Almonds are an amazing plant that grows in the southern regions of our country. Thanks to new varieties bred by breeders, the crop can be grown in other areas. In our article, we want to talk about how to grow almonds in the garden.
A bit of culture…
Almond is a small tree or shrub belonging to the plum family. In total, there are more than 40 varieties of culture. However, most often, ordinary almonds are grown on personal plots. Many consider almonds a nut. But actually it is not. It is a stone fruit. The plant comes from Central Asia and the Mediterranean. In these regions, it appeared long before our era. Currently, almonds also grow in the Caucasus, Crimea, California, the Western Tien Shan, China, in the vineyards of Slovakia, South Moravia and the Czech Republic.
In the wild, almonds prefer rocky and rubble slopes with calcium-enriched soil. Trees grow in small groups, consisting of 3-4 bushes located 5-7 meters from each other.friend.
Description of the tree
The almond tree grows up to 4-6 meters in height, and the shrub only up to 2-3 meters. The roots of the plant penetrate deep into the soil, which makes it possible for it not to suffer from drought. It is difficult to describe how almond blossoms. The tree during this period looks stunningly beautiful. Flowers are white or light pink. They reach a diameter of 2.5 centimeters. Flowering culture occurs in March or April, even before the first leaves appear. The fruit of the tree is a dry drupe. The culture begins to bear fruit from 5-6 years, and the process reaches its peak at 10-12 years. The culture is capable of delighting with nuts for 50-80 years. And some specimens live up to 130 years. The common almond is a plant that needs cross-pollination. In order for fruiting to begin, several more pollinating plants must be planted near the tree, and their flowering periods must certainly coincide.
In addition to the fact that the culture produces beautiful and tasty fruits, decorative almonds please with their stunningly beautiful flowering. The plant is a honey plant. During the flowering period, it exudes a magical aroma. Basically, the plant is pollinated by bees, so it is best to put hives on the site.
Before planting almonds in the garden, you need to consider your options for pollination: either you will grow a variety that requires cross-pollination or a species that needs insects.
Varieties
Speaking about how to grow almonds, you need to know that modernbreeders brought out a variety of its varieties. If earlier it was possible to plant a crop only in the southern regions, now you can pick up varieties that tolerate winter well under cover.
The following varieties of almonds are the most popular:
- Anniversary. Plants bloom late, tolerate drought well, have a sweet core.
- Ayudagsky is a late-ripening early-growing variety. The first fruiting occurs in the third year of life.
- Sevastopol variety is resistant to heat and drought, has a high yield.
- Mangul is a late maturing drought tolerant species. The variety is very resistant to pests and diseases.
- Dessert is good for growing in central Russia, because it is not afraid of frost. Plants use Spicy and Seaside Almonds for pollination.
Almond blossom
If you have ever seen an almond blossom, you will certainly want to have such a tree on your site. And it's not even in the kernels, but in the beauty of the plant. In addition, during the flowering period, almonds fill the air with an amazing aroma.
After the fruits are formed on the trees, ripening in June-July, depending on the variety. Harvest after cracking the outer shell. Next, the nuts are separated from the outer shell and dried for several days.
Boarding rules
Beginning gardeners who decide to plant a crop are thinking about how to grow almonds. Experts recommend using annual seedlings for planting. They can be planted inopen ground in March or November.
The very first question that gardeners have is: "Where to plant almonds on the site?" The plant does best in sunny places. It is preferable to choose a place protected from drafts and wind. Almond grows well in partial shade.
It is believed that almond seedlings take root better when planted in the fall. Before planting a plant in open ground, it is necessary to prepare a hole for it. Its size should correspond to the parameters: diameter - 50 cm, and depth - 70 cm. If you are planning a group planting of almonds, then the distance between trees should be 3-4 meters, and between rows - 5-6 meters.
At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to make a drainage layer of gravel and crushed stone. Fertile soil is poured on top, consisting of humus (2 parts), leafy soil (3 parts), sand (1 part), superphosphate (0.5 kg). If the soil in the area is acidic, you can add 250 grams of lime.
After the soil is prepared, the seedling is placed in the middle of the hole so that the root neck is located 3-5 centimeters above the ground. Then the hole is covered with soil and tamped, while not forgetting to water the plant. If you are planning a spring planting, the site must be prepared from the fall.
Plant care
Planting and caring for an almond tree is not difficult. Trees need regular watering. Young plants are watered every two weeks, and adults - once every 20-25 days. Loosening the soil promotes the growth of seedlings. First work on the soilcan start at the end of March. Further, during the growing season, it is necessary to carry out three or four more loosening. In addition, weeds must be removed as they appear.
Fertilization
Knowing how to grow almonds can lead to good yields if you are interested. The plant is very responsive to fertilizing. From the second year of life, in April or May, 20 grams of urea or ammonium nitrate diluted in water can be added to the trunk circle. In autumn, a mixture of manure (1 kg), superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (20 g) is applied.
Almonds spend a lot of energy on fruiting, so for good flowering and harvesting, gardeners recommend fertilizing and fertilizing every year.
Pruning trees
Trees of all varieties of almonds tolerate pruning well, including young flowering pagons in spring. After winter, dry shoots will certainly be cut off. Also remove diseased and deformed branches. Immediately after flowering, it is necessary to carry out a formative pruning, during which three tiers of branches are removed. Almond grows quickly, so very often it takes on an overgrown appearance. In order to keep the crown in good condition, one-year-old shoots are pruned.
In cold winters, flower buds and even tips of shoots can freeze near trees. You can protect branches from freezing by pinching their tips. The procedure is performed from July to August. After such a manipulation, the branches quickly become woody, and they are no longer afraid offreezing. At first glance, it seems that the method is incomprehensible and ineffective. In fact, it gives the best results in protecting against cold.
Stand-shaped varieties of almonds are the most sensitive to frost. Experienced gardeners recommend covering them with agrofiber or other materials for the winter to protect the grafting site.
In autumn, you can also make rejuvenating and sanitary pruning. After the leaves fall, all dry, deformed, diseased and improperly growing shoots are removed.
Diseases and pests
Unfortunately, almonds are susceptible to some diseases. In order to know how to spray a tree against aphids or other parasites, you need to be able to identify the problem.
The culture most often suffers from:
- Cercospora. The foliage is initially covered with brown spots 2-4 mm in size, on which a gray coating is visible. Subsequently, the center of the leaves dries out and they fall off.
- Scabs. Fungal disease affects the shoots, flowers and foliage of the plant.
- Rust. Brown pads appear on top of foliage.
- Perforated spotting. The disease affects all parts of the plant. The disease is most easily detected on the foliage, as reddish spots with dark edges appear on it.
- Grey rot. On the shoots you can see a fluffy coating and brown spots.
At the first sign of disease, remove and burn all damaged leaves, buds and shoots. And then spray with fungicides. Mostdrugs are considered effective: "Topaz", "Horus", "Oxyhom", "Champion".
Pests such as aphids, seed-eaters, spider mites and leafworms often appear on almonds. At the first sign of their appearance, it is necessary to process the tree. How to spray almonds from aphids and other pests is up to you. Experienced gardeners recommend opting for proven preparations: Fufanon, Aktellik, Tagor. Well destroys the spider mite "Apollo", "Fitoverm" and "Agravertin". Antitlin and Boitlin preparations are indispensable in the fight against aphids.
Gardeners note that it is much easier to prevent the occurrence of ailments than to deal with them later. As a preventive measure, you should:
- Treat the soil near the plant in early spring with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid.
- After the leaves fall, repeat the procedure again.
- Observe the rules of agricultural technology: proper watering, weed removal and sanitary pruning.
Almond propagation
One of the most common questions asked by beginner gardeners is: "Can I grow almonds from seed?" Of course, it is possible, but it should be understood that in this case, the commercial and biological characteristics of the variety may be lost. To germinate the seed, it is soaked in a strengthening solution, and then planted in a pre-prepared soil. The soil must be dug up for the winter, then in the spring you can plant almond drupes to a depth of 10-15 cm.
Planting can be done in early spring. But first, the bones must be stratified insand for 1.5 months.
Gardeners recommend propagating almonds by shoots. With a strong pruning of a tree, growth will certainly begin to appear around it. In the second year, it can be separated with roots from the mother plant and transplanted.
It is no less effective to propagate the plant by layering. To do this, young shoots are tilted to the ground and sprinkled with soil. A year later, the plant can be transplanted. And during all this time it will need to be watered to get a good root system of its own.
Ornamental plant
Almond is an ornamental plant that landscape designers are willing to use in their work. Trees and shrubs look equally good in group and single plantings. 3-5 plants look very good against the background of coniferous plantings or on a lawn. Almonds look no less impressive on rocky hills. Often use plants on the trunk. Trees are good for making any compositions, they will decorate any site.
The crop's early flowering and amazing fragrance add to the charm of the plant. If earlier almonds could be found only in the south, then modern varieties make it possible to grow it in our area. With proper care, trees can withstand winter well.
