You need to start caring for apple trees in early spring, before warm weather sets in. Otherwise, the trunks will not have time to recover after the winter period.
Correct fit
The most important thing is to plant the tree correctly. If you deepen the root collar of a seedling when planting, then this is a mistake. It must be remembered that the seedling is lowered another 5 cm along with the settling soil. In low areas, it is necessary to raise the seedling on soil mounds by 25 cm.
Apple tree pruning
Medium pruning is a procedure in which the yield of an apple tree can increase by almost half. It consists of shortening the shoots by 2/3 of the length, as well as removing branches to reduce the volume of the crown. Thin branches are trimmed using garden shears, and thick branches are cut down. The cut areas must be treated with garden lubricant.
Watering a tree
Proper watering is the key to a good harvest. The apple tree needs to be watered only 4 times: before buds open, 3 weeks after blossoming, 3 weeks before harvest, and the last time in October.
Norm of one watering:
- for apple trees 1-2 years old - 2-3 buckets;
- for apple trees 3-5 years old - 5-8 buckets;
- for trees 6-10 years old - 12-15 buckets.
The best option for watering trees is using furrows or drips.
Benefits of insects
Attract insects to your dacha that will pollinate the apple trees. To do this, plant fragrant herbs nearby - mint, basil, dill.
Try not to use pesticides during the flowering period, as they have a detrimental effect on pollinating insects. Do not carry out painting work. The smell of paint will overpower the aroma of flowers.
Pest Control
Get rid of pests in the embryonic state (larvae, eggs), and not when they have multiplied. In early spring, spray the trees with a mixture of copper sulfate and lime. The first spraying is done at the end of March, before the buds open. Avoid using chemicals to kill pests.
Most often, summer residents have to fight aphids. To treat the tree, use a solution of karbofos.
Many larvae overwinter in tree bark. Therefore, in the fall, inspect the tree trunk, walk along it with a brush, and remove the old bark.
Branch position
Not everyone knows that horizontally growing branches produce much more fruit. To achieve this, you can:
- drive pegs into the ground and tie apple tree branches to them;
- hang weights from branches, causing them to tilt.
Important! The branches should be in a horizontal position. If you give them the shape of an arc, then tops will appear, which are of no use and take strength from the tree.
Fertilizing the apple tree
It is necessary to feed the apple tree correctly. Ammonium nitrate and chicken manure can be used as fertilizer.
Important! Do not disturb the soil directly under the tree, otherwise you may damage the roots. It is allowed to loosen and dig around the edges a little.
If the tree lacks calcium, the apples will begin to spoil by the end of the season. Therefore, summer residents need to apply foliar calcium supplements 4-6 times, depending on the variety.
Apply these tips and you will increase the productivity of your apple trees several times.
