Planting and caring for cherries in Siberia, choosing a variety and mistakes during cultivation

Cherry berries were previously grown exclusively in the southern regions, since they are heat-loving plants. Today, the direction of breeding work is rapidly developing and offers a large number of winter-hardy species. What kind of cherries grow in Siberia, how to plant and care for them - information that needs to be carefully studied before purchasing seedlings.

What characteristics should a cherry have?

Cherry is one of the fruit crops that are accustomed to warm and sunny areas, but today breeders can offer varieties with the most unexpected requirements. Growing a heat-loving crop is complicated by the climate conditions of Siberia. To achieve a good harvest, you need to put in a lot of effort.

The main criterion when choosing a cherry variety for planting in Siberia is resistance to frost. The speed of fruit ripening is also of great importance, since the summer period in the northwestern region proceeds much faster. In a fairly short time, plants must have time to form fruits, saturate them with the maximum amount of nutrients, and also prepare for winter.

You should not choose cherry varieties for planting in Siberia, which are characterized by tall growth, since the gardener will have to direct all his efforts to forming the crown. When choosing, you need to pay attention to crop types that are resistant to hard picking.

The best varieties for the Siberian climate

The efforts of breeders in creating new hybrids were aimed at increasing the winter hardiness of flower buds. The possibility of growing cherries in the harsh conditions of Siberia depends on this.

Early varieties

Early varieties of cherries, the ripening period of which falls in mid-June, include:

1. Here we go.
2. Ovstuzhenka.
3. Red hill.
4. Chermashnaya.
5. Symphony.
6. Fatezh.

Most of them were bred thanks to Bryansk selection, where a team of scientists led by M.V. Kanshina was engaged in this.

Mid-season crops

Cherry varieties that ripen in early July:

1. Rechitsa.
2. Teremoshka.
3. In memory of Astakhov.

These recommended varieties for planting in Siberia showed the most encouraging results during breeding, since they were distinguished by the ability of the buds to withstand temperature drops down to -35 degrees.

Late ripening varieties

By mid-July the following cherry varieties will be ripe:

1. Tyutchevka.
2. Bryanochka.
3. Veda.
4. Revna.
5. Bryansk pink.
6. Odrinka.

The list of these cherry varieties will decorate the gardens of Siberia.

Frost-resistant varieties

Before planting a fruit tree in a sharply continental climate, it is worth considering all the risks. Frosts reaching record levels can negatively affect the plant. When choosing, you need to take into account numerous microclimate factors. Siberian gardeners strongly recommend giving preference to frost-resistant varieties of cherries, which are publicly available in regional nurseries.

Landing technology

Planting cherries in Siberian conditions has its own characteristics. In order for the seedling to take root and not die in the first winter, you need to make every effort when planting.

When to plant cherries: recommended timing

The optimal time of year for planting cherries in Siberia is spring, because if planted in autumn, the sprouts do not have time to adapt to the climatic conditions of autumn and may die with the onset of unfavorable times and severe frosts.

How to choose a healthy and strong seedling

It is recommended to purchase cherry seedlings in early May, since the threat of return of frost remains until the first ten days of June.When choosing a seedling, you need to pay attention to many factors:

• well-developed roots do not have swellings or growths;
• the bark is smooth and free of stains and scales caused by drying;
• the crown consists of at least 3 branches 30-35 cm long;
• there is no damage in the cloning zone, otherwise development in the future may be hampered;
• seedling aged 1-2 years;
• The trunk diameter is at least 1.5 cm.

If all the above characteristics are present, there is a guaranteed probability of rapid growth of the seedling.

Deciding on the landing place

The choice of the future location of the seedling should be treated with special care and precision, since at least 50% of the success of growing crops in Siberia depends on this. The selected site must have certain characteristics:

1. The presence of a natural barrier in the form of a hillside or a wall of trees in a nearby forest. You can also build a stone wall, a secure fence, or a hedge yourself. This will protect the fruit crop in the future from the effects of cold, strong winds.
2. The absence of various depressions in the relief in the form of holes, basins and hollows, as water collects in them due to the spring melting of snow. The accumulation of water in the root system can lead to the certain death of the tree. Also, in such places, cold air masses predominate, which is dangerous for the crop at the time of flowering.
3. There is a pond nearby and a small hill with a steepness of no more than 5-9 degrees.
4. The most optimal soil composition. Poor sandy, clay or peat soils are unsuitable for use in cultivating cherries. From such places you should not expect active plant growth and a rich harvest.The soil must be loose, permeable, moisture-absorbing, fertile, acidic (5.5 pH). The berry crop prefers sandy loam, loamy, soddy-podzolic soils, and chernozem.
5. Groundwater flows 2 meters from the ground surface. Otherwise, the root system will suffer from high humidity, which will lead to rapid death.

Important! It is unacceptable to plant fruit crops in the shade. The tree should receive the maximum amount of solar energy.

Preparing the soil and planting hole

Once the landing site has been accurately determined, the next stage should proceed - preparing the soil and planting pit. The hole should be at least 40 cm deep and about 70 cm in diameter. The hole must be equipped with such substances as:

• 2 buckets of humus;
• 150 g superphosphate;
• 50 g of potassium sulfate;
• 1 liter of ash;
• 1 tbsp. crushed eggshells;
• 1 bucket of sand.

When growing a cherry seedling in the harsh conditions of Siberia, you should take care in advance of the presence of all the necessary substances in the soil so that the plant does not need anything.

Landing algorithm

In order to plant a cherry seedling in Siberia correctly, thereby provoking rapid growth and fruit formation, you need to know some planting points:

1. Place the seedling in a pre-prepared hole so that the root collar is on the surface.
2. Do not forget that the trunk should be slightly inclined for ease of construction of a winter shelter.
3. Pour 2 buckets of water and be sure to secure it to the peg.

If all aspects of aftercare are followed, the likelihood of a rich harvest increases significantly.

Rules for caring for cherries in Siberia

After planting cherries in Siberia, from the first days you should take care that the plant takes root and adapts to the environment.To do this, follow all recommendations for caring for a fruit tree.

How often to water

The frequency of watering depends on the weather conditions of the northern regions: during the dry season it should be carried out regularly to maintain normal soil moisture. In hot weather, actively water the plant at the time of flowering and 3 weeks before the fruit begins to form.

What to feed for growth and fruiting

Growing cherries in Siberia involves applying a large amount of fertilizers, namely:

• complex fertilizer in the spring, for example nitrophoska or ammophoska;
• at the end of June superphosphate;
• in the first ten days of August potassium monosulfate;
• in August no more than 150 g of wood ash.

Following the fertilizing schedule for fruit-bearing cherries will help you obtain the desired harvest in large volumes.

Instructions for forming a tree

Pruning cherries that grow in Siberia has certain peculiarities. The purpose of pruning is to limit the growth of shoots, so you need to form a low trunk and a compact crown to make it easier to wait out unfavorable conditions. Do not cut off the ends of the branches; the fruits will appear on them. It is recommended to remove only lateral branches.

The crown of cherries growing in Siberia is formed in several ways:

• in the form of a bowl from one tier, so that the main trunk is not noticeable, but at least 5-6 branches stand out;
• tiered-sparse form, which is characterized by the laying of three tiers of skeletal branches at a distance of 60 cm;
• in the form of stele.

Timely removal of branches that grow inside the crown is necessary so that the plant gives all its nutrients to the formation and saturation of fruits, and not to the growth of non-functional shoots.

Proper preparation for winter is the basis for the survival of cherries

The first winter is the most critical period for cherries; it is during this period that the risk of death increases. In the conditions of Siberia, where winters are very harsh, it is worth paying more attention to preparing the fruit tree for wintering and making it easier for it to pass through this difficult time of year. To do this you need:

1. In August, bend the lower branches.
2. Do not allow a large number of shoots to form in the autumn and cut them off in time.
3. Make sure that the crown is completely free of leaves. Otherwise, carry out defoliation by spraying the plant with urea or copper sulfate to speed up leaf fall.
4. Conduct mass watering in late September. Pour about 30 liters of water under one fruit tree.
5. Build a shelter using film, frame, spruce branches, and fill the structure with plenty of snow.

Important! To protect the plant from rodents, the trunk and base of the skeletal branches should be whitened. The composition of the whitewash should differ in the content of clay, hot pepper powder, mullein, and animal hair..

Errors during cultivation

The experience of summer residents and gardeners will help those who decide to plant cherries in the garden for the first time to avoid mistakes. The main reasons for failure include:

• wrong variety;
• frost-resistant rootstock and scion;
• formation of a high trunk;
• overdose of nitrogen-based fertilizers;
• in rare cases, there is no pollinator.

Only through numerous trials and attempts can you arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and grow a healthy plant.

It is quite difficult to achieve good results when growing cherries in Siberia, since the idea itself is risky.But if you take into account numerous factors, study and follow the recommendations, this process will not seem difficult.