How to Plant a Cherry Tree: Planting Methods and Precautions Explained
Cherry blossom is a flowering plant species native to China, and it is now distributed in many countries around the world; it is a highly ornamental plant. Cherry blossoms are currently very popular on the market, which attracts many people to grow them, but before planting, you still need to have a comprehensive understanding of their growing techniques, otherwise problems may arise after planting.
How to Plant a Cherry Tree
1. Soil. Cherry blossoms have low requirements for soil and are suitable for growing in sandy or clay soil. Loose, fertile soil is best, but note that cherry blossoms are not tolerant of saline-alkaline conditions.
2. Light and temperature. Cherry blossoms like a growing environment full of sunshine, and the climate needs to be somewhat warm. When growing them, give sufficient light and keep the temperature relatively high; cherry blossoms can tolerate cold, but they are not very tolerant of wind, so wind protection is needed in winter.
3. Planting: Before planting, level the ground, and dig a hole 0.8 m in diameter and 0.6 m deep. First fill the hole with 10 cm of organic fertilizer, then put the seedling into the hole and spread the roots out in all directions.
Cherry Tree Planting Methods
1. Digging holes and planting: Before planting a cherry tree, level the ground, and dig a hole 0.8 m in diameter and 0.6 m deep. First fill the hole with 10 cm of organic fertilizer, then put the seedling into the hole and spread the roots out in all directions. After filling with soil, lift the seedling upward a little so the roots spread out deeply, then firm the soil. The planting depth should be about 5 cm above the upper layer of the seedling roots. After planting, water thoroughly and irrigate fully, and set up a stick support to prevent strong winds from blowing it over.
2. Reasonable watering: After the cherry tree is established, the seedling is prone to drought damage. In addition to fully watering at planting time, water once every 8-10 days afterward, keeping the soil moist but without standing water. After watering, loosen the soil promptly, and it is best to cover the ground surface with a thin layer of grass to reduce water evaporation. Within 2-3 years after planting, to prevent the trunk from drying out, it can be wrapped with rice straw. But after 2 to 3 years, when the sapling grows new roots and its adaptability to the environment gradually increases, there is no need to wrap it with grass anymore.
3. Timely fertilizing: Cherry blossoms are fertilized twice a year, and acidic fertilizer is preferable. One is winter fertilizer, applied in winter or early spring as organic fertilizer such as bean cake, chicken manure and decomposed fertilizer. The other is after the flowers fall, applying quick-acting fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ferrous sulfate and superphosphate. Generally, when fertilizing a large cherry tree, the hole application method can be used, that is, dig a ring-shaped trench about 10 cm deep at the edge of the vertical projection line of the crown, and apply the fertilizer into it. This is both simple and conducive to root absorption. As the tree grows, the diameter and depth of the fertilizing ring trench should also increase accordingly.
Precautions for Planting Cherry Blossoms
Prune during the growing season, and be careful not to damage the bark. After pruning, disinfect the wounds promptly. You can use a disinfectant agent and apply it to the wounds to prevent the wounds from rotting due to bacterial infection.
Cherry Blossom Pests and Diseases and Their Control
1. Leaf blight. Control method: Remove and burn diseased leaves, and spray Bordeaux mixture before germination. From May to June, spray 65% mancozeb wettable powder at 500 times dilution, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays.
2. Crown gall. Control method: Seedlings infected with crown gall must be destroyed in a centralized manner. Before planting, it is best to soak the seedlings in 1% copper sulfate for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash them with water, and then plant them. If diseased plants are found, the gall and its surrounding tissue can be completely removed with a knife or saw. For the soil around diseased plants, sulfur powder can also be scattered in at 50 g to 100 g per sq m for disinfection. At the same time, pay attention to improving the soil.
3. Scale insects. Control method: The most favorable period for controlling scale insects is the peak hatching stage of the nymphs, when 25% phosmet at 600 to 800 times dilution or 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution is sprayed. In winter and spring, spray 5 degrees Baume lime sulfur mixture, or 3% to 5% diesel emulsion, to eliminate overwintering nymphs. The effect is relatively good.
When planting cherry blossoms, be sure to pay attention to light and temperature, then the choice of soil, and then choose an appropriate time for planting. After planting, it is necessary to strengthen the work of fertilizer and water management, pest and disease control, and pruning. Only in this way can you ensure that the cherry blossoms grow healthily after planting.