When and in what quantities you need to apply fertilizers for the apple tree

During growth and fruiting, the tree takes up nutrients from the soil in large quantities. Therefore, fertilizers under the apple tree must be periodically applied during the entire period of growth and fruiting. This will ensure good development of the plant, its resistance to unfavorable conditions and obtaining stable yields.

Fertilizers for apple trees applied in spring

In spring, trees begin to grow actively, covered with leaves and young shoots. At this time, the foundation is laid for the future harvest. It is clear that during this period, plants need enhanced nutritious nutrition. Even if the soil is fertile and fertilizers were applied in the fall, feeding the apple trees in the spring is necessary.

Mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizing, as well as their combinations can be applied under the trees. It should be borne in mind that nitrogen should prevail in spring feeding, which is necessary for the growth of green mass and shoots. From mineral compositions, urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, from organic - manure, peat, bird droppings. The first feeding of apple trees is carried out during the period of the appearance of young leaves and shoots, the second - a couple of weeks after flowering. It is better to use liquid top dressing. For its preparation, 12 grams of urea or 15 g of nitrate is diluted in 10 liters of water. But it is better to use mullein or poultry manure solution.

Feeding apple trees with manure and other organic fertilizers

In spring, trees need nitrogen primarily. This substance is rich in manure, low-lying peat and bird droppings. In order to quickly deliver the necessary nutrients to the roots, liquid dressings are used in the spring, which must be prepared before application.

• To prepare liquid fertilizing from manure (mullein), fresh excrement is placed in a container, then poured with water (approximately 1: 3), where they are infused for about 2 weeks. For better fermentation, the mass is periodically stirred and pierced. Before making, 1 liter of mullein is dissolved in 10 liters of water.
• Poultry manure fertilizer is prepared in the same way as mullein. Before adding the resulting mass is diluted with water 12-15 times.
• In the absence of manure and poultry droppings, an excellent liquid feeding can be prepared by infusing green mass of plants (green fertilizer). The tops of garden plants or grass are laid in a container and poured with water, covered and infused for 14-20 days. The finished solution is diluted with water (1:10).

These dressings are rich in nitrogen, but contain small amounts of potassium and phosphorus. Their efficiency will increase significantly if a glass of ash is added to each 10 liters of solution, as this is an excellent phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.

To apply the solution, a groove 10-15 cm deep is made around the perimeter of the tree crown, where fertilizers are poured. After this, the grooves are immediately buried. From 2 to 8 buckets of solution are applied under one tree (depending on the age and size of the apple tree). In order for nutrients to reach the roots of trees faster, apple trees are immediately watered abundantly.

Fertilizing apple trees in autumn

Autumn feeding of apple trees is carried out with phosphorus and potash fertilizers... Nitrogen should not be introduced in significant quantities, as this will reduce the resistance of trees to frost. However, a small addition of nitrogen to the fall feed stimulates root growth.

Organic fertilizers (compost, rotted manure, peat) are applied to a great depth.To do this, wells are dug along the periphery of the crown, up to 50 cm deep, into which organic matter (3-8 kg) is poured and wood ash or superphosphate (50 g), as well as about 30 g of potash fertilizers, are added.

On acidic soils, lime (100-300 g) is added, which can be replaced with chalk, limestone, bone or dolomite flour. After filling, the wells are buried.

If it is not possible to use organic matter on the site, then mineral fertilizers (potassium sulfate and superphosphate) 200-300 g under a tree. Add 10 g of ammonium sulfate or other nitrogen fertilizer.

Top dressing is applied in grooves 10-15 cm deep in dry form or in the form of an aqueous solution (a tablespoon of potassium sulfate and 2 tablespoons of superphosphate are dissolved in 10 liters of water). After completing this operation, the hole should be buried, the apple trees should be watered abundantly, and then the holes (near-trunk circles) should be well mulched.

Foliar feeding of apple trees

A good and quick effect is provided by spraying trees with nutrient solutions, which are absorbed into plant tissues through the surface of the leaves. But it should be borne in mind that foliar feeding of apple trees cannot replace the basic fertilizers applied under the roots. This is an additional quickly digestible food that improves the general condition of plants. Treated trees blossom and bear fruit better, shoot growth increases and winter hardiness increases.

You can combine such dressing with treatment against pests and diseases by adding appropriate agents to nutrient solutions.

Foliar dressing is carried out three times during the spring-summer period:

1. One week after flowering.
2. 20-30 days after the first.
3. 20-30 days after the second, about 3-4 weeks before harvest (prevents shedding of fruits).

Urea is usually used to prepare the nutrient solution. For the first two sprays, the solution is prepared at the rate of 30 g per bucket (about 2 tablespoons). For the last feeding, the concentration can be increased by 1.5-2 times.

A solution for foliar feeding can be made from a mullein. To do this, take 0.5 liters of mullein and dilute in 10 liters of water, add a teaspoon of urea. The solution is well shaken and filtered.

An effective remedy for such dressings is wood ash... In addition to phosphorus, potassium and calcium, it contains a large amount of trace elements. To prepare top dressing, 1 glass of ash must be poured with boiling water, after a while the volume of the solution should be brought to 10 liters.

Trace elements necessary for trees (manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper, sulfur, boron and others) are included in complex mineral fertilizers, such as "Kemira-Lux" or "Aquarin 5". They are highly soluble in water and can be used as independent fertilizing.

When spraying, not only the leaves should be moistened, but also the trunk and all skeletal branches. For best efficiency, foliar dressing should be carried out in the evening so that the solution does not evaporate longer (it is possible in cloudy weather).

The combination of root and foliar feeding of apple trees allows you to get rich yields of high-quality fruits every year. In addition, at the same time, the resistance of trees to unfavorable conditions and pests increases.