. It will prevent water from evaporating.
- Tie the tree to the stake. The barrel must not be overstretched.
Cherry transplantation is carried out only in the spring, around mid-March. The seedling is prepared in autumn. If such a need arose, you need to carefully remove the tree from the ground and dig it in a horizontal position, well covered with soil and, if possible, with snow. The depth of the new pit is from 1 m.
The soil under the transplanted tree should be well tamped, poured abundantly with water and sprinkled with peat. Tree branches need to be shortened slightly. Remember, sweet cherry transplantation rarely ends in success, so it is better to foresee all the factors in advance and not change the “residence” of the tree.
Cherry planting: photo
