Advantages of autumn transplantation
At temperatures close to 10° C and high humidity, tree roots grow especially actively. Such conditions occur at the end of the season, and they last for quite a long time, which makes autumn replanting of the crop preferable.
After leaf fall, life processes freeze, but do not stop completely. In autumn, the soil is rich in moisture, evaporation is slow. The tree does not waste energy on the growing season, gradually grows roots, and immediately begins to grow in the spring. In regions where winter temperatures rarely drop below 0° C, replanting in December - early February is a continuation of the autumn one.
At what period can cherries be replanted?
The most suitable periods for replanting cherries are autumn or early spring; some gardeners replant in the summer; this procedure most often ends in the death of the tree.
Trees that are replanted in the summer require long-term care, and it is also impossible to replant a cherry tree in the summer without causing damage to it. When choosing the season for replanting, the cherry variety and its age play an important role.
Spring transplant
Choosing a spring planting period allows the crop to rehabilitate itself after changing the soil and gain the necessary amount of strength to withstand frosts.
This type of transplantation is carried out in early spring, when the tree has not yet emerged from winter sleep. After transplantation, the cherry tree gradually strengthens its root system and, with proper care, very rarely suffers death.
Note! There are some varieties that are replanted only in the spring, immediately after the snow melts before the sap begins to flow; felt cherries should be considered such crops.
Autumn transplant
Autumn is well suited for transplanting fruit plants, however, during the autumn period, certain features should be observed so that the crop has time to strengthen and does not die after the onset of frost.
When replanting in the fall you need to know:
- depending on the variety, some cannot tolerate autumn replanting, so the procedure should be carried out in the spring;
- It is necessary to carry out an autumn transplant only after the fruit plant has gone into a dormant state. This period begins in mid-September;
- when replanting, it is necessary to ensure that there are no foliage on the branches;
- In order for the roots to take root, it is necessary to replant a month and a half before the onset of frost.
Let's celebrate! Of great importance when replanting a crop in the autumn is proper insulation of the rhizome for further wintering.
Selection of material for transplantation
The younger the cherry, the higher the survival rate. For a tree older than 6-8 years, the chances decrease sharply. Take shoots only from own-rooted (not grafted) plants - grown from seeds or cuttings.
Planting material must meet the following criteria:
- is located no closer than a meter from the queen cell;
- has a developed aerial part;
- age – 1-2 years;
- receives enough light;
- there is no other growth nearby.
Buy seedlings from trusted nurseries and large garden centers. Choose zoned varieties, inquire about self-fertility.
They take root better:
- one-year-old plants 80-90 cm high with 8-10 side shoots 10-20 cm each;
- two-year-olds 1.2-1.5 m, branches 20-25 cm long - at least 12.
For most varieties, a height of 1.5 m and greenish bark means that the seedling has been overfed with nitrogen. Pay attention that the root is flexible, well developed, the bark is brown, and there are no cracks or growths on the trunk. Inspect the grafting site.
Why is it necessary to replant a tree?
The reasons why there is a need to transplant a cherry tree to a new place can be very different. During its life, the tree forms a lot of root shoots, which some gardeners consider a disadvantage. Others use young seedlings as planting material. Also, replanting cherries often involves:
- redevelopment of a summer cottage;
- poorly chosen landing site;
- inconvenience in using nearby buildings;
- moving to a new place and wanting to take a valuable plant variety with you.
Pruning during transplantation
After autumn planting, the cherries are not touched. In warm regions, pruning can provoke growth processes, gum production begins, the young plant often dies, and some of the removed branches dry out in an adult. For areas with a cool climate, autumn pruning of living shoots is fraught with freezing of part of the crown. You can remove dry branches.
Period suitable for transplantation
Adaptation of a tree in the soil occurs much faster if properly selected growing conditions are strictly followed. There are certain rules recommended by professional gardeners. The optimal time to start replanting shrubs, seedlings and perennial plants is autumn.
You can not only eat fresh cherries, but also make delicious jam or jelly for the winter, cook compotes, and add them to pies and cakes. And dumplings with this berry become the signature dish of many housewives in the country. Growing it on your own plot is quite simple. But sometimes it becomes necessary to replant the bush. What to do in this case? What needs to be done to preserve the tree so that it bears fruit in the future? The following recommendations will help you replant cherries correctly, without the risk of losing the plant.
Watering, fertilizing, pruning, care and other important procedures must be carried out on time and without delay. Otherwise, it will not be possible to avoid negative consequences.
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Preparing the site and soil
The crop should not be planted in lowlands or on open, windswept hills.
The best neighbors are cherries, apple trees, and other undesirable varieties of cherries:
- apricot;
- Walnut;
- blueberry;
- pear;
- raspberries;
- peach;
- plum.
Place holes for trees at a distance of 3-4 m between them, rows every 4-5 m for tall cherries. For low ones you need 2.5-3 and 3-4 m, respectively. The depth is such that the root fits comfortably and there is a little space left for adding fertile mixture. The standard size for tree-like varieties is diameter 80, depth 50-60 cm, bushy varieties are content with pits of 60x40 cm.
Fill the free space with soil; if there is not enough space, expand the hole. For fall replanting, dig holes in the spring or at least 2 weeks before placing the cherries. Groundwater should not lie closer than 1.5 m from the surface.
The crop grows normally and bears fruit only on neutral soils with a pH level of 6.5-7.0. Lime acidic soil in the previous season - if you add lime or dolomite flour directly to the planting hole, the cherry will take root less well.
Add under each root and mix well with the top, fertile layer of soil:
- humus or compost – 15-20 kg;
- superphosphate (enough for several years) – 400-500 g;
- potassium chlorine-free fertilizer – 60-80 g.
Methods of replanting cherries
All species are planted according to the same principle; it will be discussed using the example of the common cherry (tree). Others have different details; the difficulties of moving shoots or large specimens are mostly associated with removal from the ground.
Tree cherry replanting
After leaf fall, dig up the tree along the projection of the crown, trying to minimally destroy the earthen ball. Soak seedlings with bare roots for 6 hours or more; if they were placed in a clay mash, this is not necessary. Remove the cellophane that protects the lower shoots from drying out; the jute will not interfere with rooting.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Remove some of the soil from the hole.
- Fill completely with water.
- Wait until the liquid is absorbed.
- On the north side, 15 cm from the middle, drive a strong peg at least 20 cm above the stem.
- For a bare-rooted plant, place a small mound in the center around which the shoots will spread. They should not bend upward, otherwise the cherry will take root worse, will often get sick and bear fruit poorly.
- Remove the tree with a closed root system from the container and place it in the middle of the hole. Also place the cherry tree with an earthen lump or lined underground part.
- Make sure that the root collar rises 5-8 cm above the edge of the planting hole. Check its position using a flat board or the handle of a shovel.
- Carefully fill the hole, lightly compacting the substrate as it is filled.
- When finished, further compact the soil with your foot.
- Tie the trunk to the support firmly, but so that the fastening does not dig into the bark and it can be loosened.
- Form an earthen roll about 8 cm high around the perimeter of the tree trunk circle.
- Water the cherries generously. For every meter of growth, spend at least 2 buckets of water.
- Pierce the soil in several places with a metal pin or a piece of thin reinforcement. The liquid should fill even small voids to ensure better adhesion of the root to the ground.
- When the water is absorbed, mulch the surface with dry peat or completely rotted manure, or, in extreme cases, earth.
Transplanting a mature tree
Mature cherry trees do not take root well. Replant in the fall if the plant still has to be removed - there is no guarantee that it will take root.
The most difficult tree to dig up is:
- Use a hoe to draw the projection of the crown.
- Dig the cherries in a circle.
- It is better not to destroy the lump, but if it is too large, wash off the excess soil with water from a hose.
- Cut off any roots that go beyond the border with a shovel or an ax. Then large sections will have to be renewed and covered with clay diluted with a solution of copper sulfate.
- Place the earthen ball on a tarp or heavy-duty burlap to make it easier to move.
- Measure whether the root matches the depth of the hole.
- Plant as described above.
- Install at least 3 spacers along the edges.
- Tie it up.
Transplanting seedlings
After the autumn leaves fall, dig up the cherry tree, trying to preserve the clump as much as possible. Soak the one purchased from a nursery with an open underground part overnight. Move to a new place and plant. For better survival, add roots to the water for watering.
Replanting coppice cherries
Root suckers grow in the shade of other trees and bear fruit rarely or poorly. The situation changes if you dig them up and place them freely in the sun.
Start preparing in the spring, before the sap begins to flow:
- Select the appropriate instance.
- Draw a straight line from the old cherry tree to the base of the growth.
- Carefully dig out a piece of the root connecting them.
- Cut 15-20 cm from the young specimen.
- Backfill the dug area.
- During the growing season, water and feed regularly.
- Dig it up after the fall leaves fall.
- A small nuance - for better survival in a new area, the shoots need to be placed within an hour.
Replanting a Bush Cherry
The crop prefers sandy loam, grows on lighter soils than common cherries, and tolerates frost and drought better. Autumn replanting of species is practically the same, but bush varieties, due to the risk of damping off, are not recommended to be placed where the snow cover exceeds 90 cm.
Felt cherry replanting
According to botanical characteristics, the species is closer to plum or cherry plum. The bush lives for 15 years and does not tolerate replanting, especially in the fall. As a last resort, dig it up with a large lump of earth and immediately move it to a new place.
Expert advice
Improper replanting of a cherry crop can even lead to the death of the plant. It is very important to follow the rules and recommendations of experienced gardeners. To achieve a good result when relocating a tree to a new location, you must take into account the following tips from fruit tree breeders:
- don't forget about feeding. The crop needs appropriate care, and especially organic fertilizers and mineral complexes;
- We carry out mulching from leaves. Mulch promotes moisture retention, protects against freezing and creates excellent fertilizer;
- before wintering, it is necessary to carry out abundant watering to create comfortable conditions in the winter;
- Before replanting cherries in the fall, you need to trim off as many branches as possible. The procedure will allow the plant to recover and better adapt to the new environment;
Transplanting a cherry tree to a new location is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Recommendations and useful tips from gardeners will help you achieve the desired result. Proper transplantation and adaptation of cherries to a selected new fertile place in the fall will allow the plant to adapt to new conditions and obtain a rich harvest next season.
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