Cherry pleases summer residents not only with tasty fruits, but also with beautiful spring blossoms. Proper planting and care of cherry can ensure its long life and abundant harvest.
Choosing a planting site and preparing the soil
Cherry prefers sunny, wind-protected areas with well-drained soil.
It is optimal if the planting site is located on a hill or slope to avoid stagnant water, which can lead to root rot.
The soil should be fertile, light, with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Before planting, the area is prepared: the soil is dug up, weeds are removed, organic fertilizers (compost or humus) and mineral additives (potassium and phosphorus) are added.
This will create optimal conditions for the growth of the root system and subsequent development of the tree.
It is important to pay attention to removing weeds and evenly distributing fertilizers so as not to damage the young plant.
Selection of variety and planting time
It is important to take into account the climatic features of your region. For northern regions, winter-hardy varieties that can withstand severe frosts are suitable, such as 'Morozovka' or 'Shubinka'.
In warmer regions, the choice is wider: you can plant both traditional and hybrid varieties, for example, 'Turgenevka' or 'Vladimirskaya'.
The optimal time for planting cherries is spring, when the soil has warmed up enough, but the tree has not yet begun to grow actively.
Planting in autumn is also possible, but requires caution: it is important that the tree has time to take root before the first frost.
When planting in autumn, it is worth mulching the tree trunk circle to retain moisture and heat in the soil.
Cherry tree planting process
Planting of cherries should begin with preparing a planting hole. It should be about 60 cm deep and 80 cm wide. It is advisable to put a drainage layer on the bottom of the hole if the soil tends to retain moisture.
Next, before installing the seedling, a mixture of fertile soil and fertilizers is added to the bottom, forming a small mound. The seedling is placed on this mound, straightening its roots, and covered with the remaining soil.
When planting, it is important to ensure that the root collar does not go deep into the soil - it should be at surface level or slightly higher, since the cherry does not like deep immersion in the soil.
The planted tree is watered generously so that the soil settles tightly around the roots. After watering, it is recommended to mulch the trunk circle with organic material, such as sawdust or straw, to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.
Caring for young trees
Cherry tree care in the first years of life includes several important stages:
1. Watering. Young seedlings need to be watered regularly. Watering should be abundant, but not too frequent, so as not to allow the soil to become over-moistened.
2. Pruning. Proper pruning helps to form the crown, promotes more active development of branches and prevents diseases. Pruning is carried out in the spring, removing dry, diseased and weak branches.
3. Fertilizing. In the first years after planting, the cherry does not need intensive fertilizing, but in the second year, nitrogen fertilizers can be added in the spring and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers in the fall to support growth.
4. Protection from pests and diseases. Cherry is susceptible to diseases such as coccomycosis and moniliosis. For protection, preventive spraying with copper sulfate or other fungicides should be carried out, and fallen leaves and diseased branches should be removed in a timely manner.
Planting cherry trees is a process that requires care and preparation, but the results are worth all the effort.
With the right choice of location, variety and care, the tree will delight you not only with fragrant flowers in the spring, but also with an abundant harvest of delicious berries in the summer.
It is important to remember that cherries are a long-term investment, and caring for them in the early years of their life will determine their health and productivity for many decades.
