When, in what quantity and how to water apple trees in summer
In order to consistently obtain a high-quality harvest of aromatic apples, it is necessary to follow some agrotechnical rules, and proper watering is not the least of them. In addition to the general rules, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the variety and climatic conditions. Otherwise, you can lose the harvest almost completely. You will learn how to properly water apple trees in the summer from this article.
Is it necessary to water an apple tree in summer?
Apple trees, like other plants, cannot live without moisture. When planting, take into account the depth of groundwater. When they are high, the soil is oversaturated with mineral salts, and the tree often gets sick, and in some cases even dies.
All varieties of apple trees need regular moisture, especially young trees. In summer, this is especially important in the first half of the season, after the ovary falls (in mid-June). The second watering is carried out 15-20 days after the first.
If the weather is hot, the frequency of moisturizing is increased, but the volume is left the same.
How often to water
The volume largely depends on the age of the plants, but there are other factors that influence this indicator. Trees planted in clay soil require the most water.
The seedling is watered with 3 buckets. Apple tree under 5 years of age – 6-8. With proper care, the tree actively develops and grows. An adult fruit-bearing apple tree requires at least 12 buckets of water. In the tree trunk circle, the soil should be saturated to 70-80 cm.
For a tree older than 10 years, you need to dig a groove under the crown and pour 3-4 buckets of water into each quarter. Then the tree will delight the owner with a harvest for up to 35 years and even more.
Water requirements for irrigation
To water apple trees, use water from an artesian well, well, or other natural sources (rivers, lakes, ponds). When watering with cold water, it is important to check that it is not close to freezing point. Otherwise, the roots will be damaged and the tree's growth will slow down.
The liquid must not contain toxic impurities or chemicals. The best water for irrigation is melt water. In composition it should be soft and neutral.
What can I add?
For fertilizer To combat diseases, the apple tree is watered with various preparations, following strict rules.
Chicken droppings
Add to water with caution so as not to burn the trees.
1 bucket of litter is diluted in a barrel with 10-15 buckets of water, stirred and the composition is infused for 2 days. They bring it into the tree-trunk circle under each fruit-bearing apple tree, a bucket per tree.
Soap solution
Use only a pure solution of fatty soap. Watering with other detergents is dangerous because it can lead to the death of beneficial fungi, bacteria, and insects.
Using laundry soap helps get rid of aphids. To do this, rub 300 g of soap and dilute it in 2 liters of water. Then the resulting mixture is dissolved in a bucket of water and sprayed on the apple tree.
Potassium permangantsovka
Used to disinfect soil. A weak solution is required. At a strong concentration, such an oxidizer can destroy a lot of useful things in the soil.
It is necessary to dissolve 3 g of potassium permanganate in 10 liters of water, use this amount for 3-4 square meters. m area.
Read also:
A step-by-step guide for beginner gardeners: how to plant an apple tree in spring
How, when and with what to spray apple trees in the spring against pests and diseases
How to properly water an apple tree in summer
It’s easy to check the need for watering: if a lump of earth, taken along the perimeter of the bark at a depth of 20 cm, crumbles in your hands, then it’s time to carry out the procedure. Seedlings are watered 2-4 times per season with a consumption of 20-30 liters of water.
If the apple tree lacks moisture during the flowering period, it will shed most of its ovaries. Therefore, in July, the tree is actively watered, spending up to 8 buckets of water per tree.
It is not possible to water a tree with a watering can due to the large volume of water required. It is better to use hoses, pumping water from a source using a submersible pump or from an artesian well.
Watering methods
With the surface method of watering, it is necessary to dig furrows or holes around the perimeter of the crown. The depth and width of the furrows is 25-30 cm. They dig them around the crown, not the trunk. To do this, draw an imaginary line from the longest side branches to the ground. This is where the small suction roots are located.
With this type of watering from a hose, fill the groove gradually until complete absorption stops.
Drip
With this option, water is gradually delivered to the roots. Drip irrigation is considered the optimal method. A constant soil moisture level of 75-85% is achieved.
Sprinkling
Any type of sprinkler is suitable for this method. Optimal sprinkling is shallow, uniform, and scattered. As a result, the soil should get wet by 60-80 cm.
Surface watering, which moistens the soil only 15 cm, will aggravate the situation in hot weather.
Liquid fertilizer
Watering is often combined with liquid fertilizing. It is important to observe the amount of fertilizer, since the diet must be balanced.To prevent the preparations from being washed away by water, dig 0.3 m holes in the amount of 10-15 pieces. Fertilizers are added there, which will dissolve during watering and be absorbed into the soil.
Specific dosages are indicated on the packaging.
What mistakes to avoid
There are several common mistakes that most gardeners make:
- Incorrect mulching. Too much mulch creates an obstacle to the flow of liquid into the soil.
- Untimely watering. To know exactly when it is best to water your apple tree, you need to monitor the condition of the soil.
- It is important to choose the right watering time. The optimal time is early morning or evening, 2-3 hours before sunset.
Watering trees at other times is possible only in cloudy weather.
Watering apple trees when planting
All stages of growth, flowering and fruiting have their own nuances of watering. Right after landings seedlings moisten the soil. In the absence of rain, seedlings are watered every 3-4 days.
During flowering
If there is frequent rain, you should not water the apple tree during flowering, otherwise the root system will begin to rot.
Insufficient water will cause the ovary to fall off, as the flowers will not have enough moisture.
During fruiting
During the period of fruit ripening, add 6-10 buckets of water, depending on the age of the tree.
This ensures the juiciness of the apples, sweet taste and large size. Sour, small fruits are a sign of lack of watering.
Rules for watering seedlings
The age of the trees affects the amount of moisture needed. The very first watering is done at the time of planting.
If the soil is wet, apply no more than 7 liters of water under the seedling. In the first summer, watering is carried out another 3-5 times.
Trees from year
For a tree aged 1-2 years, 3 buckets of water per watering is enough.
Tree from 2 to 5 years
Such apple trees require 6-8 buckets of water. If there is heat and drought, the volume is increased.
Apple tree from 5 to 15 years
Such trees are already much more demanding of water. A fruiting apple tree in maturity requires at least 12 buckets at a time.
Old trees
After 15 years, the need for moisture does not decrease. For one watering, the tree requires 30-40 liters for each quarter of the trench. There are about 16 buckets in total.
Advice from experienced gardeners
There are several nuances that must be taken into account:
- It is not recommended to carry out the procedure immediately after rain, since water stagnates, creating a favorable environment for pests;
- the hose should be located at a distance of at least 1.5 m from the trunk; watering near a tree is very harmful;
- It is better to use settled, warm water.
Conclusion
Proper watering of apple trees will provide the gardener with a tasty harvest of large apples even in dry summers, but in any case, moderation should be observed.
Adult apple trees are watered 2-3 times per season, 8-10 buckets each, depending on the age of the tree. Before the procedure, it is recommended to check the soil for moisture.