All about fruiting cherries

Sweet cherry is a very popular tree, especially in the southern regions, so it can be found in almost every garden.... Moreover, caring for her is not as difficult as for the same peach or apricot. But these trees are planted in areas primarily because of the large sweet berries. So, when planning to purchase seedlings, it is worth learning everything about the fruiting of sweet cherries.

Although sweet cherry is considered a southern tree, gardeners from other regions try to do everything so that this wonderful tree takes root on the site and feels comfortable. The ultimate goal of keeping a sweet cherry is to harvest, and therefore its fruiting is the main issue that should be given close attention. Consider the factors that can affect fruiting.

• Climate... The main habitat of cherries in our country is the south, and this is no coincidence. For proper development and good fruiting, the tree needs sun, warmth, it can only endure warm and mild winters. Of course, gardeners are experimenting both in the Moscow region and in central Russia, but more effort will have to be spent on the maintenance of trees, and the care will be more voluminous.

• Variety... A lot depends on the selected variety, they differ in the number, size, color of the fruit. At the same time, there are early varieties, medium and late ones. The early ones ripen in late spring - early summer, the middle ones can please with berries in July, and the late ones will harvest in August. That is, in order to get a harvest all summer, you can plant different varieties on the site, and enjoy delicious fruits all season.

• Choosing the right place... Sweet cherry loves open sunny areas, loose fertile soil. Surface occurrence of underwater waters is not suitable. Large trees should not grow nearby, which can shade cherries and take away nutrients due to a powerful root system.

• Quality care... Sweet cherries, like other trees, require timely feeding, protection from pests, sufficient moisture, if there is no rain. All these measures together contribute to a good harvest.

• Age... The harvest of young trees will differ from those that are already of a venerable age, as well as the very first harvest from the subsequent ones.

After planting the seedlings, it will take a long time before you can see the first berries on the tree. You need to carefully look after the plants, the first 2-3 years are the most difficult. You need to carefully examine the trees for the occurrence of various diseases and the appearance of pests, fertilize, water, and prune in time.

All this can affect future fruiting. The first flowering occurs only in the fourth year of the tree's life. At this time, the tree produces only a small number of flowers.

In the fifth year, you can already expect more active flowering and the first, albeit small, harvest. Already for 6-7 years, you can collect a pretty decent harvest.

But at the same time, there are varieties that can bloom for the first time in the third year, and there are also those that will give the first harvest only at the age of seven.

Cherries grow from 4 to 10 meters, they are referred to as long-livers. And with good care, the tree can be expected to live over 50 years.Berries can be red, pink, burgundy, yellow. It depends on the cherry variety.

Often, gardeners are faced with such a problem when the cherry does not bloom, although all the dates have already come for this, or flowers are formed, but there are no fruits. This problem needs to be addressed, but the reasons must be found first.

They can be as follows:

• the variety refers to those that begin to bear fruit late;

• the tree is still young and has not reached the fruiting season;

• cherries of very venerable age;

• the tree was overcome by pests that prevent it from developing correctly;

• defeat by fungal infections;

• the place for planting was chosen unsuccessfully, does not meet the parameters that are required for cherries;

• incorrect planting process;

• climate unsuitable for the development of sweet cherries;

• improper or irregular care;

• unsuitable soil, for example too acidic.

What action to take will depend on what is the reason for the lack of fruit... A heat-loving plant feels most comfortable in the south. But this does not mean that other regions can forget about trying to grow this beautiful tree. Breeders are constantly working and creating new winter-hardy varieties that allow harvesting in colder regions, for example, in the Urals and even in Siberia. These varieties include "Tyutchevka", "Iput", "Revna", "Veda", "Bryanochka".

When buying a seedling, it is imperative to clarify the characteristics of the variety, because some of the fruits appear only in the seventh year of life. To get comprehensive and correct information, as well as to purchase a healthy seedling, cherries should be purchased in a specialized nursery.

The wrong choice of location can also greatly affect fruiting.... If it is obvious that the tree is not feeling well, you can correct the situation and transplant it to a new place - well-lit, with fertile soil. But it is worth remembering that the older the seedling, the more difficult it is to transplant it, and the greater the risk that it will not take root. All manipulations with the transplant must be done before the start of sap flow.

Landing errors are also fraught with serious problems. It should be borne in mind that when planting, the roots must be well spread, the earth is not clayey, and the root collar must not be buried.

If the soil is acidic, the tree may not produce flowers for a long time. To remedy the situation, you need to dig up the ground in the near-trunk circle, adding ash or slaked lime to it. You can find out about the acidity level using special test strips that are sold in garden stores.

Provided that the flowers appeared, but there were no berries, it is worth considering the following reasons:

• prolonged cold spring with return frosts;

• insufficient amount of minerals;

• lack of pollinators (insects or suitable trees);

• wrong neighbors.

A very important point is the prevention of fungal diseases, and for this it is imperative to process cherries with Bordeaux liquid. Different means are used to control pests, for example, "Fufanon" or "Inta-Vir".

As for neighboring trees, you should be careful about their choice. For example, a walnut with its powerful root system and spreading crown is categorically not suitable as a neighbor. Moody peach and apricot are also not suitable options. The best will be the neighborhood of cherries of other varieties or cherries.