Cherry seedling: how to water, how many times and with what

Cherries should be watered abundantly only for 1 season, immediately after rooting. Seedlings need large volumes of water (2-3 times a month) and top dressing, especially in dry weather. Starting from season 2, the frequency is reduced to 1-2 times a month, with the exception of the hot season. Adult bushes aged 5 years and older do not need additional watering – they usually have enough rainfall. But periodically it is worth checking the soil with your finger – drying out of the soil is unacceptable.

Do cherries need to be watered?

Cherry is a drought-resistant plant, but it still needs additional (artificial) watering. It is especially important to give water in such cases:

1. Seedlings during the first year of life – they need watering 1,5-2 buckets every 2 weeks.
2. In summer in dry, hot weather. At this time, water is given about 2 times a month (for adult bushes) and weekly for one-year-old seedlings.
3. At the stage of fruit formation, the volumes of liquid are increased only if necessary (the soil is very dry at a depth of 5-6 cm).
4. In September: If you give the plant a lot of water, it will survive the winter frosts much better.

Judging by the experience of summer residents, the older the bush, the less watering it needs. If young seedlings are moistened regularly (2-3 times a month, and in hot weather weekly and sometimes even more often), then bushes from the age of 3 years should be moistened only as the soil dries.

Adult cherries (5-10 years and older) do not need watering at all, except for periods of prolonged drought.

How often should cherries be watered

The frequency and volume of watering depends on both the season and the age of the tree. For example, watering cherries after planting in the spring should be weekly or 2-3 times a month. Seedlings, starting from season 2, are given water only as the soil dries. The main criterion is the humidity of the earth. If at a depth of 5-6 cm (the size of the little finger) it remains noticeably wet, then the volume of water is sufficient.

If the soil is too moist, the dirt sticks to the finger, watering should be stopped immediately, and after a week, a second “measurement” should be carried out. Waterlogging has a detrimental effect on the plant – it often causes cherry roots to rot. Therefore, in general, it is better to regulate the volume according to actual indicators.

How often to water cherries in spring

The main watering in the spring is done in warm weather (April-May). Moreover, young, just rooted seedlings should be watered especially abundantly – at least 1 time per week. This mode of watering cherries continues in spring and summer. In all cases, the same volume is used – 15-20 liters of water (1,5-2 buckets per 1 cherry).

From the second year of life onwards, there is no longer a special need to water cherries in the spring. Now you can give 2 liters of water only in case of warm days in April and May, when the surface and squat soil layer has become almost completely dry. Frequency – once every 2 weeks or less (if it rains).

How often to water cherries in summer

In the summer season, special attention is paid to watering cherries. Seedlings of the first year should be given 1-2 buckets 2 times a month, except for rainy weather. If the soil has become too wet, you can skip 1 week and then navigate according to the situation.

If there is a prolonged drought, intense heat for several days in a row, it is necessary to increase both the volume of watering and its frequency. Cherry seedlings at the age of 1 year are given 2 buckets, adult bushes over 3 years old – from 3 to 6 buckets of water. This mode of watering continues 1-2 times a month. In rare cases, water is given even more often, weekly. But in general, a single supply of water, for example, on weekends, is quite sufficient.

Almost all varieties of cherries are highly drought-resistant, but if water is not given in hot summer, the yield will decrease, and the fruits will become small.

How often should cherries be watered in autumn

Despite the fact that in autumn the cherry is preparing for a dormant period, it still needs abundant watering – about the same as in summer. The fact is that if the tree is well watered before frost, it will survive the winter cold much better. This is especially true for regions with extremely cold winters.

Irrigation mode is as follows:

1. In warm weather (September and Indian summer), they are watered 2-3 times a month so that the soil remains moderately moist at a depth of 5-6 cm.
2. The last abundant watering is given immediately after the tree has completely shed its leaves.

If this is not possible, you can organize watering cherries in September on a daily basis throughout the week. The volume of water in this case is 2 buckets per bush. Then the water supply should be completely stopped – the plant should have time to prepare for winter. At this point, the exchange processes begin to slow down.

How to water cherries when planting

When planting, the seedling is watered with settled, sufficiently warm water (room temperature or higher). It is better to keep it under the sun or indoors for at least a day. The volume for the first watering immediately after planting is about 2-3 buckets (20-30 l) per 1 seedling.

The sequence of actions is simple:

1. Dig a hole of the desired size and depth.
2. Lay a fertile layer of soil.
3. A cherry seedling is placed in the center.
4. Sprinkle with earth.
5. Pour 2 liters of pre-settled (within 12-24 hours) water.

At the same time, it is not necessary to immediately give nitrogen fertilizers or lime, since they can harm the root system of the plant. Therefore, it should be watered with ordinary water – without adding dressings.

The landing pit is immediately plentifully watered with 2-3 buckets of water.

How to water cherries

It is better to use settled water for irrigation – for example, aged overnight, several days or rain, stored in an open-air container. Well water can also be used, but it must first be warmed to room temperature.

Watering methods are chosen depending on the age of the tree:

1. Seedlings need special care. The best option is sprinkling irrigation (using a rotating sprayer). If there is no running water and other equipment nearby, you can get by with a watering can.

   

2. Adult bushes aged 5-10 years and older can be watered in the traditional way – with water from buckets. However, the pressure should be medium in strength – water from the bucket is gradually poured onto the near-stem circle, the liquid is absorbed, after which a new portion is given. The easiest way to do this is with a watering can.

   

3. If you have running water, you can also water with a hose. In this case, it is also necessary to regulate the pressure, and most importantly, to correctly determine the volume of water.

   

4. Finally, the most advanced method is drip irrigation, when water is supplied directly to the roots through small droppers. But cherry is a non-capricious culture, so it does not feel a special need for such watering.

   

Is it possible to water cherries during flowering

Watering cherries during flowering is required. This period usually falls in the first half of May (and in the southern regions, the first flowers appear already at the end of April). Therefore, you should not give too much water. Usually 3-5 buckets per 1 bush are enough with a regularity of 2 times a month.

The only exceptions are those cases when already in May (and sometimes in April) there is hot, dry weather for a long time. The criterion for drought is exactly the same – you need to check the top layer of soil 5-6 cm deep. If it has become almost dry, then you need to add 30-50 l.

Tips from experienced gardeners

Experienced gardeners often do not adhere to a strict watering regime, but simply pay attention to precipitation, the condition of the soil and the bush itself. In addition, they use certain practical methods to avoid a large loss of water. Therefore, you can pay attention to some practical advice from summer residents:

1. Every spring and every autumn (before the onset of frost), the root circle must be mulched. To do this, pour a layer of needles, sawdust, peat up to 6-7 cm high. Mulch protects against rapid loss of moisture in hot summers and from strong cooling of the soil in winter.
2. During fertilizing, the soil must be moistened with 1-2 buckets of water – then mineral and organic substances will be much better absorbed by the roots.
3. Adult bushes (5-10 years and older) practically do not need watering – you can give water only in extreme cases 2-3 times per season. If the region belongs to the zone of sufficient moisture, even this can be omitted.
4. Since the seedlings of the first year of life need a lot of water, it is necessary to create a circular depression with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of up to 20 cm. Then the water will remain in this “groove”, and the number of waterings can be reduced to 1-2 per month.

The presence of a small depression in the near-stem circle prevents water loss, so that the soil stays moist longer

Conclusion

Cherries need to be watered properly. For this, any settled water at room temperature or a little warmer (25-27 degrees) is suitable. Volumes are adjusted depending on the condition of the soil. In any case, it is worth remembering the rule: young seedlings love frequent and plentiful watering, and adult bushes usually have enough natural rainfall.