Hazel or hazel are not the most common type of garden crops, although hazelnuts are unpretentious and take root in areas. The bush can withstand record low temperatures, so hazel is also grown in northern regions, such as Siberia, and planting and caring for the plant does not require much effort. If you follow simple rules and stop any deviation in time, the plant will delight the gardener with a good harvest.
Features of growing hazel in Siberia
Many gardeners in the northern region are wondering how to grow hazelnuts in Siberia, receiving not the most comforting answer. The fact is that although hazel is frost-resistant and can withstand down to -50 ° C, the plant’s catkins are not so resistant to cold. However, it is still possible to grow hazel in places where there is a lot of snow in winter, and fences or buildings protect from the winds.
As for hazelnut varieties, don't choose Common Hazel. It is better to give preference to Manchurian, Variegated, Alida, Lentina or Biysk varieties, which were bred specifically for the Siberian region, taking into account climatic conditions.
How to plant correctly
In order for the hazel tree to take root and bear fruit, it is necessary to comply with the conditions when planting the seedling.
What time to plant?
Hazel should be planted in the fall - early October. Important! There must be at least 20 days before the onset of frost, otherwise the plant will not take root.
Selection and preparation of a site
Hazel is very unpretentious to the soil, but swampy or sandy areas are destructive. Therefore, before planting, you should make sure that melted snow does not flood the hazel tree in the spring. In addition, the absence of groundwater near the soil surface is important. Preference should be given to humus, humus-rich, loose soils.
For normal growth and fruiting, hazel requires a sunny side, protected from cold winds, so the best choice would be the western or southwestern part of the site, preferably fenced with a wall. If this is not possible, hedges will provide protection from the wind. They should be planted no closer than 5 meters from the nut.
Site preparation depends on the number of seedlings being planted.When planting several plants, it is recommended to dig the entire area deeply. Fertilize the planting holes with humus and mineral preparations (50 grams of potassium salt and 200 grams of superphosphate).
Planting process
Before planting, seedlings should be cut to 20-25 centimeters, and the roots should be dipped in a mixture of clay and manure. After that, start the process:
- the hazel is lowered into the hole, deepening the level of the root collar by 2-3 centimeters;
- carefully distribute the roots over the soil, covering them with loose soil and compacting them;
- Make an edge around the seedling and water it generously (20-25 liters);
- After moisture has been absorbed, the soil should be mulched with sawdust, leaves or peat.
When planting several seedlings, one must not forget about the distance, because hazel is planted for many years:
- rows – 5-6 meters;
- 4-6 meters between plants.
Nuances of plant care in Siberia
As already mentioned, growing hazel in Siberia differs from methods in warmer regions, so it is important to provide timely care to the plant.
How to water
Regular watering for hazel is necessary, since without sufficient liquid the quality and quantity of the fruit will deteriorate. The plant is watered 1-2 times a month, depending on the weather:
- after flowering;
- in May;
- in June;
- in July;
- after the leaves fall.
If the summer is dry, the frequency of watering should be increased, but if it is rainy, no watering is required. An adult plant needs 50-70 liters of liquid at a time. Water must be poured in parts until completely absorbed, otherwise the hazel will be flooded.
Don't forget about air humidity. If there are no rain installations on the site, the hazel tree should be sprayed with water once a week, in the afternoon or in cloudy weather.
Fertilizer
Each season the plant needs special nutrition:
- in autumn - potassium salt (20-30 grams), superphosphate (50 grams) and manure (3-4 kilograms);
- in spring – 150-150 grams of nitroammophoska, during the period of kidney swelling – 20-30 grams of urea or ammonium nitrate;
- in June - nitrogen fertilizing.
Important! If the soil contains black soil and is rich in minerals, nitrogen should not be added as this will harm the crop. If the soil is poor, fertilizing with slurry is necessary.
If fertilizers were added to the hole when planting, then fertilizing should begin after 3 years.
How to care during flowering
Hazel begins to bloom in April, when the temperature reaches 12 °C. At this time, hazel catkins bloom, increasing by 30 millimeters per day. Growth becomes more active in dry air. When the length of the earrings reaches 10 centimeters, their density will decrease, and pollen will begin to spread within 4-12 days. Pollen from male flowers falls on female flowers, and from different trees, so at least 3 plants should be planted.
The moment of flowering is the best period for pruning. It is thanks to pruning that pollen spreads faster and, in addition to natural pollination, artificial pollination occurs, which increases the yield.
Wintering
Adult hazel over 3 years old can withstand winter without shelter, but young plants should be prepared for cold weather:
- cover with lutrasil or spunbond;
- bend the branches to the ground, covering them with snow and spruce branches, protecting them from wind and freezing.
Reproduction
Hazel is propagated using:
- bends:
horizontal branches - in late autumn, make grooves under low-growing one-year-old branches, where to lay the branches and fix them. Remove the top portion remaining above the soil. Do not cover the branches with soil;
arc branches - in the spring, lay the branches in an arc. Cut the bark in contact with the soil and fix it in the hole. Cover with soil. Leave the top, tying it to the support;
- bush divisions:
Take a bush out of the ground and divide it so that each has roots of 15-20 centimeters. Sprinkle the cuttings with coal and plant each bush in a pre-prepared hole;
- offspring:
appear after 1-2 years, from the buds of the root system. They grow from the ground at a distance from the “parent”. Separate with an axe. 2-3 offspring are placed in the hole.
Trimming
The first pruning should be done a week after planting, shortening the plant to 0.3 meters. In the summer, young shoots cannot be removed, and in the spring it is necessary to cut off all weak and diseased shoots, leaving the 10 strongest and strongest.
Important! The shoots should grow in different directions from each other.
In the fourth year of life, hazel, having entered the fruiting phase, needs regular renewal of shoots, since only one-year-old branches produce fruit. Sanitary pruning of old, diseased or damaged shoots is carried out in the fall, thinning - in the spring.
Plant diseases and pests
The main diseases of hazel are fungal diseases, the damage of which will not only reduce the yield, but may also kill the plant:
- powdery mildew;
- rust;
- white rot.
As for pests, hazel trees can be damaged by:
- aphid;
- nut weevil;
- kidney mite;
- leaf beetle;
- barbel.
If there is any change in the appearance of the plant, it is necessary to begin urgent treatment before the disease destroys the nut or spreads to other garden crops.
