Key Points and Methods of Sweet Cherry Fertilization Techniques Explained

Sweet cherry is one of the earliest-maturing species among deciduous fruit trees, but traditionally cultivated sweet cherries bear late, yield poorly, and bring low returns. Practice has proven, however, that mastering scientific and reasonable fertilization techniques can make early high yields of sweet cherry a reality. So how should sweet cherry be fertilized? Let's take a look together.

I. Nutrient Requirements

Sweet cherry fertilization should be based on tree vigor, tree age, soil fertility, and the nutrient requirements of the cultivar, with good mastery of fertilization timing, methods, and rates, so as to promptly supply the various elements needed for the growth and development of sweet cherry, thereby achieving the goals of strong trees, high quality, and high yield. Young trees under 3 years old are still in the crown-expansion stage, when demand for nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer is relatively high; nitrogen fertilizer should be the mainstay, supplemented with an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer, to promote early formation of the crown. For bearing trees 4-6 years old, besides crown expansion and shoot and leaf growth, they are also in the process of transitioning from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, so promoting flower bud differentiation is the key point; at this time the nitrogen fertilizer rate should be controlled and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer increased. For bearing trees 7 years and older, fruit growth and development demand more potassium fertilizer, so the potassium fertilizer rate should be increased.

II. Fertilization Principles

Sweet cherry fertilization should be based mainly on organic fertilizer; organic fertilizer not only has comprehensive nutrients but also improves soil texture and structure, which is beneficial to sweet cherry root growth and expands the root range. For early base fertilizer, applying more organic fertilizer can increase the plant's nutrient reserves, raise the fruit-setting rate, increase yield, and improve quality. During the growing season, the key fertilization periods should be identified; during the growing season, vigorous growth should first be promoted, then the crown should be controlled in time to promote flower bud differentiation.

III. Fertilization Techniques

Autumn base fertilizer is based mainly on organic fertilizer, generally applied in September-October, and earlier application is better, as this allows the fertilizer effect to come into play sooner and is beneficial to the tree's nutrient reserves. The main application methods for base fertilizer are the radial furrow and ring furrow methods. During the flowering and fruiting period, cherry consumes a large amount of nutrients, so its nutrient requirements are relatively high, and quick-acting fertilizer needs to be applied as a top dressing at the right time and in sufficient amount to raise the fruit-setting rate and increase single fruit weight. At this time, fertilization is based mainly on nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer; generally about 1 kg of compound fertilizer is applied per full-bearing tree. In addition, borax can be sprayed 1-2 times during the flowering period, and monopotassium phosphate can be sprayed 2-3 times during the coloring period, preferably in the afternoon or evening.

The above is an introduction to sweet cherry fertilization techniques. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.