Basic techniques for caring for an apple tree in modern gardening

Apple trees in the garden can be found on the plot of almost every summer resident. The tree does not require special care, however, to obtain a good harvest, you should know and carry out certain agrotechnical measures.

Content:

• Features of growing apple trees
• The necessary conditions
• Growing an apple tree from seed
• Caring for apple trees: basic agrotechnical measures
• Possible diseases and pests

Features of growing apple trees

plant The apple tree can be grown at the end of April or in September-October. It is advisable to plant in the autumn so that the root system recovers and prepares for the growing season. If you did not manage to plant the apple tree on time, then at the end of October the tree needs to be buried and planted in the spring. If the soil is sandy, then first you need to lay a layer of clay about 10 cm on the bottom, compact it, and then add humus and peat in equal quantities and mix with the top layer of soil.

Before planting, you need to dig a hole a month before planting, the depth of which will be 60 cm and the width will be about a meter. Mix the top layer of soil with organic fertilizers. After the soil settles, make a hole taking into account the size of the tree’s root system.

Next, place the seedling in the hole, carefully straighten the roots and cover it with soil. It is recommended to shake the seedling periodically so that the voids between the roots are also filled. It is recommended that two people perform this procedure.When planting, it is important that the root collar is located a couple of centimeters above the soil surface. Next, water the tree with 3-4 buckets of water. If necessary, you can drive a peg side by side and tie the tree.

The necessary conditions

The soil for apple trees must be fertile. You can use that one primingwhere potatoes are grown. The soil must contain nitrogen, this promotes good fruiting and growth. Apple trees are not recommended to be grown in acidic soils or near groundwater.

It is better to choose open and quiet places for landing. The area should be well lit from all sides. The apple tree does not like strong winds and drafts. It is recommended to grow apple trees not near the house and at a distance from other trees. At the same time, it is not advisable to plant young trees next to mature and old apple trees, as the roots will begin to intertwine.

Growing an apple tree from seed

To achieve seed germination, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for this. It is very important to perform stratification, as this significantly increases the chance of seed germination. To begin with, the bone is placed in a humid environment for 6 days. The room temperature should be +5-+7 degrees. Seeds can be mixed with peat or wet sand in a ratio of 1:3.

To ensure gas exchange, you can mix moss and sawdust and add seeds to the mixture. Then the planting material is placed in the refrigerator for 60 days. As soon as seeds sprouted, they need to be transplanted into a larger container. After a year, the sprouted apple tree is transplanted into a larger container. After some time, you can transplant it to a permanent place in the garden. Growing an apple tree from a seed is not difficult; you should follow the above recommendations.

Caring for apple trees: basic agrotechnical techniques

After planting, water the apple tree once a week until the beginning of August. During drought periods, watering should be plentiful. If there have been heavy rains, it is necessary to loosen the soil for better air supply to the root system. For this purpose, you need to make small punctures with a pitchfork at a distance of 50 cm from the tree. It is important not to forget to feed the apple tree. The first feeding is carried out in late April. For this, 0.5 kg of urea is used.

Manure can be used instead. The next feeding is carried out during the flowering period. If the weather is hot and dry, then liquid fertilizer is applied. For this purpose, you can use superphosphate, potassium sulfate or urea. Immediately before and after feeding it is necessary to water the soil.

When the fruits begin to ripen, carry out a third feeding with a nitrophoska solution with the addition of a little dry sodium humate. After harvesting, a final fertilizing is performed using potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Fertilizers can be sprinkled on the ground or watered depending on weather conditions.

You can start forming the crown and pruning the apple tree in the second year after planting the seedling. Branches should be pruned before sap flow begins - in the spring. At the same time, diseased, poorly fruiting or frost-damaged branches are removed. The crown can be formed according to any type. This is a very difficult task for beginner gardeners. This usually takes 5-6 years.

Video about planting an apple tree:

When forming the crown of a young tree, a trunk should be laid. If the apple tree is vigorous, then about 70-80 cm, and if it is weak, 50-55 cm. When performing the first pruning, shorten the top of the trunk by 10-12 cm and leave 6-7 buds.This is how they cut annuals apple trees

It is also important to control the number of ovaries and the number of fruits. If you don't thin the apples, they won't taste good. In autumn it is necessary to whiten tree trunks. This will help protect the tree from possible diseases.

Possible diseases and pests

If not properly cared for, fungal diseases can develop. Common diseases that can affect apple trees are scab, powdery mildew, and cytosporosis.

Scab. The appearance of brownish spots is characteristic. Over time they dry out and fall off. The fruits stop growing and black spots with a grayish tint form. The tree must be treated with antifungal drugs: Horus, Oksikhom, etc.

Powdery mildew. Most often it affects shoots, leaves, and inflorescences. A distinctive feature is a dirty white coating, which subsequently becomes brown with the formation of small black dots. Gradually, the leaves begin to turn yellow, dry out and fall off. If there are signs of powdery mildew, treatment is carried out in the autumn with copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture. To avoid re-infestation, fallen leaves should be collected and burned.

Cytosporosis. The peculiarity of this diseases is the formation of dark spots that grow and acquire a red-brown tint. The plant must be treated at least 3 times using the following preparations: Hom, Fundazol, etc.

Apple tree pests are often affected by codling moth, hawthorn moth, scale insect, and leaf roller. To get rid of pests, the drugs Aktara, Tsimbus, etc. are used. The development of fungal diseases is promoted by drought, severe frosts, high soil moisture, etc.To avoid the occurrence of such diseases, you should regularly care for the apple tree.