Description of the best varieties of almonds, cultivation, care and methods of propagation

Growing almonds requires careful care of the crop and the implementation of certain agrotechnical practices. The plant produces a fruit with a seed, which is rich in beneficial microelements. It is important to choose the right variety that is suitable for the climate of the region and the composition of the soil. Care involves following the watering regime, applying fertilizers, pruning the crown and other nuances. There are several options for propagating shrubs.

General description and characteristics of culture

Almonds are a plant that produces hard stone fruits. The shrub tolerates drought and low temperatures well. Flowering occurs in February-April and lasts up to three weeks. The inflorescence is formed from five large petals of a crimson hue. Nuts appear in early summer.

An almond bush can develop over a century. Fruits begin to form in the 5th-6th year. The almond fruit is a small stone covered with a green-gray rounded pericarp with villi.

Almond varieties

Before choosing a variety, it is necessary to determine the purpose for which it is intended to be grown. More than 38 types of almonds are known. Certain varieties are suitable for site decoration. The fruits of ornamental varieties are not eaten.

Common almond

The spreading bush stretches up to 4.6 meters. Flowering begins early - in the first ten days of March. The long branches of the bush are covered with pale pink inflorescences. The fruits ripen in late July.

There are bitter (wild) and sweet types of common almond. The first variety of almonds is intended for medicinal use. It is recommended to plant the sweet variety for food consumption.

Low almond, either steppe or bean

The shrub is a deciduous plant. Its height does not exceed 155 cm.The spherical crown is lush and dense. The bark is red-gray in color. The oblong-elongated leaves have a fleshy structure.

The flowering of the bean plant is beautiful, lush, but not long-lasting. Almonds begin to bloom in late March. A shaggy drupe with a stone strews the tree at the end of summer days.

Georgian almonds

The Georgian almond variety grows in the Caucasus. The shrub is no more than one meter in height. There are few branches, the leaves are large and elongated. It begins to bloom in the first ten days of May. The branches are covered with white and pink inflorescences.

Ledebour almond

This almond variety is found in the vast Altai. The shrub is small, with spreading branches. Height does not exceed 125 cm. Loves light and tolerates frost. Flowering begins in early May before the leaves begin to emerge. The petals of the inflorescences are deep pink. Flowering lasts up to three weeks.

Almond Petunnikova

The birthplace of Petunnikov almonds is Central Asia. The variety is characterized by low growth. The crown is spherical, the branches are straight. The leaves are oblong with rounded teeth along the edges. Flowering begins in mid-May and lasts two weeks. The fruits are formed in the 6th year after planting.

Trilobed almond

China is considered the birthplace of the three-lobed almond. The tree grows up to three meters. The flowering period begins in mid-May and lasts two weeks. Then the leaves begin to bloom, which have a three-lobed shape.

This variety of almond has other names: Trilob, Aflatunia, Louiseania. The following varieties are considered prominent representatives of this group of almonds: Vesnyanka, Ruslana, Kyiv, Plena, Snega Uimury.

Subtleties of growing a plant

There are many features and nuances of how to grow almonds. Culture needs proper selection and preparation of the site. It is also important to take into account that for pollination it is necessary to plant other varieties nearby and attract pollinating insects to the site.

What time to plant

It is preferable to plant the crop in the country in mid-autumn, after all the leaves have fallen. When planted in spring, the tree takes root worse. You should wait until the threat of frost has completely passed.

Almonds are planted in the morning or evening, a couple of hours before sunset.

Location

To obtain a high-quality harvest, a number of conditions must be met:

• For planting, choose the warmest and brightest place on the site, protected from draft winds.
• The minimum distance from other fruit trees is 160 cm.
• Planting in low-lying areas should be avoided.
• Groundwater should not pass too close to the site. If they flow at a depth of 155 cm or closer, then it is better to choose another area.

The soil

The tree does not make any special demands on the composition of the soil; it can grow in sand, on stones and rubble. The best results will be obtained when growing the crop in fertile, light, loose soil rich in calcium. Sandy loam or loamy composition works well.

The roots do not tolerate the presence of nearby groundwater, high acidity, chlorine and salt content. The soil must have good air and water permeability.

Selection of planting material

When choosing a seedling, you should always study the characteristics of the variety; you should definitely check with the seller whether the plant is adapted to the weather conditions of the region. You need to buy seedlings only from a trusted seller:

• The trunk should be strong with a glossy bark without cracks or abrasions.
• The buds on the branches are large, without damage.
• There should be no dry shoots or growths on the roots.
• Dark areas on the foliage or bark indicate overcooling of the crop.

Planting process

Vegetable growers are interested in the question of how to plant almonds. Seedlings are planted on the site at intervals of 2.5 meters. For the procedure to proceed without errors, you need to perform a series of sequential actions as follows:

• in the selected area, dig a hole 52 cm deep;
• arrange a drainage layer;
• then add a layer of sand;
• add nutritional components;
• carefully plant the tree, straightening the root branches;
• the hole is covered with earth so that the root collar protrudes by 13 cm;
• install a support for tying;
• water generously with warm water.

At the last stage, it is recommended to mulch the root zone with peat, straw, and sawdust.

Nuances of tree care

Homemade almonds require special attention and care. It is necessary to water the crop correctly and on time, add nutrients, weed the soil from weeds and loosen it, treat it against pests and infections, and protect it from frost.

Watering

The soil must be moistened regularly so that the tree trunk area never dries out. Moisture stagnation should not be allowed, otherwise the risk of developing fungal infections and rot will increase.

It is recommended to water the tree every seven days, using up to 9 liters of water. For watering crops, use only warm, settled water. After each irrigation, you need to loosen the soil to a depth of 7 cm and weed out weeds.

Feeding and fertilizers

It is recommended to fertilize almonds several times per season:

• In spring, it is recommended to mulch the tree trunk area with mullein or manure.
• After a month, the plant is watered with a liquid solution based on ammonium nitrate and urea.
• In the fall, it is advisable to add a composition of double superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

If the soil is soft and fertile, then it is enough to water the tree once a season with a solution based on superphosphate.

Weed control

The area around the young seedling should be constantly weeded. Weeds contribute to the spread of infections and pests. An adult plant rarely becomes overgrown with weeds, since the dense crown suppresses their growth.

Bloom

Almonds delight the eye with abundant and elegant flowering. The flowers are large, depending on the chosen variety, they can be white-pink, burgundy or crimson. Throughout the flowering period (the period lasts up to three weeks), it is necessary to moisten the soil abundantly. A lack of moisture will lead to premature completion of flowering and reduced yield.

Wintering

The almond bush tolerates frosts well down to -15 degrees. At temperatures below this mark, the tops of young branches may freeze:

• To prevent the plant from freezing, it is recommended to pinch the ends of the shoots at the end of summer.
• In the fall, young seedlings are covered with dried leaves or straw 18 cm from the surface of the ground.

After snow falls, a snowdrift forms around the trunk. The main thing is that the root collar of the tree does not rot, otherwise rotting will begin.

Almond trimming

You can give the plant a neat shape and rejuvenate it with pruning:

• In the spring, before the sap begins to flow, dry, frostbitten and damaged branches are removed. You should also thin out places where many shoots grow. They leave strong and strong branches.
• After flowering, thin out the area where many branches have grown, leaving the strongest shoot.
• Rejuvenating almond pruning is done after 8 years of crop growth.Old branches are shortened or completely removed.

Treatment against diseases and pests

Diseases can significantly reduce the yield and completely destroy the plant. Moniliosis, scab, rust and clasterosporiasis are common. In recent years, almond burn has become widespread. The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Polystigma ochraceum.

The fight against infections is carried out with biological products, chemicals or compositions from folk recipes. Treatment with such drugs as “Hom”, “Bayleton”, “Zaslon”, “Fundazol”, “Topaz” is effective.

Among insects, aphids, leaf rollers, almond seed eaters, and spider mites cause harm to plant development. Drugs such as Actellik, Fitoverm, Fufanon, and Vertimek help fight pest invasions.

In early spring, before the buds appear, preventive treatment of the tree and soil is carried out with a solution based on Bordeaux mixture. In October, after all the leaves have fallen, the treatment is repeated.

Almond propagation

Almonds are propagated by seeds, cuttings or root division. Each method has its advantages and some disadvantages.

From the seed

Reproduction by seeds is possible. When growing a crop from seed, you need to be prepared for the fact that the original characteristics of the variety may be lost. Stages of planting a seed:

• select large, dense, defect-free specimens;
• soak the seeds in growth stimulants and leave to germinate;
• holes are made on the site with an interval of 18 cm and a depth of 12 cm;
• seeds are planted in late autumn;
• a couple of seeds are placed in one recess;
• After the sprouts appear, the strongest seedlings are left.

Almond grafting

It is permissible to graft almonds onto a tree of the same variety and onto other varieties.The grafting is carried out during the period of active movement of sap - in early spring or in the last days of summer.

2-3 days before the procedure, the rootstock is watered generously. This is done so that the bark is well removed from the wood. For a scion, a straight, healthy cutting with a formed bud is suitable. All leaves are plucked from the cuttings.

A small incision is made in the area of ​​the root collar of the scion and the bark is pushed back. The scute with the bud is trimmed from the cutting so that it fits into the cut made. The cutting is inserted into the incision and secured with a tight bandage, leaving the bud outside.

If the procedure is carried out successfully, then after 2.5 weeks the eye becomes green and the petiole dries up. After this, the bandage must be loosened. In the spring, as soon as the first leaves appear, the bandage is removed.

Cuttings

Almonds can be propagated by branches. Cuttings are carried out in early June. Cuttings 18 cm long are cut from the top of the tree. Each shoot should have two buds:

• Cut shoots are kept in solutions with growth stimulants.
• Then the cuttings are planted in a mixture of peat and sand.
• The seedlings are transferred to a cool place and left for a month.

In the allotted time, the seedlings manage to adapt and take root. After this, they begin to transplant to a suitable plot of land in the garden.

How to propagate by shoots

If the branches of a tree are severely pruned, it will form numerous shoots. The following year, the emerging shoots are cut off along with the root branches and transplanted to a separate area.

Reproduction by layering

Young almond shoots are used for further propagation by layering. The branches are bent to the ground, fixed with staples and covered with a layer of earth.After a year, the cuttings should have roots. All this time you need to weed and water the soil around this place. The seedlings are then separated from the mature tree and transplanted to a permanent site.

Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia

It is easiest to grow the crop in regions with a warm climate. Even in the southern regions of Russia, the plant may not form fruits. Therefore, you should carefully select the variety and carefully study frost resistance.

Almonds will simply be grown in the Crimea, Krasnodar Territory, but only where there are no sharp temperature fluctuations. If the cold returns after the flowers bloom, the flowers and ovaries will fall off.

In central Russia, the cultivation of the Dessertny almond variety shows good results. This variety can withstand frost and the flower buds do not fall off.

In the Moscow region, harvesting will only be possible if the crop is grown in a greenhouse. You can plant a decorative almond variety in an open area. Even if you provide proper care and follow all agricultural techniques, in the Moscow region it will not be possible to harvest a good harvest without a greenhouse or high-quality shelter.

In Siberia, steppe almonds are grown in open spaces without shelter for the winter. The three-lobed variety of shrub feels good in the central zone.

Harvesting and storage

When almonds ripen, the oval shell of the fruit begins to crack along the lines, after which it is easily separated. Inside there is a bone up to 30 cm long, oval-elongated or teardrop-shaped, beige or brownish in color.

Harvesting of the ripe crop begins in late July. The seeds are freed from the pericarp and dried in the sun. If you collect unhulled grains, they can be stored in fabric bags.The storage place is chosen dark and well ventilated.

Using a flowering tree in landscape design

Almonds are distinguished by unforgettable flowering, so the tree is often planted for decorative purposes. To make the plant decorate the area, you can use the following tips:

• shrubs are planted along the alley;
• make an arch for rest;
• almonds look beautiful in combination with other large-leaved crops;
• Shrubs look beautiful on a flat green lawn;
• decorate the rocky garden;
• hedges are made from trees.

Planting almond trees is easy. Care does not require too much time and effort. Flowering will decorate any area, and the fruits will bring health benefits.