Saplings will grow best if planted in fertile soil with good drainage. It is also advisable to loosen and moisten the soil. A good result can be achieved if young seedlings are planted in loamy or sandy soil, since they perfectly conduct oxygen and water, which are so needed by the roots of the tree. But sweet cherries will not grow in sour peat bogs.
Cherry seedlings
When choosing a place, take into account the location of groundwater - if they are located too close to the surface, there is a high probability 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 explore the basic guidelines and learn how to care for a plant.
Regardless of the type of soil, preparation for planting cherries must be started in advance. So, 20 days before disembarking, dig up the site thoroughly. When digging, do not forget to apply fertilizers that can make the soil even more fertile. For every square meter soil you need to add about 10 kg of manure or compost. When introducing 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 with high soil acidity? In this case, it will have to be "extinguished" using lime. For sandy loam 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 to use lime and mineral fertilizers- these elements can react, as a result of which their effectiveness will be reduced.
Now let's move on to preparation clay soil... In addition to fertilizers, which we talked about above, mix the soil with the opposite type of soil. For example, add to the clay river sand, to the sand - clay. However, such preparation should be carried out 2 years before planting the seedlings.
We start preparing the pit 2 weeks before planting the seedlings. The depth of the hole should be at least 0.6 meters, width - up to 1 meter, but it also depends on the size of the root system. It is best to dig a rectangular hole, throwing 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 the weight of the snow on the branches.
A hole with a stake for planting a cherry tree
The top layer, considered the most fertile, is mixed with fertilizers. At the same time, remember that during planting of the seedling no fertilizers with nitrogen or lime should be applied to the soil! Such additives will slow down the survival rate of the seedling in a new place. You can use 3 buckets of humus, compost also works well for young cherry seedlings. Among the mineral fertilizers, choose superphosphate (200 g). Additionally, you can add sulfuric potassium (50 g) or ash (no more than 500 g).
Mix all the ingredients and pour into the bottom of the hole in the form of a small hill, then fill in the remaining soil and tamp. Such careful preparation will further simplify the care of the tree.
If the cherry can be planted from the 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 harvests, although, of course, there are exceptions. After all, it is through the selection of 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 there should be a main branch, from which the rest depart - a conductor. If it is absent, the cherry will develop poorly and branch, 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 dissolving it will have competitors. Therefore, you will have to remove them, leaving the strongest one. It is best to choose sturdy two-year-old seedlings. Examine the roots - they should not be damaged, dried out. When transporting, wrap the entire root system in a damp cloth and wrap with plastic wrap. If there are leaves on the seedling, then it is better to cut them off so that they do not dehydrate young tree.
If it comes about the northern regions, where a predominantly cold climate reigns, it is better to refuse autumn planting - there are great 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 to the south. Sprinkle the roots well with earth. When the frost hits, sprinkle the top of the plants with sand and then cover the seedlings with snow. So you will protect them from freezing. But if you live in the suburbs, then the autumn planting is considered the best option.
What are the advantages of such a landing? First of all, during this period in the suburbs and other cities in the markets you can always find a wide variety of different varieties this fruit tree. Thanks to this, you can choose the variety you need, depending on its qualities.
Planting cherries
The landing time largely depends on the climate, but usually work is carried out 2 weeks before the onset of cold weather. Therefore, we highly recommend that you check the nearest weather forecast so as not to miss a 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, take a good look at the root system. When you see the soaked ends, cut them off. You should also remove roots that do not fit into the hole you have prepared, especially since roots that are too long may not survive the winter. If you notice that the roots are dry, then place them in water for 12 hours. But even if the root system is in order, gardeners recommend still placing them in water for at least 2 hours to keep them hydrated. Disembarkation rules:
- Do not lower the seedling too much into the hole - it is important that the root collar of the tree is located above the ground. You can raise the cherry 5 cm, because after the soil subsides, the seedling will fall into place.
- Spread the roots of the tree well over 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, and then completely bury it with soil.
- After you have covered the hole with the seedling, trample the soil and water the soil well again.
Pruning scheme and watering rules - what do novice gardeners need to know?
It does not matter when and where you planted a cherry seedling - in the Moscow region, other regions of the middle lane or in the northern part, care 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 for an autumn planting, when water may not be enough. Also, the water in the soil will protect the roots from freezing.
Water the plant about once a month, but it also depends on the weather conditions - if the weather is dry, the amount of watering is increased. Only two buckets of water are enough for a young seedling. True, watering cherries in autumn period advise to spend 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. Then you can fertilize young trees again. For example, you can use stubborn humus, adding it along with watering once every 3 years.
And to stimulate the active growth of shoots, it is advisable to use mineral fertilizers, which are usually applied in the third year of the cherry's life. 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 postpone the work in the spring or summer. In this case, the work must be completed before the start of sap flow.
But in the future, every autumn, any work on the care of the seedling will include. Work begins after the foliage has fallen. Moreover, in middle lane it is advisable to hold events before the beginning of October, in the northern regions - until the end of August. And all because when pruning in 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 prune all weak and diseased shoots to ensure that the seedlings have an easier wintering period. We shorten annual branches by 30%, cut off non-skeletal branches to a height of 30 cm.
Wherein autumn pruning it is advisable to use a saw, not a pruner - the cuts from such a tool heal much faster and more painless 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 sacking. 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 stubbornly. This can cause rotting. Also, don't forget to cover the bottom of the trunk with snow, creating an extra layer of insulation. Lay the spruce branches on top to help protect the cherries from small rodents.
Every third summer resident has a cherry on his plot. But the planting of cherries, its closest relative, is much less popular, although many people like its juicy and sweet berries. The reason for this is the well-established opinion about the exceptional thermophilicity of culture. Long time it was true: trees only bore generously 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 regionalized 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 her seedlings in the area that is as illuminated as possible 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 varieties of cherries have a spreading crown, so it is important to leave them enough free space for development. A seedling hole is dug, stepping back from the structure at least 3-4 m.
Trees grow best on small (up to 0.5 m in height) hills, which can be artificially arranged, and in areas slightly inclined towards the south, southwest or southeast.
Here they do not lack light and warmth. You should not plant cherries in lowlands and in those places where water stagnates for a long time in spring. In such conditions, trees die quickly. 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 of groundwater.
The culture grows well and bears fruit in loose soil. Light and fertile sandy loam or loamy soils are ideal for her. They should be sufficiently moist, but not waterlogged. On peat bogs, in heavy clay soil, on rapidly drying sand with a scarce reserve nutrients planting cherries will not be successful.
Landing time and scheme
The timing of placing trees on the site depends on the climate of the area. In the southern regions, they often practice autumn planting, carrying it out several 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 is a cross-pollinated crop. 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 culture. You can do with one, but only if you place a couple of cherries with the same flowering time next to the cherry. This guide also applies to partially self-fertile crop varieties.
4-5 m of free space is left between adjacent trees. Space saving is not here the best way... When planted closer, the trees will shade each other. Caring for them will also be complicated. If the cherry is columnar, the distance between the plants is reduced to 1 m.When planting such trees in rows, the interval between them should be made equal to 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 deeply and enriched with fertilizers:
- compost (10 kg);
- superphosphate (180 g);
- potassium nitrate (100 g).
These dosages are calculated for 1 m² of the area of the site. You can add a special complex preparation intended for cherries and sweet cherries to the soil. Soil with an acidic reaction is limed. It is recommended to do this in advance - 7-10 days before the introduction of nutrient formulations. Clay or sandy soil for growing cherries is 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. This can be done 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 installed in the center. Correctly, if it rises above the surface of the soil by 30-50 cm.Fertile soil is poured onto the bottom of the pit, adding the following components to it:
- rotted compost;
- superphosphate;
- potassium sulfate;
- wood ash.
The thoroughly mixed substrate should form a slight 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.
Having slightly tamped the soil mixture, sprinkle it with infertile soil on top. Having leveled it well, they 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. Humus or compost is added 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. They start placing seedlings in them in a week.
Sapling 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, the presence of 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 its berries will taste better.
It is worth stopping the choice on a seedling that has many branches. To give correct shape its crown will be easier. The tree must have a well-developed and straight conductor. Young cherries grow quickly. If the conductor is weak, the stronger branches will compete with it. The presence of several conductors is highly undesirable: if a lot of berries are tied on a tree, it can break between them, and the cherry will die.
The roots of the seedling are also carefully examined. 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 wet cloth, and wrapped on top with oilcloth (polyethylene). 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 assortment of varieties in nurseries is the widest. For the winter, the tree is buried in, and in the spring (in April) they are planted in a permanent place. You can do it right into the mud. You should not delay planting cherries. It is important to carry it out while the buds on the tree have not yet woken up. So it will take root faster. Seedlings growing in containers can be planted in May and even June.
How to plant cherries
Before being placed in the planting hole, the cherry roots are carefully examined again. Sick and injured areas are excised. You can shorten shoots that are too long if they do not fit into the prepared pit. Then the underground part of the young cherry is dipped in a bucket of water, where it is kept from 2 to 10 hours, depending on the degree of dryness of its roots. They start planting when they swell.
The tree is placed in a hole so that its root collar protrudes from it by 5-7 cm. Carefully spreading its roots over a mound, they are sprinkled with infertile soil taken from the bottom of the depression. This should be done gradually, from time to time, slightly shaking the cherries by the trunk. So near its roots there will be no cavities filled with air.
Having completely filled up the pit, 1 bucket of water is poured 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 around it and watered well again. As the soil subsides in near-trunk circle you will have to add it. 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 cherry, and the rest are removed on the ring. This must be done flush with the trunk so that hemp does not remain. The wounds are covered up garden pitch... Placing a sweet cherry on the site, in which sap flow has already begun, pruning its crown is postponed for the next year.
Top dressing 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;
- loosening the soil;
- weeding;
- removal of root growth;
- top dressing;
If you plant cherries correctly, the need to reintroduce potassium-phosphorus compounds into the soil will arise only after 3 years. Nitrogen fertilizers the tree begins to feed 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 in liquid form. When the tree is 4 years old, the soil under it is enriched with phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements. Compositions containing them are brought in in the middle of summer.
Closer to autumn, the trees are watered organic fertilizers- mullein or bird droppings dissolved in water. V last time during the season, cherries are fed before winter - in September-October. They are guided here by the appearance of the trees: if the leaves turned yellow and began to fly around, the time has come for the introduction of nutrient compositions. They are buried in the soil during the digging process, going 10 cm deep into the ground.
Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the soil under and between trees. When loosening, you need to process an 8-10 cm layer of soil. This care is repeated 3-5 times per season. It is advisable to spend it the next day after each watering or rain. It is convenient to use a garden hoe or cultivator for loosening.
During the growing season, cherries need at least 3 waterings:
- before flowering;
- in the middle of summer, especially if it is dry;
- in the fall, simultaneously with 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 abundant so that the water saturates the soil by 70-80 cm. This will protect the cherries from freezing. Cold-resistant crop varieties do not tolerate drought well. In extreme heat, such cherries often dry out. Having discovered such symptoms, you cannot hesitate, otherwise it will not be possible to save the tree. Regular and abundant watering will help him withstand adverse weather conditions.
Crown formation
Cherry pruning raises the most questions for gardeners. To carry it out correctly and as painlessly as possible for the tree, the guidance of professionals will help. Whatever goals - sanitary or formative - pruning pursues, it is better to do it in early spring, while the sap flow has not yet begun. In summer and autumn, you can continue what you started, getting rid of the shoots thickening the crown and pinching the tops of improperly growing branches. The root shoots are removed during the entire growing season so that they do not draw forces from the tree.
Annual pruning of cherries allows you to:
- increase its yield;
- improve the quality of berries;
- prevent the development of diseases;
- increase the lifespan of the tree.
In the gardens of Siberia, cherries are given the shape of a bush. This makes it easier for the tree 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 lateral branches. Cherries are naturally prone to tillering. If you do not get rid of the strong shoots that grow over the graft, it will quickly take on the desired appearance itself.
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. Grinding of berries and the formation of ovaries only on the periphery of the crown indicates the need for rejuvenating pruning. It is carried out in late winter and early spring.
Features of autumn care
With the arrival of autumn, you need to take preventive measures against diseases and pests. The fallen leaves are raked up and burned. Trees and the soil under them are sprayed with special preparations, their trunks are whitewashed to the level of the trunk. It is desirable to process the bases of skeletal branches.
When the trees are completely bare, 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 of the length. Non-skeletal branches are shortened to 30 cm. At this time, it is better to use a saw instead of a secateurs. The sections remaining after it are tightened faster. The procedure 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. Saplings are exposed 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.
Cherry that has suffered from frost dries up in spring, and its trunk can become covered with cracks, through which infection easily penetrates. To protect the seedlings, they are fenced off with a kind of fence made of stakes and, carefully pulling off the branches, are placed under the covering material.
With a competent approach to choosing a variety, growing sweet cherries in the gardens of the middle zone, the Urals and Siberia will not be difficult for their owners. If you take care of it correctly, the tree lives on the site for a whole century, early entering the fruiting period. A recent seedling will bear its first berries in 5-6 years. It will take another 4-5 years, and the harvest will be full. Watering, feeding and regular pruning trees will allow him not to reduce their volumes until the end of his long life.
Sweet cherry is familiar to many gardeners. Despite the fact that its fruits are similar to cherries, summer residents prefer to grow both species. Among the advantages of cherries, one can single out increased resistance to certain diseases and pests, which cannot be said about the cherry tree. How to plant cherries on summer cottage and regularly get a rich harvest? By choosing suitable grade 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?
To set fruit, the tree needs cross-pollination, but there are varieties that are partially self-fertile, high yield they are not different. To get a lot of berries, it is better to plant several specimens on the site, but of different varieties.
- People's. High-yielding and frost-resistant variety, is 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 a strong immunity. Cross-pollination is required for fruit set. The berries are large, sweet, weight up to 5 g.
- North. 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, Zolotaya Loshitskaya, Likernaya, etc.
Choosing a place on the site for growing cherries
How to plant cherries and choose the right place in the garden? The tree is a thermophilic plant that prefers a southern climate. Therefore, in areas located to the north, you need to try to plant cherries on the south side of the site, along the walls of buildings or blank 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 northerly winds.
Sweet cherries will not grow on heavy, dense, or swampy soils. The best option is a hill with light and fertile soil (loamy soil). For digging, it is imperative to add fertilizers, both organic and mineral compounds.
Planting pit preparation
The question of how to plant cherries is relevant for most novice summer residents. For the 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 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 specimens between them, it is necessary to maintain a distance of 3 m, if you leave less, then the trees will shade each other, and as the root system grows, it will suffer from a lack of micronutrients in the soil.
In the case when the soil on the site is sandy, a couple of garden clay buckets are laid on the bottom of the pit, if it is dense, then, on the contrary, coarse river sand. Next, the dug 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 can.
Professionals recommend driving a strong wooden stake into the bottom of the planting pit, it lower part should be pre-burned to prevent rotting. The stake will act as a support for the immature seedling. It is recommended to prepare the planting hole in the fall, so that the fertilizers have time to partially decompose, and to plant the tree in the spring, in good and warm weather.
Purchase, transportation and planting of cherry seedlings
Before planting cherries on the site, you must familiarize yourself with the recommendations of specialists for choosing a seedling. By purchasing fruit and berry crops, Special attention needs to be pointed to the root system, not the branches. Cherry has fibrous roots, the more actively and thicker they grow, the better. It is not recommended to choose too tall specimens, they take root much worse in a new place. For a seedling at the age of 1 year 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. Saplings with open roots must be wrapped in a wet canvas cloth and then in a piece plastic film to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture. Arriving at the site, the roots of the tree are placed in a container with water. A drug that stimulates root formation can be added to the water, the dosage can be selected according to the attached instructions.
Perhaps the main question that worries beginners is how to plant cherries in a planting pit? 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 over it. The root collar should rise 3-4 cm above the ground, when the ground subsides, the seedling will take the correct position. Further, the hole is carefully covered with a 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, a mound (roller) is made 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 a 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 growing them. 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 pruned. 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 the 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 incorrectly growing branches and form the crown at your discretion. Places of cuts of lignified branches must be treated with garden varnish in order to prevent infection.
It is necessary to water the tree as needed, depending on the weather conditions during the season, the procedure is carried out from 3 to 6 times. To keep the soil moistened longer, the peri-stem circle is covered with a layer of mulch: sawdust, wood chips, grass cuttings. In addition, gradually decomposing, natural material will become one of the power sources.
How to plant cherries and grow a beautiful, fruiting tree? To obtain a harvest, you need to fertilize the tree in a timely manner. It is better to dissolve minerals in water and water the periosteal circle. The irrigation radius should be about 80 cm, the roots located at the trunk are practically unable to absorb trace elements. If a sufficient amount of fertilizer was applied during planting, then the first feeding 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 beloved plants of Russian summer residents is cherry, which is equally successful in any region of Russia. It is possible to find it 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 correctly in the spring to always get a good harvest? You will learn about this from our step by step guide 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 devote some time to preparing the soil in the fall. First, you need to choose the right place so that the plant is protected as much as possible from the cold north wind and gets as much large quantity sunlight and heat. The most preferred soil is both loose and moisture-consuming. Perfect for planting a fruit tree, medium loamy and sandy loam soils that meet these requirements.
Never try to grow cherries in an area where groundwater are 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. For 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 up and covered with a layer of humus (one or two buckets will be enough). Then the fertilizer is mixed with the topsoil and remains overwintered.
Step two: spring preparatory work
In the spring, fertilization will also be required to obtain 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. Mix the soil thoroughly and start preparing the planting material.
Examine the seedling carefully. If it is slightly dry, then soak it in water for about 8-10 hours before planting 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 well 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 a few minutes just before immersion in the pit.
In addition, before planting a seedling, you need to prune the branches a little. This procedure is only advisable when you are planting the 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 the 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 collar is flush with the ground.
At first, the root system is buried only halfway. In this case, it is necessary to constantly shake off the soil from the seedling and carefully ensure 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 provide protection from the wind.
Fertilizers for cherries should be applied in the spring, around the end of April - beginning of May. The thing is that the plant reacts very well to feeding, which provokes its violent growth. In the autumn period, it is completely inappropriate, since the resistance of trees to cold weather can be reduced to a minimum.
In spring, higher doses of nitrogenous fertilizers and fresh manure should be applied under the tree. Closer to winter, to prepare for frost, you can use only superphosphate, which is applied in an amount of 60 grams per square meter of the crown projection area.
Features of cherry care
Planting a fruit tree correctly, following all the recommendations above, is not at all difficult. But in order to ensure a good harvest from year to year, to completely exclude 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 performed exclusively in early spring, even before the buds swell. This procedure involves the removal of dry and diseased branches, as well as processing the sections with a special putty;
- Formative pruning, which also needs to be done in the spring to contain tree overgrowth
- protection from rodents, whitewashing of trunks. In addition, the plant must be protected from the winter cold by covering the bases of all skeletal branches with coniferous spruce branches;
- using a variety of methods to scare away birds that love to feast on the fruits of cherries.
We are confident that our guide with colorful photos and videos will help you plant cherries correctly, protect them from any aggressive influences. environment and annually receive from the tree excellent harvest delicious sweet fruits.
Sweet cherry does not lose its popularity among gardeners. The emergence of new varieties with a high level of survival rate has 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 plant and care for garden tree in the spring.
What the correct process of spring planting of cherries consists of
Will decorate your site during flowering and delight 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 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.
Purchase or preparation of a seedling
The main advice for purchasing a seedling is to do it in a specialized point of sale having permits, or in the nursery. Ideally, cherries should be accompanied by a varietal passport, which indicates the nuances of planting and care. 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 should consist of at least three branches with a thickness of 2 mm or more.
Attention! Check the root system with a small cut - a brown heart is a sign of frostbite. Buy only a seedling with buds and make sure there is a place for grafting on it.
You can also grow a tree from a bone yourself, it is not difficult. To do this, in the summer, collect "hearts" ripe berries, mix with wet sand and put in cold. In the spring, plant the seeds in the ground and get a young seedling over time. True, such cherries will not be varietal.
To prepare the cherries, follow these steps:
- Trim off any spoiled root portions.
- Soak the root if dry.
- Remove all leaves. They will pick up moisture from a young tree, which will affect its growth and strengthening in the ground.
A tree for spring planting should be purchased in the fall. At this time on the market fruit trees big choice, and you yourself can control the storage of cherries for spring.
Advice. It is best to dig in a seedling for the winter: make a half-meter depression in the ground and place the tree in it at an angle of 45 ° C. In this case, 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 boarding
Choose a place taking into account that the tree is thermophilic. The site must meet the following conditions:
- well lit;
- be protected from northerly winds and drafts;
- be on an elevated place or an artificial embankment;
- contain fertile soil with substances necessary for cherries;
- have a moderately moist, loose soil that allows oxygen to pass through well;
- do not contain crushed stone or clay in the soil;
- coexist with other cherries or cherries for good pollination;
- be at a distance of at least 7 m from the apple tree.
Also, make sure that the groundwater is not close to the surface.
Advice. Timing is very important to get a bountiful and high-quality harvest. A characteristic feature for spring planting is that the seedling should not yet "wake up" from the winter state of 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. Set aside the fertile top layer in the process.
- If there are several seedlings, the step between them should be 2 m or more.
- Mix fertile soil with compost and compound fertilizer and place on the bottom of the hole. First, stick in the middle of the hole and drive in a high peg for the seedling.
- Set the seedling straight. Cover it with earth so that the neck of the root protrudes about 3 cm above the surface. The soil needs to fit tightly to the root, excluding voids, so it is worthwhile to lightly tamp the soil with your foot during the digging process.
- Enclose the tree with an earthen roller. Pour 20 liters of water into the middle.
- Sprinkle peat over the soil near the seedling. It will prevent water from evaporating.
- Tie a tree to a peg. In this case, the trunk should not be overtightened.
Sweet cherries are transplanted only in spring, around mid-March. The seedling is prepared in the fall. If such a need arises, you need to carefully remove the tree from the ground and dig it in a horizontal position, well covered with soil and, if possible, 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. The branches of the tree must be shortened slightly. Remember, cherry transplanting rarely ends with success, so it is better to foresee all the factors in advance and not change the "place of residence" of the tree.
Planting cherries: photo
