Content
Water the cherries abundantly only for 1 season, immediately after rooting. Seedlings need large amounts of water (2-3 times a month) and additional fertilizing, especially in dry weather. Starting from season 2, the frequency is reduced to 1-2 times a month, with the exception of the hot season. Mature bushes aged 5 years and older do not need additional watering - they usually have enough rainfall. But periodically it is worth checking the soil with your finger - drying out of the soil is unacceptable.
Do I need to water the cherry
Cherries are drought-resistant plants, but they still need additional (artificial) watering. It is especially important to give water in such cases:
- Saplings during the first year of life - they need watering for 1.5-2 buckets every 2 weeks.
- Summer in dry, hot weather. At this time, water is given about 2 times a month (for adult bushes) and weekly for one-year-old seedlings.
- At the stage of fruit formation, the volume of liquid is increased only if necessary (the soil is very dry at a depth of 5-6 cm).
- In September: If you give the plant a lot of water, it will survive the winter frosts much better.
Judging by the experience of summer residents, the older the bush, the less watering it needs. If young seedlings are moistened regularly (2-3 times a month, and in hot weather weekly and sometimes even more often), then bushes aged 3 years and older should be moistened only as the soil dries out.
Adult cherries (5-10 years old and older) do not need watering at all, except for periods of prolonged drought
How often should you water the cherries
The frequency and amount of watering depends on both the season and the age of the tree. For example, after planting cherry trees should be watered weekly or 2-3 times a month. Saplings, starting from season 2, are given water only as the soil dries out. The main criterion is soil moisture. If at a depth of 5-6 cm (the size of the little finger) it remains noticeably moist, then the volume of water is sufficient.
If the soil is too moist, dirt sticks to the finger, watering should be stopped immediately, and a second “measurement” should be carried out after a week. Waterlogging has a detrimental effect on the plant - it often causes cherry roots to rot. Therefore, in general, it is better to regulate the volume according to the actual indicators.
How often to water cherries in spring
The main watering in spring is done in warm weather (April-May). Moreover, young, freshly rooted seedlings should be watered especially abundantly - at least 1 time per week. This regime of watering cherries continues in spring and summer. In all cases, use the same volume - 15-20 liters of water (1.5-2 buckets for 1 cherry).
From the second year of life onwards, there is no longer a special need to water the cherry in the spring. Now you can give 2 liters of water only in case of warm days in April and May, when the surface and the squat soil layer are almost completely dry. Frequency - once every 2 weeks or less often (if it rains).
How often to water cherries in summer
In the summer season, special attention is paid to watering cherries. First year seedlings should be given 1-2 buckets 2 times a month, with the exception of rainy weather. If the soil becomes too wet, you can skip 1 week and then navigate through the situation.
If there is a prolonged drought, intense heat for several days in a row, it is necessary to increase both the volume of irrigation and its frequency. Cherry seedlings at the age of 1 year are given 2 buckets, adult bushes over 3 years old - from 3 to 6 buckets of water. This irrigation regime lasts 1-2 times a month. In rare cases, water is given even more often, weekly. But in general, a single supply of water, for example, on weekends, is quite sufficient.
Almost all cherry varieties are highly drought tolerant, however, if water is not provided in the hot summer, the yield will decrease, and the fruits will become small
How often should cherries be watered in autumn
Despite the fact that the cherry is preparing for the dormant period in the fall, it still needs abundant watering - about the same as in summer. The fact is that if a tree is well watered before frost, it will survive the winter cold much better. This is especially true for regions with extremely frosty winters.
The watering mode is as follows:
- In warm seasons (September and Indian summer), water it 2-3 times a month so that the soil remains moderately moist at a depth of 5-6 cm.
- The last abundant watering is given immediately after the tree has completely shed its leaves.
If this is not possible, you can organize watering of cherries in September on a daily basis throughout the week. The volume of water in this case is 2 buckets per bush. Then the water supply should be completely stopped - the plant should have time to prepare for winter. At this point, the exchange processes begin to slow down.
How to water a cherry when planting
When planting, the seedling is watered with settled, sufficiently warm water (room temperature or higher). It is better to pre-soak it under the sun or indoors for at least a day. The volume for the first watering immediately after planting is about 2-3 buckets (20-30 l) per 1 seedling.
The sequence of actions is simple:
- Dig a hole of the correct size and depth.
- A fertile soil layer is laid.
- A cherry seedling is placed in the center.
- Sprinkle with earth.
- Watered with 2 liters of previously settled (within 12-24 hours) water.
At the same time, it is not necessary to immediately give nitrogen fertilizers or lime, since they can harm the root system of the plant. Therefore, it should be watered with plain water - without adding additional fertilizing.
The planting hole is immediately watered abundantly with 2-3 buckets of water
How to properly water a cherry
It is better to use isolated water for irrigation - for example, aged overnight, several days, or rainwater, stored in a container under the open sky. Well water is also allowed, but it must first be warmed to room temperature.
Watering methods are chosen depending on the age of the tree:
- Saplings need a particularly careful attitude. The best option is sprinkler irrigation (using a rotating sprayer). If there is no plumbing or other equipment nearby, you can get by with a watering can.
- Adult bushes aged 5-10 years and older can be watered in the traditional way - with water from buckets. However, the pressure in this case should be medium in strength - water from the bucket is gradually poured onto the trunk circle, the liquid is absorbed, after which a new portion is given. The most convenient way to do this is with a watering can.
- If there is a water supply, you can also water from a hose. In this case, it is also necessary to regulate the pressure, and most importantly, to correctly determine the volume of water.
- Finally, the most advanced method is drip irrigation, when water is supplied directly to the roots through small drippers. But cherry is not a capricious culture, therefore it does not feel a special need for such watering.
Can cherries be watered during flowering
Watering the cherry during flowering is required. This period usually falls in the first half of May (and in the southern regions, the first flowers appear at the end of April). Therefore, you should not give too much water. Usually 3-5 buckets per 1 bush are enough with regularity 2 times a month.
The only exceptions are those cases when already in May (and sometimes in April) there is hot, dry weather for a long time. The drought criterion is exactly the same - it is necessary to check the topsoil 5-6 cm deep. If it has become practically dry, then it is necessary to add 30-50 liters.
Experienced gardening tips
Experienced gardeners often do not adhere to a strict irrigation regime, but simply pay attention to precipitation, the condition of the soil and the bush itself. In addition, they use certain practical methods to avoid large losses of water. Therefore, you can pay attention to some practical advice from summer residents:
- Every spring and every autumn (before the onset of frost), the root circle must be mulched. For this, a layer of pine needles, sawdust, peat up to 6-7 cm high is poured. Mulch protects from rapid moisture loss in hot summer and from strong cooling of the soil in winter.
- During the application of top dressing, the soil must be moistened with 1-2 buckets of water - then mineral and organic substances are much better absorbed by the roots.
- Adult bushes (5-10 years old and older) practically do not need watering - you can give water only in extreme cases 2-3 times per season. If the region belongs to the zone of sufficient moisture, even this can be omitted.
- Since the seedlings of the first year of life need a lot of water, it is necessary to create a circular depression with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 20 cm. Then the water will remain in this “groove” and the number of irrigations can be reduced to 1-2 per month.
The presence of a small indentation in the trunk circle prevents water loss, so that the soil stays moist longer
Conclusion
You need to water the cherries correctly. Any settled water at room temperature or slightly warmer (25-27 degrees) is suitable for this. The volumes are adjusted depending on the condition of the soil. In any case, it is worth remembering the rule: young seedlings like frequent and abundant watering, and adult bushes usually have enough natural precipitation.
