Chokeberry (mountain ash) black chokeberry: planting rules and care at their summer cottage.
Content:
Until recently, black rowan fruits performed only a decorative function, decorating the garden. However, in addition to their unusual appearance, dark berries have proven to be extremely beneficial to human health. This plant does not require complex leaving, therefore it has become very popular among garden trees. In everyday life, the chokeberry was nicknamed sonorously - "chokeberry"
Rules for the selection of planting material.
How the plant grows depends on the quality of the chokeberry seedling. Go shopping with a reliable supplier with a good reputation and reviews. If you have purchased a bad seedling, you will not be able to grow a good tree, no matter how hard you try to do it.
It is recommended to buy chokeberry planting material in the autumn. During this time, a wide range of quality seedlings will be presented.
Attention should be paid to the appearance of the plant. There should be no obvious signs of wilting or disease.
The roots of the seedling must be irrigated with water so that they do not dry out.
How to plant a plant in open ground.
The process of planting chokeberry in open ground is not very different from other garden trees. Next, we will talk about the main points of the process.
What time to plant the plant.
Since plants are recommended to buy seedlings in the autumn, it is best to plant them at this time.
Where to plant.
Chokeberry is not whimsical to the composition of the soil. Only salty soils are categorically not suitable. The best option would be a light-flooded area with neutral soil.
The roots of the plant do not go deep into the soil, so the close proximity of groundwater will not be a hindrance.
How to plant chokeberry.
Under the chokeberry, you need to dig a hole about half a meter deep.
It is necessary to apply fertilizer to the soil with which the seedling will be covered. To do this, the soil must be mixed with a bucket of organic fertilizer, with phosphate and potassium fertilizers.
After planting, the plant is watered abundantly and the soil around it is mulched using dry grass and chips.
If you still plant chokeberry in the spring, then do these in April. This month is considered the most appropriate at this time.
Necessary care measures.
As we said earlier, chokeberry is a plant that does not require special care. It is necessary to carry out regular watering and treat the plant from harmful insects.
Fighting insects and diseases.
It is necessary to start preventive measures for pest control at the very beginning of spring, before the chokeberry buds bloom. The first step is to treat the plant with a mixture of copper sulfate and slaked lime.
You need to repeat the same event in late autumn, when the leaves of the plant fall off.
How to properly water the plant.
It is necessary to water the chokeberry during the period of active growth of the plant, especially in dry weather. When the ovaries of berries begin to appear, abundant watering is necessary. Water is poured into the moat around the plant.
After watering, loosen the soil, this is especially convenient when the soil is filled with moisture. Free the plant from weeds.You need to start such care in the spring. During the summer months, this activity is repeated once or twice a month. Loosening should be carried out to a depth of ten centimeters.
What kind of fertilizer to use.
It is necessary to apply fertilizer under the chokeberry several times.
The ingredients of the feeding are different, we will analyze all the compositions:
1. We use the "effecton" top dressing when the buds on the plant begin to bloom. We dilute two spoons of fertilizer with ten liters of liquid.
2.To increase the color of the plant, we use the feeding "Ross".
3. The final event is held in the autumn. We use a mixture of potassium sulphide and superphosphate. We dilute two tablespoons of fertilizers in ten liters of liquid.
When to harvest.
Chokeberry berries ripen by the end of summer, but the taste of such fruits leaves much to be desired. Therefore, do not touch the chokeberry harvest until mid-autumn. By this time, the berries will become much tastier.
Shaping the tree.
It is necessary to prune the branches of chokeberry regularly. This promotes good growth and development of the plant. In addition, the appearance of the chokeberry tree is badly deteriorated if you do not give it the correct decorative shape.
Pruning in the spring.
There is nothing difficult in the process of cutting the chokeberry. In spring, a young plant must be cut at a height of up to twenty centimeters. After a year, free the plant from overgrowth, leaving a few sturdy branches.
Repeat the pruning procedure annually until fifteen strong branches are formed.
By pruning dry, disease-infected branches, you free the plant from unnecessary stress. Free penetration of sunlight through the branches of the bush will have a beneficial effect on its growth and development.
A good harvest is brought by shoots of chokeberry up to seven years old. Therefore, older growth must be removed. It is necessary to cut branches as close to the ground surface as possible. This will help reduce the chances of infesting the plant.
Pruning in the fall.
If required, you can cut the branches of the chokeberry in the fall. It is necessary to remove dry and diseased shoots. It is better to additionally process the cut site with a special tool.
Preparing for the winter season.
Strong plants will normally tolerate winter cold. But the young need to provide additional protection.
You need to cover the plant with the onset of sub-zero temperatures. Thanks to this, the chokeberry will give a good harvest and will decorate the summer cottage with its appearance.