Growing almonds
Landing
plant almond tree can be done in two ways:
- Seeds.
- seedlings.
In the first case, you can plant in autumn or spring. However, many gardeners advise sowing seeds in the spring, as field and garden rodents can eat the seeds during the winter.
Many argue that planting almond seedlings is much easier than planting pits.
In this case, it is necessary to plant at least 2 seedlings, as almond trees are well pollinated. In addition, there should be bee hives around, since it is they who perform this important task.
Peculiarities
The almond tree is a very light-loving, heat-resistant plant. Thanks to its deep-seated roots, it can survive drought. Resistance to cold depends on the type and variety of the almond tree. This factor should be considered when choosing a variety for planting.
Some varieties can tolerate up to -30 degrees below zero. Almonds should be planted under the sun, in places protected from the wind. Flowering lasts about 2 weeks.
Landing
For planting, you need to dig a hole and plant a young tree, or lay a bone. Usually the bottom of the landing hole is half filled with sand or gravel, and the soil is mixed with lime.
Cultivation and care
The almond tree is an unpretentious plant, but sometimes it can be unpredictable. In some regions, almond cultivation must be accompanied by careful watering and fertilization. And in some regions, almonds can develop well and bear fruit without much care. Probably it all depends on the quality of the soil and the climate of a particular region.
The basic rules for caring for this tree are as follows:
- Almonds should be watered sparingly. Excessive watering damages the roots of the tree, and a lack of water will shorten the duration of flowering, and as a result, the volume of the crop.
- Fertilize in March with manure, and in September with superphosphate and potassium sulfide.
- Trim dried and dead branches regularly. Decorative pruning is allowed. This should be done after flowering, forming the desired crown shape.
reproduction
The species of this plant are propagated by seeds, varieties - by grafting, cuttings, shoots, layering.
For seed propagation, collect seeds in October and dry them. Until November, store them in a dry place. Then soak them for a few days, bury them in the ground. By the end of April, the first shoots will appear. Around August, when they get stronger, you can start budding.
Graft on a peach or almond, cover with foil. After a month, it can be removed. In early spring, cut off the rootstock above the eye that was grafted and cover the cut. In autumn, a seedling about 2 meters high with modest foliage will appear. And after one or two years, this seedling will bring the first nuts.
ornamental shrub
This variety of almond is a valuable plant for creating medium to high hedges in landscape design. It also looks great in a single seat. This is due to the beautiful leaves, dense spherical crown, and most importantly due to spring flowering. At this time of the year, almonds look especially beautiful.
All branches of almonds are covered with white-pink five-petal flowers. From a distance it seems that it is covered with snow.
The fruits of an ornamental shrub are either absent or not suitable for consumption with food, but how pleasing to the eye they are, and what a fragrance they spread throughout the garden!
This variety is propagated using:
- layering;
- roots;
- cuttings;
- budding.
You can learn more about decorative almonds from the following video.
Growing indoor almonds at home
It is quite possible to grow an almond tree at home, in a living room in a pot. For this purpose, you need to purchase large and medium pots made of ceramics, since only ceramics pass air and moisture well and do not allow water stagnation to form.
To grow indoor almonds, you need to purchase almond tree seeds. Put in water and keep in it for 2 days. Prepare potting soil half leafy soil and half compost. When the seeds swell, plant them in moist soil and cover the pot with plastic wrap to create a "greenhouse" environment.
Put the pot in a warm place. Air the pot daily, to do this, remove the film for half an hour or an hour. As the soil in the pot dries out, water it. In about a month, sprouts will appear. After they grow a little, you need to transplant them into separate pots.
Indoor almonds are demanding to care for.
The optimum temperature for its development is between 18-25 degrees. Prefers sunny places, moderately humid air in the room and slightly moist drained soil.
Transfer
Transplantation is done annually until the age of three in March or after it has faded. At this time, add fertilizing with phosphorus to the ground. Mineral and organic fertilizers should be introduced in spring and autumn. Do not fertilize during flowering. Pruning is carried out regularly, removing dried and interfering branches.
How beautiful the almond blossoms are!