The Cherry Orchard

Rich in vitamins and organic acids, ripe cherries are always welcomed during the harvest season by summer residents who were able to successfully plant them in their own garden and even create a real cherry orchard.

This stone fruit culture has long been considered national in our country, therefore, sooner or later, many pay attention to it. Let's take a closer look at this plant.

Cherries are among those plants that prefer a good level of natural sunlight; it is not recommended to choose too shaded areas for planting.

The soil for the future planting of a cherry orchard should ideally be sandy loam or sandy; loamy type is also suitable. If you want to grow cherries, the ground must first be thoroughly drained - remember this.

Not suitable for planting a cherry orchard of lowlands and hollows, where there is an accumulation of cold air and there is a risk of premature freezing. In the same way as in the case of plums, cherries need a method of cross-pollination, so it is recommended to plant and grow several more varieties in the immediate vicinity.

In singles, cherries grow slowly, the dynamics deteriorate, the quality of the crop decreases, which, however, does not apply to varieties capable of self-pollination - for example, Lyubskaya or Plodrodnaya Michurina.

In singles, cherries grow slowly, the dynamics deteriorate, the quality of the crop decreases, which, however, does not apply to varieties capable of self-pollination - for example, Lyubskaya or Plodrodnaya Michurina.

The soil for planting a cherry orchard must be properly prepared and processed in advance. The process includes digging with a bayonet shovel, followed by the removal of the rhizome of weeds.

It is also necessary to mix with fertilizers of organic (about 15 kilograms of humus or compost per 1 square meter) and mineral (on average 100 grams of superphosphate, as well as 50 grams of sulfate for the same territory) origin.

We must not forget about liming the soil even from the autumn season, as this will ensure the balance of acidity so that the pH values ​​are within normal limits. To do this, spread a maximum of 400 grams of lime per 1 square meter, you can use wood ash, the rate of which is increased by 200 grams, that is, 600 grams will be required for the same territory.

The most favorable time for planting cherries is in the spring - when the soil warms up properly, and there are no frozen areas inside that can become an obstacle in the rooting process.

According to the standard, a cherry tree seedling with a tree-like age of 2 years is characterized by a stem up to 60 centimeters high, its diameter should not be less than 2 centimeters, and the length of skeletal branches varies on average from 40 to 60 centimeters.

To ensure correct cross-pollination of varieties, cherries need to be planted from 3 to 5 seedlings of several varieties at the same time, the optimal number of which will be 3 varieties.

Those seedlings that have undergone a drying process during transportation to a new location must be immersed in a growth stimulant solution for 9 hours to avoid further problems. It is recommended to do this only after the roots have been cut.

Remember that a place protected from northerly winds should be allocated for cherries, best on the slopes as close to the south side as possible.Otherwise, the plant may freeze slightly during flowering, which will have a detrimental effect on both the future harvest and, in principle, on its life.

Planting is allowed in the autumn, although it is better to do this in the spring. You should not risk planting cherries on the site in late autumn, it is better to wait until spring and dig it into the soil. The plant simply may not have time to take root and get used to it, as severe winter frosts immediately set in.

After the spring planting of the cherry orchard has been made, special attention should be paid to caring for young trees, because in this regard, the cherry is extremely demanding and sensitive. It is necessary to water the tree regularly, especially during the period when shoots begin to grow, usually this begins in early June.

The norm for watering can be considered from 2 to 3 buckets for each, as for an adult cherry that is already bearing fruit - during their ripening, up to 30 liters of water may be needed for each tree.

However, here you should already be guided by the weather - if there is a drought, then it is best not to spare the water, and if the summer turned out to be cloudy and rainy, it is still better to reduce the rate, since excessive moisture can be the culprit of such a defect as cracking of ripe fruits.

As for the frequency, it will be optimal to water the cherries with the indicated portions 2 times a month, if it is summer with hot weather. After each watering, do not forget to loosen the soil and mulch (peat, humus) with a layer of at least 5 centimeters.

During the growing season, it is allowed to loosen the soil up to 3 times, but you should not deepen more than 8 centimeters, otherwise you can damage the root system. Remove weeds in a timely manner, prevent the development of diseases and damage to plants by pests.

Cherries are always a welcome guest in the garden of every summer resident. Its fruits contain many useful substances, have a pleasant taste and are excellent for all kinds of preparations for the winter. Therefore, a cherry orchard is not only beautiful, but also useful.

Take good care of this crop and the cherry orchard will always delight you with its rich harvest!