How and how to feed cherries in spring?

Feeding cherries is a controversial issue for many amateur and professional gardeners. According to some, the growth of sweet cherry does not depend on the introduction of additional mineral fertilizers. Others argue that tree feeding is vital. Top dressing in spring is the best option for improving the condition of trees after a long winter.

Spring feeding of cherries in the Moscow region and similar climatic zones can begin immediately after the snow melts. You can feed cherries in spring several times:

• before flowering - treatment with a special liquid solution containing nutrients;
• during the flowering period;
• at the end of the flowering period.

For a good harvest, it is important to provide trees with nutrients on time, while moderation of feeding is important, since an excess of fertilizer can harm cherries.

For the tree to develop properly, it needs trace elements.

• Magnesium - the quantity and quality of greenery on trees depends on this microelement. The amount of magnesium affects not only mature, but also young foliage.
• Nitrogen - an extremely important trace element precisely at the initial stage after planting, as well as for the correct growth of the crown. With a lack of nitrogen, yellowness on the leaves and a slowdown in tree growth can be observed.
• Phosphorus - affects the appearance and general condition of cherries, the presence of buds and the number of fruits. A lack of phosphorus can be indicated by grayish leaves, weak berries.
• Potassium - protects trees from frost, provides strong immunity and high quality fruits. The lack of potassium may be indicated by tasteless fruits and sluggish leaves.
• Calcium - ensures the formation of buds and the emergence of shoots.

Before starting to use fertilizers, you should consider the composition of the soil... This can be done without additional tools by carefully observing the tree. If you have a lush crown, juicy berries and strong branches, fertilizer is not required. If the appearance of the tree leaves much to be desired, the berries are tasteless, and there are few of them, you need to take care of filling the soil with microelements.

There are quite a few options for organic feeding.

• Potash fertilizers will provide the required percentage of potassium, increase resistance to diseases, increase productivity and quality of fruits. Potash fertilizers will help strengthen the cherry's resistance to viral and fungal diseases, stimulate the growth and quality of the tree.
• Superphosphate - promotes proper bud formation, healthy development and growth of inflorescences, reduces the risk of death of immature fruits, increases the size of berries.
• Urea - is rich in nitrogen, therefore it is important to use fertilizer for feeding cherries from the very moment of planting. It is best to apply it in the spring so that nitrogen saturation will help the development of the tree. If you overdo it with the amount of urea, you can reduce the yield of cherries.
• Ash - natural potassium substances that enrich the root system, start the flowering process, prevent the emergence of harmful microorganisms. Ash is also more appropriate to apply in the spring.
• Ammonium nitrate - one of the common nitrogenous substances. Unlike urea, ammonium nitrate contains more nitrogen. When using this fertilizer, it is extremely important to keep the proportions in order to avoid overdosing. In this case, burns of the root system of the tree may occur.
• Compost - a proven tool for many gardeners who equip special places to form nutritious cheap organic fertilizer. Autumn and spring top dressing with compost will help to assimilate mineral components and nutrients through the root system. Treating the foliage of the tree will provide it with moisture, increase aeration and help maintain an optimal soil temperature.
• Lime... Treatment with this substance is carried out no more than once every 5 years. For this purpose, slaked lime, limestone or ordinary chalk are suitable. It is important to establish the acidity level of the soil before processing. And also the use of lime should be carried out separately from the introduction of other organic or nitrogen types of fertilizers.
• Dolomite... It is used instead of lime in cases where a sandy variety of soil is used for planting.

Spring is the best time to fertilize seedlings and old trees. After prolonged frosts, the tree is filled with sap, therefore, it absorbs beneficial organic and mineral fertilizers.

It is advisable to avoid the use of dry mixes, as they may not dissolve in the soil until the beginning of the growing season. Experienced gardeners dissolve the powder composition in a liquid, after which they carry out top dressing. Watering the tree will help increase the efficiency of fertilization.

There are two main methods of feeding cherries:

• root;
• foliar.

This type of feeding involves the use of dry formulations or solutions based on them. The composition must be added to the trunk circle, which is located around the cherry, at a distance of at least half a meter from the trunk. The diameter of the trunk circle depends on the age of the tree: the older it is, the larger the diameter. For example, this figure can reach 3.5 m for trees over 20 years old.

Algorithm for root feeding.

• Loosen the soil, then add the required amount of water to the trunk circle. For young trees, 3 buckets of water will be enough, for adult cherries - no more than 6 buckets.
• Fertilization... Liquid formulations can be poured directly into the area of ​​the trunk circle, and powder formulations can be distributed around the perimeter and rake the soil.

Foliar dressing or spraying. This species is available only 2 years after the tree was planted. It is necessary to spray not only the trunk, but also the root circle and each shoot of the sweet cherry. It is most convenient to spray trees in the evening or in cloudy weather. This procedure requires the use of certain tools:

• protective glasses and gloves;
• sprayers;
• respirator.

Foliar dressing can be carried out with both inorganic and organic substances. For example, spraying with honey will help attract bees to cherry blossoms, while tomato and nettle will scare away pests.