Description of steppe almonds, its planting and care, secrets of agricultural technology

Every gardener tries to decorate their summer cottage with both useful and aesthetically attractive plants. These include steppe almonds, also called “mini sakura”. A similar analogy can be seen during the flowering of the bush, when the almond tree is completely covered with delicate pink flowers. However, before planting a plant, it is definitely recommended to familiarize yourself with the planting and care conditions.

Description and characteristics of steppe almonds

Steppe almond is a spreading one and a half meter shrub with dark green oblong leaves. The plant is heat-loving, and in warm climates it blooms quite early (late January); in moderate temperatures, flowers appear later (late April).

The flowers have a rich pink color and a delicate aroma. The fruits of the steppe almond bean ripen in September and look like a shaggy base with an edible seed inside.

Planting a plant

Important! The shrub will not survive without sunlight, so the plant must be planted in open ground, away from the shade.

It is also necessary to take into account that the branches of the bush grow mainly sideways, so it is recommended to calculate the planting scheme in advance if you plan to have several steppe almond plants in one area. On average, there should be at least 4 meters between each bush.

What time to plant

The optimal time for planting steppe almonds will be late autumn (but before the onset of cold weather) or mid-spring, when the temperature regime has completely stabilized and the degrees in the soil are stable at around 12-15. This plant will begin to bear fruit in the fall.

Soil for planting

In order for the shrub to stand out with brighter flowering and an increase in yield, it is necessary to fertilize the soil before planting and then once a year. For this we use:

• humus;
• animal manure;
• vegetable compost.

It is recommended to take care in advance to create good drainage; the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture. It is also necessary to disinfect the soil using ordinary lime. One bush will require up to 300 grams.

Preparation of seedlings

When planted in autumn, seedlings do not require special preparation, except for disinfection of the roots. To do this, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. However, if the plant is planted in the spring, the root system of the seedling needs to be treated with a clay mash. The procedure will retain moisture and prevent the almonds from drying out at first.

Planting process

Steppe almonds require the creation of special planting conditions, or rather pits:

• the hole is dug in a square, a little more than half a meter;
• drainage made of crushed stone and sand is laid on the bottom;
• form a mound with fertilized soil and drive a stake into it;
• the roots are placed around the pot without bending the branches;
• everything is buried with fertilized soil.

How to properly care for beans

Caring for low almonds is not difficult, but it requires a certain regime. It is recommended to focus on fertilizing the soil and timely watering.

Watering and fertilizing

It is necessary to water steppe almonds steadily, focusing on the condition of the soil. A slight drying of the top layer serves as a signal for the next watering. However, it is not recommended to pour more than 10 liters of water at a time. And you need to fertilize twice a year:

• in spring - nitrogen-based preparations;
• in the autumn – with substances containing phosphorus and potassium.

Almond trimming

Sanitary cleaning of steppe almonds is carried out after the snow has melted. The purpose of such pruning:

• get rid of dry, broken and diseased branches;
• create a place for the growth of new young shoots.

After the flowers fall off, it is also recommended to prune excess branches, getting rid of crooked and cross-growing branches. The procedure allows you to thin out the bush a little and achieve a neat shape.

Preparing for winter

Preparations for wintering begin in August. It is necessary to pinch the ends of the young shoots.This allows the bush to grow more protective wood, which will help it survive even the harsh winter. Often the plant is covered from above and the roots are wrapped in non-woven material, like Greentex.

Diseases and pests of steppe almonds

The main pests that attack steppe almonds are:

• leaf roller, Iskra-M helps to get rid of it;
• plum moth, which is also removed by spraying Iskra-M;
• aphids are very dangerous because they are not easy to detect; Iskra-Bio is a remedy against invasion;
• plum bark beetle

There are three main diseases: rust, monilial burn, gray rot. Diseases are eliminated by cutting out branches, Bordeaux mixture or colloidal sulfur.

Reproduction

Steppe almond is considered a universal plant in terms of reproduction. It is customary to distinguish five popular methods for increasing the amount of crop:

• using seeds;
• by grafting a plant;
• cuttings;
• reproduction by shoots;
• and layering.

Important! It is necessary to prepare the garden area in advance and get rid of rodents. Otherwise, there is a risk of complete destruction of the bush or seeds.

Growing from seed

Often gardeners grow the plant from the seed. It is recommended to plant seeds in the soil in the spring, when the temperature has completely stabilized. And when the shoot reaches 30 centimeters in height, it needs to be transplanted into a specially prepared hole with drainage. Gardeners advise placing 3 seeds in one hole, this increases the likelihood of germination, and the excess can always be removed when replanting.

Almond grafting

The plant can be grafted onto cherry plum, plum and bird cherry. The procedure is carried out in the spring, when the trees are maximally saturated with juice.

Important! When attaching a twig to a tree, you should not hide the bud in the cut of the tree.

Cuttings

Steppe almond cuttings need to be prepared in early July by cutting off the tops of the cuttings with a couple of nodes that have become covered with wood. The procedure then looks like this:

• the cutting is placed in a growth stimulator for 15-20 hours;
• rooting is carried out in a cold greenhouse;
• planting is done in peat mixed with sand (1:2);
• planting in a garden bed for ripening.

How to propagate by shoots

With regular pruning of the steppe almond bush, shoots are formed abundantly, which are also used for propagation. It is preferable to dig it out in the second year, after the root system has formed. Subsequent care is identical to the procedures for one-year-old seedlings.

Reproduction by layering

Wild almonds are low-growing, so propagation by layering is not difficult. It is enough to secure the twig to the ground with a metal bracket. It is also watered, fertilized, loosened and weeds removed. Next year, when roots appear, the plant can be replanted.

Decorative qualities

Steppe almonds are often used as a decorative addition in landscape design. But it is not recommended to plant it with taller plants. However, “little sakura” will beautifully complement the overall picture of flower beds or shrub decorations. Thanks to early flowering, almonds have time to appear in full force and allow other plants to show themselves.