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Planting cherry seedlings in the spring in the middle lane allows the culture to take root. In the fall, you can also carry out this work, observing the terms and conditions of agricultural technology. The culture has many varieties with different periods of fruiting. In order for a tree to consistently yield a harvest, it is necessary to choose a variety that is adapted to the conditions of the climate where it will grow.
The key to a good harvest will be a variety that is correctly selected for the middle lane.
Features of planting cherries in central Russia
Cherries, depending on the variety, can grow in the form of a tree or shrub. In the middle lane, cultivars based on common cherry are more common. These are medium-sized cultivars that bloom in April and bear fruit in late May. Varieties adapted to the temperate climate of the middle zone bloom later than the southern representatives.
The area of distribution of culture is in Russia in all climatic zones, except for the Far North. The plant is frost-resistant, the aboveground part resists a drop in temperature to -40 0C, the root system may die if the ground freezes to -150C. An adult plant will restore frozen branches in a season, and young seedlings will not survive if they did not have time to root well. This feature is taken into account when choosing a planting date in the middle lane, where frosts are quite strong.
Agrotechnics of the growing season in the middle lane is not much different from other climatic zones, autumn activities will be aimed at protecting seedlings from low temperatures. The cherry is placed on a plot on a sunny site, closed to the influence of the north wind. The best landing option is southern slopes or an area protected from drafts on the east side.
The plant is drought-resistant, it tolerates a lack of moisture more easily than its excess. The soil should be well-drained and aerated. Lowlands, ravines, where moisture accumulates, are not suitable for cherries. Do not choose an area with close groundwater. The depth of the main location of the root system is 80 cm, if the area is swampy, the plant will die from root rot, fungal infections or freezing in winter.
For stable fruiting, the composition of the soil plays an important role. The tree grows only on neutral soils, if there is no choice, they are corrected with special means. Preference for planting is given to sandy loam, loamy soil, fertile and light.
How to choose a cherry variety for growing in the middle lane
The moderate continental climate of the middle zone is characterized by clear temperature boundaries between the seasons.
Planting material with a closed root system can be planted at any warm season.
Low winter rates and the main threat for cherries - return frosts, are considered a frequent and normal phenomenon for this belt. Therefore, along with gastronomic qualities, they choose a variety (adapted to the weather of the middle zone) with the following characteristics:
- Frost resistance.According to this criterion, cherries must tolerate winter temperatures up to - 36 0C.
- Resistance to return frost. The quality is necessary for the spring cold snap. The culture is distinguished by a high indicator, it will not lose buds, during the period of sap flow, frozen and increased sap will not damage the tissue of young branches. For the middle lane, varieties are suitable that can withstand night frosts down to -8 0C.
- The timing of fruiting. For the middle lane, mid-season or late varieties are taken, the flowering of which begins in mid or late April, at this time the temperature drop is insignificant, the buds will remain completely.
- An important role in the choice of cherries is played by its ability to resist fungal infections (coccomycosis and moniliosis), which are common in the middle lane. Diseases cause significant harm to trees with weak immunity to this type of fungus.
They give preference to a self-fertile species or other varieties with the same flowering period are planted as pollinators nearby.
When cherries are planted in the middle lane
It is better to carry out work on placing the culture on the site in the spring, the plant will more easily endure stress, over the summer it will take root and overwinter without loss. Planting cherries with seedlings in the fall in the middle lane is used less often, but this time is also quite acceptable if the time frame is met. Summer for planting a plant is not quite the right time, work is carried out only if it is necessary to transfer the cherry to another place.
How to properly plant cherries in the middle lane
The key to a future healthy tree that does not create problems for the gardener will be the right choice of not only the variety, but also the seedling. One-year-old planting material grows well if it has a developed root, fruit buds and intact shoots.
Buying seedlings in a nursery more chances to get a culture adapted to the conditions of the region
It is better to opt for cherries with a closed root system, the survival rate of such seedlings is higher, and for the climate of central Russia this factor is important.
When placing several trees, take into account the fact how spreading the crown of the variety will be. Planting pits are spaced so that the plants are not crowded. For compact varieties, 4-4.5 m will be enough. Cherry is not placed under the dense crown of large-sized trees, a seedling with a shortage of ultraviolet radiation will not be able to fully develop.
If necessary, the acidity of the soil is adjusted to a neutral level. For example, dolomite flour lowers the pH, while granular sulfur increases it. If the planting is spring, the activities are carried out in the fall and vice versa.
A pit for cherries is dug, focusing on the volume of the root system. The depth should be at least 50 cm, the width - 15 cm more than the diameter of the roots. The bottom is covered with drainage, a large stone or part of a brick is suitable for the bottom, and middle fraction gravel is on top.
How to plant cherries in spring in central Russia
If the weather is at a positive level, and there is no threat of frost, spring planting of cherries is carried out in the middle lane (approximately at the beginning of May).
It is advisable to prepare the pit in the fall.
Sequencing:
- A mixture is prepared from a sod layer, compost and sand. If the soil is clayey, add superphosphate and potassium chloride (50 g per 10 kg of substrate).
- If the seedling is from a nursery with a closed root system, disinfection procedures are no longer needed. The open root is dipped in a manganese solution for 2 hours, and then kept in a growth stimulator for the same time. This measure is relevant for any planting date.
- A stake is driven into a hole 10 cm from the center, the nutrient mixture is poured, and the embankment is made with a cone.
- Cherry is placed vertically and covered with earth.
The soil near the seedling is compacted, the plant is watered, the root circle is mulched. The trunk of the seedling is fixed to the support.
How to plant cherries in the summer in central Russia
Summer planting of cherries is a forced measure, in the middle lane at this time of the year there may be abnormally high temperatures or it rains regularly. These weather conditions complicate the task.
The seedling is placed on the site in the same way as in the spring, but you must definitely take care of the shading of the plant and moderate daily watering. Cherry survival rate in the hot season is no more than 60%. Young cherries are transplanted by transshipment together with an earthen clod.
Step-by-step planting of a seedling in the fall
How to plant cherries in autumn in central Russia
The planting pit is prepared two weeks before work. The day before placing the seedling, it is completely filled with water, the scheme is the same as in the spring. The timing of planting cherries in autumn in the middle lane is oriented towards the climatic features of the region. Before the onset of frost, the cherry must have time to take root. The plant is huddled, the soil is covered with a thick layer of mulch, the stem is wrapped in burlap.
In the case of a late acquisition of planting material, when the deadline has expired, the cherry can be dug on the site:
- Remove leaves from the plant, if there are dry areas on the root, they must be cut off, remove the protective material from the closed root system.
- Dig a trench about 50 cm deep.
- Place the seedling at an angle, cover the roots and trunk.
- Cover with spruce branches.
In winter, throw snow on the tree.
Seedling care
Agricultural technology for a young plant includes:
- Loosening the soil, removing weeds as it grows, mulching.
- Watering, which is carried out no more than 1 time per week.
- Preventive treatment against pests and infections.
The formation of the crown is carried out in the third year of the growing season.
Experienced gardening tips
Cherry is an unpretentious plant with simple agricultural techniques. If problems arise with the growing season, most often the reason lies in the wrong choice of the variety or failure to comply with the planting requirements. Here are some tips to avoid or fix the problem:
- If in the first year the established seedling does not grow, the reason is the wrong location of the root collar, it is too raised or, on the contrary, is immersed in the ground. The plant is dug up and the placement level is adjusted.
- Young cherry is sick, looks weak, grows poorly - the reason may be the wrong place: a shaded area, drafts, poor soil composition, constantly wet soil. To save the plant from death, it is transferred to another place.
- Cherries will not grow if planting dates are not met in the fall. Part of the root system could have died from frost, and there is no guarantee that the cherry will recover.
Another reason for poor flowering and fruiting is that the variety does not correspond to the climate of the middle zone. Therefore, they acquire planting material only in a nearby nursery.
Conclusion
Planting cherry seedlings in the spring in the middle lane is the best time to acclimatize the tree. The seedling will not die from frost, it will more easily endure stress, and the survival rate will be high. The advantage of autumn planting is that the rooted plant, immediately after sap flow, will begin to form a root system and gain green mass. But there is a risk that the crop planted at the end of the growing season will die from frost.
