Features of plum care in spring
The plum tree grows well on clay or loamy soil, which is rich in mineral and organic fertilizers. In order for a plant to have full growth, develop properly and bear fruit, it needs nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
One of the means that should be used to fertilize plums is potassium magnesia. It contains a lot of magnesium.
Initially, it is necessary to nourish the soil before planting seedlings in the ground. Place eggshells, mixed soil from the garden, peat, humus and minerals into the dug hole. We are talking about urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
It is also important to take into account that plums do not take root well in acidic soil, so in order to deoxidize it, you need to add lime or dolomite flour. Place it in the hole before planting the seedling. After this, mulch the tree with loose organic components, a layer of which is 5 cm. Further feeding will be needed only after a year.
It is necessary to fertilize the plum tree in the spring, since during this period it goes through important phases of its development: the formation of buds and their growth, ovaries. The growing season also occurs at this time of year. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is important to nourish the plant with macro and microelements.
In addition, there are rules for the procedure:
- pour liquid fertilizers into holes that need to be dug in advance 60-80 cm from the trunk;
- dig up the dry fertilizer along with the soil, and then water it;
- add manure and ash every 2-3 years;
- Only peat and compost are suitable for mulching;
- Green manure will also not harm plums. Their role is played by rye, mustard;
- Feed rich soil half as often as infertile soil.
By following these rules, you can properly fertilize the plum tree and not harm it. But tree care does not end only with fertilizing - watering is also important.
Gardeners determine its need by the level of precipitation that occurs in the spring. Approximately one plant requires 40 liters of water.
You should not overuse the procedure, because in a wetland the tree will not take root and may even die.
Features of additional care
The complex of basic plum care measures includes:
- fertilizer;
- crown formation;
- spraying;
- watering;
- protection from cold;
- pest control;
- harvesting;
- reproduction.
This list and their sequence depend on the variety and age of the plum. But the main difference is in the pruning methods.
Did you know? The homeland of plums is considered to be China and the Far East. It was from there that the culture spread throughout the world.
The first pruning is carried out while it is still a seedling, since it forms a lot of shoots . The main care consists of modeling frame branches with healthy, strong buds. This event is held in March. In the second half of July, the lateral processes are shortened again, without affecting the rod conductor.
In subsequent years, the formation of the crown is carried out with minimal pruning, aimed at freeing it from dysfunctional shoots . Activities are carried out in the summer. As soon as the tree shows signs of declining growth (crushing fruits, lack of shoots, etc.), rejuvenating pruning should be performed. At the same time, diseased, old branches are cut off. The work is carried out in early spring.
In the fall, you need to carry out sanitary pruning of the crop, cutting off broken, dry, and old branches
Fertilizer application periods
In the first year after planting, nitrogen fertilizers are not needed for plums in the spring. This is due to the fact that the root system is not developed, so this element is not absorbed. If there is an excess of nitrogen, the roots will grow by autumn. As a result, the plant will give the wrong reaction to this and produce many young shoots that will die in winter. In addition, the crop spent a lot of effort and nutritional components on their formation, so in winter it will be weakened and vulnerable. It is better to feed the plum in the spring with a mixture of phosphorus and potassium, thanks to which the wood will form earlier.
In spring, a two-year-old tree is sensitive to nitrogen-containing fertilizers. This time is ideal for foliar feeding with Ideal or a mixture of urea and water. Spraying should be carried out between the 1st and 7th of the first summer month. This approach will strengthen the plum’s immune system, which will increase resistance to disease.
Analysis of fertilizers for growing plums on various types of soil
Fertilizing plums in spring depends on the type of soil on which the tree grows. If the site has clay soil, it is recommended to add peat, lime, and sand. A little more is required for sandy soils: adding humus, peat, mulching and growing green manure.
Sandy loam soil is characterized by the addition of organic matter. In addition, mulching and green manure plants are necessary. Swampy areas need fertilizer. To do this, add clay flour. You will also need manure, compost, additives containing phosphorus, potassium. It is recommended to fertilize calcareous soil periodically. Feed with organic matter, potassium chloride. The soil is also mulched.
How to understand what a plum needs
Beginner gardeners often do not know what kind of feeding plum trees need in the spring. But their experienced colleagues advise paying attention to the external condition of the tree, since with a deficiency of certain macro and microelements, it sheds ovaries, fruits, and changes the color and size of foliage.
Element | Signs of Deficiency |
Nitrogen | The leaves become smaller and turn yellow, the ovaries and fruits fall off before they have time to ripen, the bark turns red, young shoots grow poorly |
Phosphorus | Vegetation and ripening of the crop occurs later, the branches and root system grow poorly, the leaves have a red and purple color, they fall off early |
Potassium | Leaves fade and curl |
Magnesium | The fruits fall unripe, the foliage becomes faded and falls off |
Copper | The leaves are affected by chlorosis, the tops of the shoots die, the buds on the sides come to life |
Iron | The leaves lose their color and begin to fall off early. The cream becomes smaller, and the branches die off from above |
Calcium | The formation of seeds and tree growth slows down, the tops of the shoots die, the foliage and ovaries fall off |
Zinc | The leaves become small, the young branches become thin, the flesh turns brown |
If you carefully examine the culture, these signs will immediately catch your eye and solving the problem will not be difficult.
What is missing from a plum?
Experienced gardeners notice a lack of micro- and macroelements based on the condition of the plant. Moreover, they can not only state a nutritional deficiency, but also say exactly what specific element the tree lacks.
Signs of deficiency:
Element | Symptoms |
Potassium | Leaves turn brown and curl |
Phosphorus | Light green leaves and lack of ovaries |
Nitrogen | Leaves turn yellow |
Magnesium | Leaf veins turn brown |
Calcium | The edges of the leaves become lighter |
Gland | The ends of the leaves turn pale |
Low soil fertility negatively affects not only the appearance of the tree, but also the yield. With a lack of nutrition, many ovaries fall off, productivity decreases, and fruits lose size and taste.
Classification of fertilizers for plums
Among the available preparations for feeding plum trees, you can use both mineral and organic products. Some people prefer folk remedies. In any case, when choosing the optimal product, you need to pay attention to the type of soil, its structure and saturation with useful components.
Mineral
This type of feeding is mainly used in the fall. Products from this category help the plant survive the winter and increase resistance to disease. Commonly used fertilizers of mineral origin:
- superphosphate is a simple chemical containing phosphorus. It is often added to the soil along with water;
- ammonium nitrate – contains nitrogen, which stimulates the development of young shoots;
- potassium sulfate – suitable for all stone fruits;
- dolomite flour - promotes plum growth and is necessary to increase yield;
- calcium nitrate – protects the tree from calcium deficiency;
- Kemira-Lux is a complex product containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen;
- potassium magnesium – fertilizing with potassium and magnesium;
- Iron chelate – prevents chlorosis caused by iron deficiency;
- magnesium nitrate – contains nitrogen and magnesium.
The application of mineral fertilizers should take into account the age of the plant and the phase of its development.
The use of these funds should take into account the age of the crop.
Organic
Organic matter is needed to increase the productivity of plums. But in addition to knowing what to add, you need to do it correctly. For example:
- Chicken droppings. To obtain fertilizing, you need to dilute 0.5 kg of the substance in 6 liters of water and leave it in a warm place. As soon as the solution has fermented, you can water the tree trunk circle. But moisten the soil before the procedure.
- Mullein. Dilute it in a ratio of 1:10 and leave to ferment. Then water the plum.
- Nettle infusion. Fill 2/3 of the bucket with nettles without seeds, add water and leave for a week. Before use, dilute with a small amount of clean water.
- Manure. Dilute 1 kg of substance in 10 liters of liquid. Apply fertilizer at the rate of 2 liters per plant. Can also be used dry. To do this, you need to mix 10 kg of manure with 200 g of wood ash, 60 g of superphosphate, 20 g of urea and 20 g of potassium salt. Add the resulting product to the ground, and then dig up the top layer. The resulting product is enough to feed 1 m² of area with a tree.
- Ash. It can also be used dry or as a solution. In the first case, it should be brought into a ditch dug in advance to a depth of 15 cm, and sprinkled with earth on top. For an adult crop you will need 2 kg. If using a solution, mix the ash with water. Pour the mixture into the prepared groove. One plum will require 1 liter of solution.
Gardeners love organics due to their large amount of nutrients. In addition, they can restore the soil for the full development of the crop and its fruiting.
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Planting plum
Planting plums is possible both in spring and autumn (October), but most gardeners consider the first option to be preferable. When choosing a place for a seedling, you need to take into account that plum trees do not tolerate drought well, but they also cannot tolerate stagnant water and high groundwater levels (they must be at a depth of at least one and a half meters). It is also not recommended to plant plum trees near tall trees, which create shade and take away moisture from the tree. Let's take a closer look at how to properly plant a plum in the spring.
This is done in April before the buds open. 2 weeks before planting, in a sunny and wind-protected area with fertile and necessarily loose soil of any type, dig a hole with a depth and diameter of 60-75 cm. Humus (in a 1:1 ratio) and 250 g of superphosphate are added to the soil removed from the hole. and mix everything.
If the soil is acidic, it needs to be limed (for example, dolomite flour or ash - about 500 g).
- Soil acidity: determine and regulate
If your soil is highly acidic, this can seriously harm your plants. How do you know when it's time to take action?
- How much lime should be added to the soil on the site
We tell you how to properly lime the soil.
Then a layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom, and the hole is half filled with prepared fertile soil. The plum seedling is planted so that the root collar is 3-4 cm above the ground surface. The roots are straightened and covered with soil, lightly compacted so that there are no voids left around them. After which the seedling is watered with 3-4 buckets of water, and when the moisture is absorbed, mulched with humus or peat.
When planting a vigorous plum, a peg is dug into the hole, to which the seedling is tied using a soft rope. In this case, there should be a distance of about 10-15 cm between the seedling and the peg. For group plantings, the distance between plants should be about 3 m.
Methods of fertilizing
Spring fertilizing of a plum tree can be divided not only by the type of fertilizer used, but also by the method it is carried out. So there are two methods: root and foliar.
Root
This type involves feeding into the soil near the root system. When choosing to apply fertilizer at the root, you should also consider how to do it. In liquid form, it is important to maintain the correct concentration. In powder form or granular form, the fertilizer should be scattered under the tree, mixing a little with the soil.
Granular fertilizer in the spring is needed before the leaves bloom. If you don’t have time, it’s better to postpone the procedure until the fall. For this, azophosphate and superphosphate are used, which, as they dissolve, will nourish the plum throughout the growing season.
To get a good harvest, fertilize in this way up to three times a year.
Foliar
This scheme is ideal for the spring season, when it is important to quickly deliver nutritional components to the plum. This will only take two days.
When foliar feeding, the preparations should be sprayed on the foliage and branches of the plant. Thanks to this approach, the tree will become resistant to disease, and the shoots and root system will receive the necessary components. This will have a positive effect on fruiting. Fertilizer should be applied at the root in the spring or during the growing season.
Features of spring feeding
In the spring, add nitrogen, potassium and magnesium to the soil. These three substances are necessary for the growth of green mass, shoot development, flowering and fruiting. You can use organic or mineral fertilizers. When choosing the latter, give preference to granular products. If you missed the deadlines for fertilizing, add minerals already during flowering. Use liquid fertilizers, but follow the dosage.
Concentrates can be harmful to the tree if used in large doses. Pour them not into the root, but into previously prepared holes at a distance of 0.5 m from the trunk.
In the spring, feed the plant with 2% ammonium nitrate concentrate, 0.5% urea, compost, manure, chicken manure, humate or potassium sulfate, dolomite flour, potassium magnesium, superphosphate, nitrophoska.
Apply fertilizers in two ways - into the soil or spray on the leaves. The latter method is used for express nutrition, when there is an urgent need to compensate for the deficiency of substances.
What to consider when applying fertilizers
When using fertilizers, it is important to take into account not only the time of year, but also the age of the crop and what elements are contained in the soil.
When planting seedlings
Tree planting mainly occurs in spring and autumn. Planting early in the season will give the best results because the plant has the necessary time to take root and become stronger for future cold weather.
To help the seedling, it needs to be fed. To do this, use the following operating algorithm: add to the prepared planting hole:
- ash – 1 tbsp.;
- superphosphate – 200 g;
- ammonium nitrate – 3 tbsp;
- potassium sulfate – 3 tbsp.
These components can be mixed with soil that will cover the roots. Ash can be replaced with dolomite flour. If the land is infertile and poor, then you will need to add compost and peat.
The use of these substances should be based on their content in the soil.
If planting occurs in the fall, then ammonium nitrate is not needed. It is important to plant 45-60 days before the first frost.
Feeding young trees
A year after planting, the trees should be fertilized with preparations or components containing nitrogen before the first harvest. The foliage should be sprayed with urea diluted according to the following scheme: 20 g of substance per 5 liters of liquid. A solution of urea will also work.
The second fertilization should be carried out from June 1 to June 10 after the plum blossoms. To do this, you will need nitrophoska at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water.
The last feeding of the young crop should be in August. It requires 15 g of sulfate and superphosphate. Combine this mixture with 70 g of ash and pour into a bucket of liquid. Apply this solution to the soil. One tree needs about 25 liters of water.
Fertilizing a mature tree
After 3-5 years the first harvest will appear. An adult crop needs more nutrition for full growth and healthy fruits.
Before the growing season, fertilizing with aquarin is necessary - a complex fertilizer. It is diluted at the rate of 20 g per bucket of liquid. It is also suitable for the period after flowering.
Over the next years, per 1 m² of plot you will need:
- compost – 10 kg;
- urea – 20-30 g;
- superphosphate – 50-60 g; potassium sulfate – 20-25 g.
This amount of components is enough for an adult plum to last for the flowering period.
The nutritional pattern for trees that produce crops is as follows:
- Fertilizer must be introduced for the first time before the growing season. To do this, use a solution of 30 g of urea per 10 liters of water along with potassium sulfate. Before using the product, moisten and loosen the soil. One tree requires no more than 20 liters of liquid fertilizer.
- The second procedure should be at the cream ripening stage. To prepare the fertilizer, dissolve 40 g of nitroammophoska and 30 g of urea in a bucket of liquid. Apply 30 liters of the resulting mixture per crop.
- The last feeding is necessary after harvesting the fruits. To do this, use a solution of 30 g of potassium sulfate and 40 g of superphosphate dissolved in 10 liters of water. One plum will require 2 buckets of the resulting mixture.
During the autumn digging of the garden, potassium magnesium should be added to the soil along with fertilizers that contain phosphorus. In this case, fertilizing is needed in dry form.
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How can you fertilize plums?
Fertilizing involves the application of both organic and mineral fertilizers.
We advise you to read how to make a plum blossom and bear fruit.
The following toppings are suitable for plums:
- Compost or rotted manure. They perfectly nourish the plant and improve the soil structure. It becomes loose, air exchange improves. These fertilizers are applied when digging or plowing the soil. The norm is 1 bucket for an adult plum. If the soil is highly acidic, manure is mixed with lime (0.5 kg per tree). It is spread around the tree trunk area, the soil is loosened and watered.
Attention! In autumn, you cannot fertilize plum trees with fresh manure. As it decomposes, it releases heat and gases that can damage the roots. - Bird droppings or pig manure. Perfectly stimulates the growth of green mass. Since they contain a lot of nitrogen, they are not used in the fall.
- Wood ash. The most affordable product that is obtained by burning wood. Contains 17 minerals that are responsible for good growth and fruiting. In addition, this fertilizer reduces the acidity level of the soil. For an adult tree you will need 200–300 g of the substance.
Wood ash contains 17 microelements that enrich the soil and nourish plants. In addition, ash normalizes the acid balance, and plums love alkaline soils. - Potassium-containing supplements. They are responsible for removing excess liquid from the branches and trunk. In autumn, fertilize with potassium chloride (100 g per tree). Apply during digging, then water the soil abundantly, or dilute it in a bucket of water and water the soil.
Potassium-containing fertilizers ensure maximum removal of liquid from the trunk and branches, as a result of which the frost resistance of the tree increases - Phosphorus fertilizers. They are responsible for the growth and strengthening of the root system, as well as the absorption of sugar and protein. Bone meal is suitable for plums. Dose - 50 g per 1 sq. m. Not used when cultivating plums on sandstone.
Important! When growing plums on sandy soil, phosphorus fertilizers are not applied. - Superphosphates. Contain a high concentration of calcium, potassium, and sulfur. At the same time, the nitrogen content in them is minimal. The norm is 60–70 g for an adult tree. It is recommended to add potassium magnesium simultaneously with such fertilizing. This will ensure the growth of young branches.
Superphosphates belong to highly soluble fertilizers, therefore they are easy to use - Calcium. Essential for strengthening roots. Contained in superphosphates, therefore, when using them, additional drainage is not required.
Nuances of tree nutrition during the period of ovary and fruiting
To feed a plum, it is necessary to take into account its age and period of development. But many make mistakes that can lead to the death of a culture.
Before flowering
Vegetation is one of the most important stages in obtaining fruits. Before budding, you need to use a mixture of 1 part manure and 2 parts water. Water the area around the plum with the resulting liquid, moving 30 cm away from the crown.
Before the inflorescences appear, it is important to use a urea solution. Spray the crop with it at the rate of 10 liters per plant.
After the flowers fall
After the inflorescences fall, fertilizers are used taking into account the type of soil and plum variety. Features of feeding:
- mineral fertilizers will help reduce the risk of developing the disease;
- Chicken manure is often used as organic matter.
Root feeding in the first month of summer is done using saltpeter. The granules should be scattered in the root area and dug into the soil. Thanks to this, the plum will receive useful components for a long period.
Fruit ripening
In mid and late summer, fertilizer is also necessary, since the tree loses a lot of strength and nutrients to ripen the fruits. Therefore, it is often possible at this time to see crops with yellow foliage or affected by diseases.
Before applying fertilizer, it is important to inspect your plum tree for signs of nutritional deficiency. If the first symptoms appear, measures should be taken immediately.
If you decide to use copper sulfate, then you cannot mix it with other substances to avoid burns on the branches.
In the fall, you also need to feed the plum to strengthen it and help it form new buds in the spring.
Feeding plums in spring during flowering
In spring, organic and mineral fertilizers are used for plums. The rate of their application and type directly depend on the age of the tree.
Feeding young plums
The next year after planting, the plum tree does not need additional nutrition, since the hole is filled with a substrate rich in micro- and macroelements.
Nitrogen is not used at this stage: the root system is still poorly developed, therefore, with increased shoot growth, the tree becomes weakened by wintering. In the agroclimatic conditions of the middle zone, such a specimen will die or be severely damaged by frost and winter wind.
Feeding a two-year-old plum
But with the arrival of next spring, before flowering begins, the soil should be enriched with nitrogen using a urea solution - 20 g of the product per bucket of water. The method of feeding is foliar using a fine sprayer.
At the end of May it is also recommended to use nitroammophoska. Feeding is prepared from 40 g of fertilizer and 10 liters of water. First, the area around the trunk is loosened, watered abundantly, and then a liquid nutrient mixture is added. The consumption rate is 30 liters per copy.
Feeding a three-year-old plum tree
When the crop gains strength and is ready for intensive fruiting, in the spring it should be fertilized with organic matter - a solution of mullein or bird droppings. They promote the growth of root mass.
The working fluid is prepared in a ratio of 1:10. Consumption rate – 40-50 l for wood.
In May, it is better to add 20 g of superphosphate and half the amount of potassium sulfate. Products must be diluted in water. The areas around the drain trunks are spilled with a working solution at the rate of 3 buckets for one specimen.
A blooming plum should not be fed: all manipulations are carried out during the budding period.
Nitrogen-containing agrochemicals can be applied during the swelling phase of the buds, but this can cause later fruiting: the plant’s energy is directed to the intensive development of the crown and underground part.
What is best for yellow plum varieties?
Increasingly, yellow fruits can be found in gardens. They are a hybrid of plum and cherry plum. In spring, care for this variety is as follows:
- feeding;
- irrigation;
- foliar fertilizer;
- other types of procedures, no different from other varieties.
Experienced gardeners recommend using complex mineral fertilizers for yellow fruits, and organic fertilizers once every 2-3 years.
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How often to water a plum tree
Plum is a rather moisture-loving plant. However, precipitation is usually sufficient for her. Watering may only be required during dry periods. This can be determined by the curling of the leaves and drying of the fruits, as the tree reflexively tries to reduce the area of evaporation and reduce moisture loss.
When to water a plum tree in spring
In spring, air humidity is quite high, so watering the plum tree is not required. An exception is made only during drought, then at the end of May, abundant watering should be done for each tree to stimulate fruit set and shoot growth.
Is it possible to water a blossoming plum tree?
There is no need to water a blooming plum tree. High humidity during this period negatively affects flower pollination.
How to water a plum tree in summer
During the summer, 3-4 waterings of plum trees are done. The amount may vary depending on the weather; in rainy summers, watering may not be needed at all. If atmospheric moisture is clearly not enough, watering is done approximately once every 2–3 weeks. 5–8 buckets are poured under each tree, depending on its age. During fruiting, the plum should be watered with caution; too much water can lead to cracking of the fruit.
Watering plums in the summer after fruiting
After harvesting, plums are watered only during dry periods. The last time this is done is after the leaves have fallen, this is the so-called moisture-charging watering. After this, watering the trees completely stops.
What to do to increase productivity
When growing fruit trees, you want to get a rich harvest of fruits. Plum is no exception to this rule. To increase yield in spring you need:
- use yeast tincture. To do this, dissolve 20 substances in 1 liter of warm water, add 1 tsp. sugar and leave for 7 days. Then stir the resulting mixture in a bucket of liquid and fertilize the trees;
- add eggshell powder to the tree trunk circle;
- spray the plant with 1 tsp. honey dissolved in 1 liter of liquid. This will help attract bees;
- After the snow melts, cover the sprayed bark.
When performing such activities, it will be possible to collect a lot of fruits.
Feeding mature trees
Fruit-bearing trees must be fed in the spring. A tree, having received a portion of nutrients, will be able not only to produce a good harvest, but also to avoid many diseases associated with a lack of minerals. Nitrogen fertilizers must be applied to mature plums to stimulate the growth of green mass.
What fertilizers are needed for mature plums in spring:
- The tree is fed before flowering. The plum is watered with three buckets of a solution of urea and potassium sulfate (40 g per bucket of water). Every three years, the tree is fertilized with rotted manure - it is scattered in a circle around the trunk.
- In spring, potassium magnesium is added under the plum tree. This drug harmonizes the composition of the soil. Dosage - according to the manufacturer's instructions. On average they take 3 tbsp. l. per 1 sq. m.
Plum trees are fertilized only with well-rotted manure. In fresh manure, nitrogen is in an unbound state and is not absorbed by the plant.
The concern for tree nutrition does not end with spring feeding. The gardener has to fertilize the plum tree during its fruiting period. For summer feeding, you need to stock up on superphosphate, potassium sulfate and urea.
Fertilizer for different regions
There is an opinion that fertilizing plum trees differs depending on the region of growth. In fact, fertilizing may differ depending on the type of soil in which the crop grows.
Due to the fact that in the Urals, Siberia, the Moscow region and other areas of the country the soil is different, the care will be different. The substances used and the elements introduced also change: poor soil must be nourished, and acidic soil must be deoxidized. Therefore, we need to pay attention to this factor, and not to the region.
Feeding seedlings
The seedlings do not need additional feeding. When they are planted in the holes, additives necessary for growth and development are added, which nourish the young plants for a long time.
To provide the seedlings with the necessary nutrients during planting, add the following substances to the soil:
- Humus - 1 bucket;
- Peat – 1 bucket;
- Granulated superphosphate – 250-300 g;
- Wood ash (dolomite flour, fluff lime) – 0.5 kg.
Gardener mistakes
Gardeners often make mistakes when growing plums precisely at the stage of feeding them. First of all, they abuse fertilizers, which has a bad effect on the tree: its condition and yield. To avoid such situations, it is important to always follow the instructions and not exceed the permissible dosage.
Another mistake is using expired fertilizers. To get the desired result, the products must be fresh.
Feeding plum trees in the spring is not difficult. You just need to choose the right fertilizer, adhere to the procedure algorithm and adhere to the recommendations of specialists.
How to increase productivity
To realize the main goal - obtaining a high yield, gardeners resort to a variety of tricks. Along with conventional fertilizers, they introduce special “feed” designed to increase productivity.
An increase in yield is observed after fertilizing:
- Yeast. 20 g of yeast are diluted in 1 liter of water. After a week, the infusion is diluted in a bucket of water and poured under the root.
- Bread crusts. 1/3 of the bucket is filled with crusts and filled with water. The soaked bread is left to steep for a week. A bucket of crust infusion is diluted with water 1:3 and poured under the root. To enhance the effect, add whey - 200-300 g.
- Eggshell. It is added to deoxidize and enrich the soil with calcium. The shells are first crushed and then scattered under the tree.
Recommendations
The tree is treated with Extrasol during the period when flower stalks appear. The drug will prevent the risk of developing diseases. The solution is applied once a week.
The number of fruits is increased by adding the Healthy Garden solution. To prepare it you will need to mix 2 peas with 1 tablespoon of Extrasol. The concentration of this solution is enough to treat two trees. After treatment with this solution, the number of fruits increases significantly.
You should pay attention to the amount of harvest. A bountiful harvest can break a branch. A support is placed under the branch so that it does not break under the pressure of the drain.
A bread solution is made to increase the sweetness of the fruit. The bread solution is made using the following method:
- Bread tops and crusts should be set aside.
- The bread is dried to a dry state.
- The bucket is 1/3 filled with dried humps and then filled with water.
- Next, add a shovel of wood ash and 1 packet of “Shine” product to the bucket.
- You should leave the bucket with the solution for 10 days until it is completely ready.
- For 10 liters of water, 1 liter of the resulting liquid is used.
- Before fertilizing, you need to water the tree with plain water.
Types of organic animal nutrition
All types of organic fertilizers of animal origin are suitable for plums.
It is necessary to take into account the composition of garden soil in order to give preference to one or another fertilizer:
- Cow manure, or mullein, is suitable for any soil when fertilizing in the fall and planting seedlings at this time of year.
- Horse manure is only suitable for clay soil, in which it decomposes slowly. It is unsuitable for sandy light soils because it decomposes too quickly. If such fertilizer was already applied last year, then the next fertilizing should be no earlier than in a year.
- Rabbit, sheep, and goat manure is used similarly to horse manure.
- Pork is the least effective; it is only suitable for sandy soils.
- Chicken manure for autumn feeding is used only in the form of an aqueous infusion fermented for at least two weeks in a ratio of 1:20. Suitable for any soil.
Feeding young plums
Feeding young plums requires special attention. The first year after planting, the seedlings are not fed at all. They have enough nutrients in the soil. Moreover, excess feeding will contribute to the development of diseases.
The tree begins to produce new shoots in mid-autumn. As a result, the plum becomes weakened by winter. In such a situation, the plum dies when the first frost appears. To avoid this, fertilizing begins already in the second year after planting.
Nitrogen is added to the soil in the first year of life. The fertilizer is made from 30 liters of water and 20 grams of urea. This amount of water will be required for 1 young tree.
Plums usually produce good harvests within a year. Experts advise that in a year when there is no harvest, avoid applying fertilizer in the fall, and in the next season limit yourself to only summer fertilizing, since excess nutrients will lead to an increase in the vegetative mass of the tree to the detriment of the future harvest. Now you know what to feed the plum and when you need to add the right mixture of nutrients. Before eating, plums should be washed thoroughly. Their skin is always covered with yeast fungi. Do not use fruits with mold or other lesions. It is unacceptable to consume more than 6 large fruits at one time. Following this simple rule will help avoid negative effects. With reasonable use of this product, it is possible to improve health, improve well-being, and also cleanse the body. Cheerfulness and good mood are guaranteed.
How to feed a plum tree for the first time
If the plum tree develops normally, then the first application of fertilizing is carried out at 2-3 years. It is preferable to use organic fertilizers - compost mixture, sawdust, well-rotted manure, bird droppings, urea, wood ash, and superphosphate. The proportions of applied fertilizer are calculated based on its amount per m2.
Compost mixture/humus 10-12 kg
Manure, bird droppings 8-10 kg
Urea 0.025 kg
Wood ash 0.2 kg
Peat 10 kg
Proper application of fertilizing is an equally important nuance. To do this, you need to dig up the plum shallowly, retreating about 50-60 cm from the trunk. After this, fertilizer is applied, and after a few hours the soil around the tree is dug up again.
You can create a nutritional complex for plums from several types of organic fertilizer. For example, a combination of peat, urea and wood ash will be successful.
FAQ
Which fertilizers should you prefer: homemade ones or those sold in garden centers?
Both options have both undeniable advantages and obvious disadvantages. So, if you prepare a nutrient mixture for plums yourself, the recipe may be violated, which will make the fertilizer useless. The disadvantage of ready-made fertilizers is often their high cost. In addition, you may encounter a low-quality product or a fake that can harm not only the plum tree, but also other plants in the garden.
Is it possible to fertilize a plum tree by irrigating the crown?
Can. This method of feeding is especially effective in the spring, when green mass is formed, and in the summer, during the active growing season. However, industrially produced fertilizers specially designed for this purpose should be used.
Is it possible to combine treating plum trees against pests and applying fertilizers?
It is not recommended to combine these important procedures in the life cycle of a fruit tree. There must be at least 7 days between them. Otherwise, the load on the plum can be disastrous.