Contents
Cherry is perhaps the most common fruit tree among gardeners. It can be found in almost every household plot. And it is right. Because the fruits of this wonderful plant are tasty, rich in vitamins. Leaves – used in conservation. And shoots and bark are indispensable in folk medicine. Therefore, cherries deserve proper, thorough care.
If you dream of a rich harvest, take care of the timely feeding of cherry trees. This is exactly what we will talk about in this article.
When to fertilize?
When planting a cherry seedling, fertilize the planting hole. However, after a couple of years, fertilizers are completely absorbed by the plant. Therefore, it must be fed. Otherwise, the lack of nutrients will negatively affect the health of the cherry. Immunity will decrease, growth will slow down. In this state, pests will attack it more often. The result is a poor harvest.
If you notice that your garden pet’s shoots have begun to grow more slowly, and the leaves are covered with red spots in some places, then it’s time to feed. It is necessary to fertilize cherries 3-4 times annually.
Why is autumn feeding more effective?
An excellent result is given by spring top dressing, especially organic. However, it is believed that autumn is the ideal time for fertilization. Cherry is an incredibly frost-resistant plant. Now it is even grown in Siberia. True, the ordinary variety (Zhukovsky) could not adapt to the harsh Siberian climate. Therefore, special varieties have been bred here that have taken root perfectly. Felt cherries are especially famous. This plant tolerates frosts of the central part of Europe perfectly. But only with careful care!
The cherry tree blooms very early. As soon as the snow melts and the first spring warmth appears. It is during this period that he needs a large amount of nutrients that are consumed from the soil. Therefore, if you fertilize your plant well in the fall, then in the spring it will have something to eat for lush flowering and rich fruiting.
In addition, they harvest in autumn. You can safely prepare the cherry for the winter by cutting off the extra branches. And also treat it with chemicals without worrying about your health.
How to feed?
The concentration, quality, quantity of fertilizers depends on many factors. For example: climate, weather conditions, general care, soil, tree health, age. Young plants need annual top dressing. Mature, fruit-bearing trees (7 years plus) – fed in a year.
Where to apply fertilizer?
To feed fruit trees, tree trunks are made. (Look at the photo). In autumn, after the leaves fall, pruning of shoots, removal of diseased parts, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the soil under the tree. Half a meter back from the trunk. The distance depends on the volume of the crown. It should be about her size. Dig the trunk in a circle, 10-15 centimeters deep. It is best to use a pitchfork – less likely to damage the root system.
After thorough loosening, water the soil abundantly in a circle. Under each adult tree – up to two buckets of water. Under the young – up to one bucket. When the moisture is absorbed, you can immediately apply fertilizer. If the earth is dry, the weather is hot, then it is better to dilute them with water. In autumn, there is usually enough moisture, so you can scatter dry top dressing. It should be evenly distributed throughout the trunk circle.
“Menu” top dressing for cherries
The best cherry fertilizer is organic. For example: humus, compost, chicken manure, sawdust.
If it is not possible to find a natural product, specialized stores sell ready-made fertilizers. In autumn, phosphorus and potassium are extremely important. Phosphorus enhances plant immunity. Increases fertility. These drugs include: double superphosphate, phosphate rock, simple superphosphate, potassium monophosphate.
Potash fertilizers increase the winter hardiness of the plant, resistance to fungal diseases. You can apply: potassium sulfate, potassium salt, potassium chloride,
In the spring – nitrogen, ash. They strengthen the roots and also promote flowering. It should be remembered that both the lack of minerals and their excess negatively affect the cherry. Insufficient nutrition of fruit trees will reduce their growth, worsen fruiting. Excess nutrition will affect the presence of a large amount of nitrates in the fruit. Be careful!
An approximate calendar for feeding cherries
You planted seedlings:
- a year later – in early spring they are fed with urea (80-100 grams for one circle);
- after two years: 5 liters of water plus 15 grams of ammonium nitrate (or 10 grams of urea). Enough for one tree;
- after three years: 100-200 grams of urea for each plant. Do it in early spring. In autumn – up to 120 grams of potassium sulfate or up to 350 grams of double superphosphate;
- after four, five years: spring bait with ammophos (30 grams – a bucket of water);
- after six years: fertilize in the spring with 300 grams of urea each near-stem furrow. In autumn – half a kilogram of double superphosphate plus 150 grams of potassium sulfate. Manure for one cherry requires a minimum of 40 kilograms.
Next, you need to feed the plant in a year with chemical fertilizers. Every four years – organic. Doses are the same as for a six year old tree.
An effective compost recipe:
First layer: peat, 10-15 centimeters thick.
Second layer: compost (weeds, vegetable tops). Thickness – 20-30 centimeters.
Third layer: liquid manure (cow or chicken).
Fourth layer: minerals (half a kilogram of ammonium nitrate + 250 grams of potassium sulfate + half a kilogram of double superphosphate).
Fifth layer: peat or earth.
After a couple of months, the fertilizer is dug up well. After 4 months – you can use.
Once every five years, cherries are limed.
Spraying cherries
Fruit plants are fed by spraying. This is done twice: in the spring, before the buds open, and in the fall. It is necessary to wait for dry weather so that there will be no precipitation over the next few days.
Autumn: half a kilogram of urea is taken in a bucket of water. It is sprayed carefully on the trunk, shoots, near-stem soil.
Spring: spraying with Bordeaux liquid (10 liters of water, 300 grams of copper sulfate). Nitrafen can be used. The dose is the same.
With conscientious care of your cherries, you can count on a rich harvest!
Video “Rules for feeding fruit trees”
Details on how and how to fertilize fruit trees can be found in the video below.