Summer sweet cherry transplant guide for beginner gardeners

The best period for planting cherries is autumn. But sometimes there are circumstances in which a tree transplant is necessary at a less favorable time. At such moments, a novice gardener has a lot of questions. How to organize work so as not to damage the tree, is it possible to transplant an adult, for example, a five-year-old cherry, how to choose an auspicious day for an event, you will learn from the article.

Why transplant cherries in the summer

Transplanting fruit trees in summer is not a good idea. A successful summer planting result is not guaranteed. Transplanted specimens require increased attention of the gardener and especially careful care. In the hot summer months, it is difficult for a plant to adapt to new conditions, to take root and get stronger.

But if construction is planned on the site, a change in landscape design or a new one is acquired unplanned cherry variety, it is not worth waiting for a favorable season.

When is it better to transplant adult cherries

In the summer, it is permissible to transplant only young plants no older than 5-6 years. The planting material must be healthy, without signs of disease or damage.

Transplanting a tree at a fruiting age can disrupt its natural life processes.

Mature trees react painfully even to minor damage to roots and branches. Therefore, it is possible to move middle-aged cherries to a new place only by transshipment. But even with careful observance of all agricultural techniques, the tree can wither and die.

Auspicious days according to the lunar calendar

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of the day landing, you can refer to the lunar calendar. He will tell you the best moments for working with the land and the most favorable periods for seedlings, when they are full of vitality and are able to easily take root in a new place.

Favorable days for planting cherries in the summer of 2020:

• June: 1-5, 8, 12-13, 17-18, 22-23, 26-30;
• July: 2-3, 7-13, 21-24, 27-31;
• August: 1, 3-5, 7-11, 14-15, 17-19, 21-23, 27, 30-31.

It is recommended to postpone gardening work on June 9-11, 14-16, 24 and 25 June, 7-8, 11-13, 21-22 July, 3-4, 8-9, 17-18, 30-31 August. During these periods, the plants are weakened, prone to disease.

Choosing a landing site

Sweet cherry is a thermophilic and light-loving plant. She does not like excessive moisture and drafts. The culture is very demanding on the soil: it prefers fertile, light soil with neutral acidity. The ideal soil for cherries is light sandy loam or loamy.

Note! You cannot plant a tree in heavy clay, peaty soil. On such a sweet cherry tree will not live long.

Young trees are planted at a great distance from each other - at least 4.5 m, otherwise the plants will compete with neighbors for water and food. This will not have the best effect on their development and productivity.

Experts recommend growing several trees on the site, since this crop is cross-pollinated.

Favorable and unfavorable neighborhood

The best neighbors for cherries are plums and cherries.

Small berry bushes (e.g. currants, gooseberries) cherries will not allow to develop. Its long, superficial roots will take up all moisture and nutrients, and its spreading crown will shade low plants.For the same reason, rose bushes do not grow next to cherries.

It is undesirable to plant cherries on the same territory with apricot, apple tree, pear, walnuts.

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Preparing for transplant

To transplant cherries, you need to prepare in advance. You should select the right place in the garden, carefully choose the planting material, prepare the soil.

It is recommended to buy seedlings in the nursery and pay attention to the main guide. Otherwise, the tree will bush unnecessarily, and after fruiting, the trunk, unable to withstand the load, may break. The roots of the seedling must be free of mechanical damage, at least 15 cm in length, not dry.

The soil for planting is dug up in advance, weeds are removed. If the ground is too heavy, sand is added. This is especially useful when replanting bare-root trees.

Experts differ on soil fertilization. Some believe that compost, rotted manure, sawdust or dry foliage are always useful. Others are of the opinion that with a lack of oxygen in the soil, it will take years for the decomposition of organic matter, and the harm from such feeding will be more than good.

Chemical fertilizers are handled very carefully so as not to burn the roots.

In general, for a young tree in a new place, it is desirable to create the same conditions as in the previous one.

Transplant instructions

When transplanting cherries, use ordinary garden tools. You only need a shovel and support for the seedling. Experts advise using a metal or plastic pole to support the tree.

Before planting, the roots of the seedling are inspected, damaged and too long ends are cut off. Then the plant is placed in water for 2 hours so that the roots are saturated with water. If the bush is dry during transportation, you need to keep it in water for about 10 hours. It is better to cut the leaves so as not to dehydrate the bush.

How to transplant cherries to another place:

1. Dig a hole with a root ball, but not less than 50-60 cm deep.
2. If organic matter or chemical fertilizers are poured to the bottom, they need to be sprinkled with fertile soil so that the roots do not come into contact. In this case, the pit should be deeper.
3. Set up a support to keep the plant in balance.
4. Place the seedling, spread the roots.
5. Cover with earth, compact.
6. Water abundantly - at least 1 bucket per bush.
7. Mulch the soil around the seedling (sprinkle with foliage, sawdust, peat or humus). 

Common mistakes

For the first time, when transplanting fruit trees, they make the following mistakes:

1. They are too lazy to dig a hole deeper. The soil at the surface is looser than at depth. It is difficult for the fragile roots of the tree to overcome it in order to begin to grow. The seedling will not die, but it will noticeably lag behind in development. Recommendation: pour loose upper soil at the bottom of the planting pit, and fill the voids with fertile soil.
2. Earthen ramparts are poured around the bush to make it easier to water. Recommendation: do not fill the planting hole with soil to the brim, leave it in the form of a plate with a seedling in the center. In the summer this depression can be covered with mulch.
3. From the heart they feed the plant with fertilizers. Overuse is more likely to harm the seedling. Recommendation: mix a handful of ash with earth and pour it into the bottom of the pit. It is not necessary to distribute fertilizers throughout the pit.
4. The root collar is deepened. This leads to the death of the plant. Recommendation: wipe the lower part of the trunk and the beginning of thick roots with a damp cloth. The border of the root collar is where the bark changes from greenish to brownish. When transplanting, the root collar should be 3-6 cm above the ground.

Transplant nuances

Summer cherry transplant is suitable only for the central regions of the country. It doesn't make sense in the south.Autumn gardening is the perfect time for the sultry southern regions.

When transplanting a young bush, you should focus on the cardinal points. The grafting site is located on the north side so that the plant does not get burns and damage to the bark.

Cherries older than 3 years are planted in the same way as they grew in the same place. An adult plant must be moved with a clod of earth. The main branches when planting are cut by 1/3. The cut site is treated with garden varnish or linseed oil.

So that the seedling does not experience a lack of moisture, the stems at the base of the skeletal branches can be wrapped with rags and periodically moistened with water. Be sure to secure the tree with secure guy wires. Then the trunk will not be damaged by the wind.

Note! It is not worth counting on a harvest next summer after transplanting. The plant takes 2 years to take root in a new place. If during this period the cherry blossoms, it is better to remove the flowers so that fruiting does not weaken the still unripe tree.

Further care

Water the tree depending on the weather, regularly, but in moderation, so as not to waterlogging the soil.

It is recommended to fertilize the plants no earlier than a year after planting, best of all with water-soluble mineral dressings.

Regular inspection allows you to detect pests or early signs of disease and promptly take action to eliminate them.

Experienced gardening tips

It is worth listening to the recommendations of those who have been successfully growing cherries for many years:

1. In addition to nurseries, wild cherries for planting can be dug up where they are not needed and are usually cut down: from under power lines, near roads, in quarries.
2. The tree should be dug out with a large clod of earth and try to minimize damage to the roots.
3. During transportation, the roots of the seedling are wrapped in a wet cloth and packed in a plastic bag or oilcloth.
4. When planting, the space between the lump of earth and the edges of the pit is covered with a mixture of earth and sand in a ratio of 6: 4, so that the roots can breathe easier.
5. A piece of cloth is placed between the rope that attaches the tree to the stakes and the trunk so as not to damage the young bark.

Conclusion

To transplant cherries to another place, it is enough to allocate a large, well-lit plot of land, acquire or dig up a healthy, strong tree, and prepare the soil.

It is necessary to water and feed the plants abundantly, but without fanaticism, to weed the weeds. And the main thing is to love your garden. Compliance with these rules will help the cherry to get stronger and get used to a new place.