Content
Planting cherry seedlings in the spring in the middle zone allows the culture to take root. This work can also be carried out in the fall, observing the terms and conditions of agricultural technology. The crop has many varieties with different fruiting periods. In order for a tree to consistently produce a harvest, it is necessary to choose a variety adapted to the conditions of the climate where it will grow.
The key to a good harvest will be the correctly chosen variety for the middle zone.
Features of planting cherries in central Russia
Depending on the variety, cherries can grow in the form of a tree or shrub. In the middle zone, cultivars based on the common cherry are more common. These are medium-height cultivars that bloom in April and begin fruiting in late May. Varieties adapted to the temperate climate of the middle zone bloom later than southern representatives.
The distribution area of the culture is in Russia in all climatic zones except the Far North. The plant is frost-resistant, the above-ground part resists temperatures down to -40 0C, the root system may die if the ground freezes to -150C. An adult plant will restore frozen branches over the season, but young seedlings will not survive if they do not have time to take root well. This feature is taken into account when choosing a planting date in the middle zone, where frosts can be quite severe.
Agricultural technology during the growing season in the middle zone is not much different from other climatic zones; autumn activities will be aimed at protecting seedlings from low temperatures. Place the cherry tree in a sunny area, closed to the influence of the north wind. The best planting option is southern slopes or an area protected from drafts on the eastern side.
The plant is drought-resistant; it tolerates a lack of moisture more easily than its excess. The soil must have good drainage and aeration. Lowlands and 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. When planting, preference is given to sandy, loamy, fertile and light soil.
How to choose a cherry variety for growing in the middle zone
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 in any warm season
Low winter indicators and the main threat to cherries - recurrent frosts - are considered a frequent and normal phenomenon for this zone. 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 down to – 36 0C.
- Resistance to return frosts. The quality is necessary during the spring cooling. The culture has a high rate, will not lose buds, and during the period of sap flow, the frozen and increased sap will not damage the tissue of young branches. Suitable for the middle zone are varieties that can withstand night frosts down to -8 0C.
- Fruiting dates. For the middle zone, take mid-season or late varieties, the flowering of which begins in the middle or end of April, at which time the temperature drop is insignificant, the buds will be fully preserved.
- Not the least role in choosing cherries is played by its ability to resist fungal infections (coccomycosis and moniliosis), common in the middle zone. The diseases cause significant damage to trees with weak immunity to this type of fungus.
They give preference to a self-fertile species or plant other varieties with the same flowering period nearby as pollinators.
When to plant cherries in the middle zone
It is better to carry out work on placing the crop on the site in the spring; the plant will withstand stress more easily, take root over the summer and overwinter without loss.Planting cherry seedlings in the fall in the middle zone is used less often, but this time is also quite acceptable if you follow the deadlines. Summer is not quite the right time for planting a plant; work is carried out only if it is necessary to move the cherry to another place.
How to plant cherries in the middle zone
The key to a future healthy tree that will not create problems for the gardener will be the correct choice of not only the variety, but also the seedling. One-year-old planting material grows well if it has developed roots, fruit buds and intact shoots.
By purchasing seedlings in a nursery, you have a better chance of getting a crop 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 holes are spaced at intervals so that the plants are not crowded. For compact varieties, 4-4.5 m will be enough. Do not place cherries under the dense crown of large trees; if there is a deficiency of ultraviolet radiation, the seedling will not be able to fully develop.
If necessary, soil acidity is adjusted to neutral. For example, dolomite flour lowers the pH, while granulated sulfur increases it. If planting is in spring, activities are carried out in autumn and vice versa.
They dig a hole for cherries, focusing on the volume of the root system. The depth should be at least 50 cm, the width should be 15 cm greater than the diameter of the roots. The bottom is covered with drainage, a large stone or parts of brick are suitable for the bottom, and medium-fraction gravel is on top.
How to plant cherries in spring in central Russia
If the weather is above zero and there is no threat of frost, spring planting of cherries is carried out in the middle zone (approximately in early May).
It is advisable to prepare the pit in the fall
Sequencing:
- Prepare a mixture of turf 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, it no longer needs disinfection procedures. The exposed 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 period.
- A stake is driven into the hole 10 cm from the center, the nutrient mixture is poured in, and the mound is made into a cone.
- Place the cherry tree vertically and cover it with earth.
The soil near the seedling is compacted, the plant is watered, and the root circle is mulched. The trunk of the seedling is fixed to the support.
How to plant cherries in summer in central Russia
Summer planting of cherries is a forced measure; in the middle zone at this time of year there may be abnormally high temperatures or it rains regularly. Such weather conditions make the task more difficult.
The seedling is placed on the site in the same way as in the spring, but care must be taken to shade the plant and moderate daily watering. The survival rate of cherries in the hot season is no more than 60%. Young cherries are replanted by transshipment together with an earthen lump.
Phased planting of seedlings in autumn
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 the fall in the middle zone is guided by the climatic features of the region. Before the onset of frost, the cherry tree must have time to take root. The plant is hilled up, the soil is covered with a thick layer of mulch, and the trunk is wrapped in burlap.
In case of late purchase of planting material, when the deadlines have passed, the cherry can be buried on the site:
- Remove leaves from the plant; if there are dry areas on the root, they must be cut off, and the protective material must be removed 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 they grow, mulching.
- Watering, which is carried out no more than once a week.
- Preventive treatment against pests and infections.
The formation of the crown is carried out in the third year of the growing season.
Advice from experienced gardeners
Cherry is an unpretentious plant, with simple agricultural technology. If problems arise with the growing season, most often the reason lies in the wrong choice of variety or failure to comply with planting requirements. Some tips on how to avoid or fix the problem:
- If in the first year an established seedling does not produce growth, the reason is the incorrect location of the root collar, it is too raised or, on the contrary, immersed in the ground. The plant is dug up and the placement level is adjusted.
- Young cherries are sick, look weak, grow poorly - the reason may be the wrong location: shaded area, drafts, poor soil composition, constantly wet soil.To save the plant from death, it is moved to another place.
- Cherries will not grow if planting dates in the fall are not followed. 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 purchase planting material only from a nearby nursery.
Conclusion
Planting cherry seedlings in the spring in the middle zone is the best time to acclimatize the tree. The seedling will not die from frost, will withstand stress more easily, 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.
