Contents
Planting an apple tree in the spring with seedlings in the Urals should be carried out taking into account the climate of the region. Only in this case, the tree will be able to fully develop and bear fruit regularly, even despite adverse weather conditions. Therefore, you need to study in advance all the nuances of planting in the spring, so that later there are no problems. Since ignoring the recommendations leads not only to the weakening of the seedling, but also to its death in winter.
Planting an apple tree in spring is preferable in the Urals than in autumn
Climate features in the Urals
The climatic conditions of the Urals are far from ideal for growing apple trees, as they are characterized by harshness and unpredictability. This region is characterized by frequent weather changes, uneven precipitation.
In the summer, in the middle of a sunny day, heavy rain with hail can fall, and gusts of wind suddenly increase. Winters in the Urals are also severe with high frosts. In addition, most of the region is represented by a mountain system. And this means that in the Urals there is mostly stony soil, which is not very fertile. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of apple trees, it is necessary not only to select varieties with high vitality and frost resistance, but also to plant according to the requirements of the crop, creating the most favorable conditions.
When to plant apple trees in spring in the Urals
It is necessary to plant apple trees in the spring when the snow completely melts and the soil warms up to a depth of 15-20 cm. It is important that the seedling does not start growing and the air temperature stays above +5 ° at any time of the day. Therefore, the optimal time for planting apple trees in the spring in the Urals is the beginning of May.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the weather conditions. If frosts are still ahead, then it is recommended to wait a little with planting, otherwise the seedling will die without having time to take root. However, it is impossible to delay the procedure too much. Indeed, in the presence of favorable conditions, the tree will begin to grow, so it will not be able to take root well, since it will waste energy on the development of the crown.
How to plant an apple tree in spring in the Urals
Before you plant an apple tree in the spring in the Urals, you need to choose the right place, as well as prepare a seedling and a hole in advance. After all, the duration of its adaptation in a new place and further development directly depend on this.
Seedlings preparation
For the successful cultivation of apple trees in the Urals, it is necessary to choose seedlings on semi-dwarf and dwarf rootstocks. They are characterized by a compact crown and root system, which is important, given the climatic conditions of the region.
It is recommended to purchase planting material in nurseries and specialized stores. This ensures that the tree will match the selected variety. One- and two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting in the Urals in the spring, as older specimens may not adapt to new conditions, as a result of which they will die. Young apple trees should have a healthy appearance without signs of diseases and pests, as well as a well-developed root system. In the presence of mechanical damage to the bark, it is recommended to refuse the purchase. You also need to check the condition of the roots. Healthy processes on the cut are light and moist without a brown tint.
It is impossible to purchase seedlings for planting, in which buds have begun to bloom
A day before planting an apple tree in the spring in the Urals, it is necessary to put it in water or a root stimulator solution. Soaking the roots with moisture helps to strengthen the growth processes and accelerates the adaptation of the tree to a new place.
Site Selection
For this fruit tree, you need to choose a sunny open place where it will be well lit throughout the day. At the same time, it is important that the site is protected from cold gusts of wind and drafts.
The best option is to plant near a fence or buildings at a distance of 3 m from the south side of the garden. In this case, the apple tree will be able to fully develop, as it will be less susceptible to adverse external factors, but at the same time receive the maximum amount of sunlight.
When choosing a landing site, it is also recommended to take into account the level of groundwater in the area. It must be at least 2 m. Otherwise, after a few years of successful cultivation, the apple tree will die, as water will wash away its roots.
Pit preparation
It is necessary to prepare the hole in advance so that the soil has time to settle. It is best to do this in the fall or at least two weeks before planting in the spring. The pit should be 90 cm deep and 1,2 m in diameter. Lay broken brick or coarse gravel with a layer of 10 cm at the bottom of it. This will prevent constant contact of the roots with moisture even in prolonged rainy weather.
The rest of the hole must be filled to the top with nutrient soil mixture. It should consist of turf, sand, peat, humus, leafy soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:1:1. It is also additionally recommended to add 50 g of superphosphate and 40 g of potassium sulfide, and then thoroughly mix the fertilizer with the ground.
Culture prefers a neutral level of acidity
Landing scheme
Planting an apple tree in the spring in the Urals should be done correctly, according to the standard scheme. After all, the further development of the seedling, its life expectancy and productivity depend on this.
Algorithm of actions when planting in the spring:
- In the center of the hole, make an elevation from the ground.
- Install a strong wooden support next to it.
- Put a seedling on a mound, gently straighten the roots.
- Pour two buckets of water into the hole.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, fill all the voids.
- Compact the soil at the base of the apple tree.
- Tie it to the support with soft elastic twine.
When planting, the root neck of the seedling should be 5 cm above the soil level, and after the earth settles, be in line with it. Its excessive deepening into the ground negatively affects the further development and fruiting. And the location above the permissible level causes the roots to be exposed and freeze in winter.
Permissible distance between trees in the garden and other tall crops 4 m
Care instructions
It is important to know not only how to properly plant an apple tree in the Urals in the spring, but also to provide full-fledged care for the plant in the future, taking into account the requirements of the culture. This will allow the seedling to quickly take root and strengthen the immune system before the upcoming wintering.
You can clearly see how to plant an apple tree in the spring with seedlings in the Urals in the video:
Watering
Watering a young apple tree after planting in the spring in the Urals should be done regularly for the first two months, preventing the root system from drying out. It is recommended to do this weekly with a long absence of rain, using settled water with a temperature of + 15-22 ° C. After each moistening, it is necessary to loosen the soil in the root soil in order to maintain air access to the roots. In the future, the duration between waterings should be doubled.
Adult apple trees in the Urals need moisture much less frequently. Watering is important for them during the period of budding, flowering and fruit formation. When moistened, the wetting of the soil under the crown of the tree should be up to 15 cm.
Additional fertilizing
It is recommended to start feeding apple trees in the Urals only from the third year after planting in the spring. Until then, the seedling will consume the nutrients added to the hole. The first time you can use fertilizers in the spring at the beginning of the growing season. During this period, the use of urea at the rate of 30-100 g per apple tree is relevant. The second and third feeding should be carried out after flowering and during the formation of fruits. During these periods, it is recommended to use superphosphate 50-100 g and potassium sulfide 40-80 g per tree.
Top dressing should be carried out after watering to prevent root burns.
Trimming
The apple tree needs shaping pruning in early spring before bud break. Immediately after landing, the main conductor must be shortened by 1/3 part. And from the buds left on the trunk next season, lateral shoots are formed. Of these, you need to select 2-3 of the strongest, growing in different directions. At the same time, it is important that the angle of their departure from the trunk is at least 45 degrees.
In the third year after planting, it is still necessary to leave 2-3 branches that will form the second tier of the crown, and remove the rest. It is also recommended to shorten the main conductor annually so that its growth point is 20 cm higher than the side shoots. In the fourth year, it is necessary to shorten all the branches of the apple tree by 1/3, leaving the outer upper bud.
Sanitary pruning is also recommended for the tree, which must be done not only in spring, but throughout the season. During the procedure, it is necessary to remove broken, damaged and growing shoots in the middle of the crown.
Pruning should be done in the morning in dry weather.
Graft
In order to increase the winter hardiness of a certain apple variety, grafting can be used. This procedure is recommended to be carried out during the period of active sap flow, which guarantees a quick survival of the scion to the rootstock. In the Urals, this happens in the spring in April, when the frost subsides, and in the summer – in early August.
Possible methods of vaccination:
- occlusion;
- into cleavage;
- copulation;
- bridge;
- for the crust;
- into the side cut.
Preparation for winter
In order for the apple tree to survive the winter well, you need to prepare it. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out water-charging watering in mid-September at the rate of 3-10 buckets per tree, depending on its age.
Also, in late autumn, it is necessary to lay a layer of humus 10 cm thick in the root circle to protect the root system. And then wrap the trunk of the apple tree in several layers with spandbond.
Protection against diseases and pests
Adverse weather conditions, which are not uncommon in the Urals, reduce the immunity of the apple tree, which makes it susceptible to fungal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary in the spring before bud break and in the fall after leaf fall to spray the crown, trunk with a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture and copper sulphate. At the same time, it is important that the air temperature is within + 5-10 ° С.
Damage to seedlings can also be caused by pests. Therefore, the apple tree should be regularly inspected when signs of damage appear, sprayed with insecticides.
When re-treatment, the drugs need to be alternated
Conclusion
Planting an apple tree in the spring with seedlings in the Urals is carried out taking into account the climate of the region and the characteristics of the culture. Only in this case, you can count on the rapid adaptation of the tree and its high productivity in the future for many years.