Walnut in Siberia: cultivation and care, preparation of the tree for winter, harvesting

The intensive work of breeders to develop zoned frost-resistant varieties of various trees and shrubs contributes to the mass distribution of previously exotic plants around the globe. So the heat-loving walnut has reached Siberia: its planting and cultivation in these regions is already often perceived as the norm. However, pioneer growers have a long way to go before their first harvests.

Can a walnut be grown in Siberia?

The main danger preventing the cultivation of walnuts in cold regions is severe frosts.As a result of long-term exposure to negative temperatures, the above-ground elements of the plant freeze, the growing season is disrupted, and the ripening of the crop is delayed. For successful cultivation and fruit production in such conditions, zoned varieties with a short ripening period are chosen.

Suitable varieties

Breeders are working hard every day to develop winter-hardy varieties of various crops for distribution and successful cultivation in any climatic zone. They did not ignore the walnut. Among all the varietal diversity today, if desired, you can find early ripening options with good tolerance to low temperatures and a short growing season. The following winter-hardy varieties enjoy particular success in Siberia:

• Kachinsky;
• Sturdy
• Ideal.

They endure low temperatures down to -30 °C and manage to set fruit. However, due to late frosts, which cause irreparable damage to undersized skeletal branches and nascent flower buds, the fruits do not always have the opportunity to ripen.

Siberians have to make a lot of efforts to protect trees from late frosts during flowering.

How to grow crops

Growing he althy walnuts and getting high yields every year is rather problematic in the harsh climatic conditions of Siberia. However, careful attention to the tree from the first days after planting and throughout its life will protect it from freezing, achieve the formation and maturation of the crop.

Where to plant a walnut on the plot

Walnut is planted on the south side of the site.For him, choose a clearing well-lit by the sun, reliably protected from through winds. A dense wall or fence on the north side will become a reliable protection for the growing seedling from freezing and drying out of the bark by strong winds. However, you should not plant this mighty tree close to capital buildings. A powerful growing root goes deep into the ground and is able to destroy the building.

A walnut planted in a darkened area or in a lowland is doomed to death. It does not tolerate marshy and clay soil. The rest of the plant is unpretentious. Feels good on soils with any composition and acidity. Grows well and bears fruit on hills or slopes.

Preparation of planting material

One of the most common options for growing walnuts on your own plot is to plant them from seeds. Seeds produce strong trees that are resistant to adverse growing conditions and guarantee possible fruiting.

For planting, choose freshly ripened seeds with a whole shell, without visible damage and mold. Do not use purchased nuts, as their freshness and germination are questionable.

It is desirable to plant seeds in the fall. The likelihood of germination in this case is much higher than when planting seeds in the spring. Having received the necessary hardening in natural winter conditions, as a result, adapted strong plants grow. Unviable shoots are immediately weeded out.

Seeds are best planted immediately in a permanent place. This will avoid the transplanting process and contribute to the formation of a stronger and more stable root system.

Scheme and planting process

Walnut has a spreading crown and requires a lot of free space. This must be taken into account when placing a tree on the site. Recommended landing pattern is 6 x 6 meters.

Walnut is unpretentious to the soil, so the preliminary application of humus and ash to the ground will be enough. The seed placement depth is usually three times its size. Seeds are placed in prepared grooves on edge, sprinkled with earth and carefully shed.

The main danger in Siberia for fresh seedlings are birds. A thick mesh or covering material well fixed on the surface will help protect seedlings from the invasion of birds.

The walnut is self-fertile. However, experienced gardeners practice planting two seedlings at the same time and note an interesting fact: if the trees grow in pairs, the yield of each of them is much higher than the yield of similar separately growing varieties.

Further nut care

Siberia is not ideal for growing walnuts. It will take a lot of effort before a he althy tree grows and the first crop ripens.

Water and fertilize

In the first few years, the young walnut is not fertilized. This is especially true of nitrogen fertilizers, which stimulate accelerated cell division and rapid growth of the seedling. Rapid growth weakens the young tree, and in severe weather conditions it is likely to die. Natural growth under stable conditions without stimulants is slow. However, the result is a strong, weather-resistant tree.

An adult tree is fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in autumn to stimulate fruiting.

Walnut needs moisture. A young tree requires periodic abundant watering during dry periods. An old tree with overgrown roots is already on its own and can get the necessary amount of moisture from the soil. It is watered much less often. After dropping foliage, an adult tree is fed and thoroughly saturated with moisture before wintering.

Cutting and shaping

In the harsh conditions of Siberia, strong tree pruning is not practiced. In the spring, frozen and damaged shoots are removed. The cut point is carefully treated with garden pitch.

Formation of a creeping crown will help prevent branches from freezing and make it easier to warm the tree in winter.

Whitewash

When the air temperature drops to 3-4 C ° in autumn, they start whitewashing adult fruit trees. Whitewashing helps protect the tree from pests that seek shelter during this period for wintering. In addition, as a result of thaws and subsequent temperature drops, icing of the crust and its cracking occur. Whitewashing will prevent ice formation and protect the bark from damage.

They do not like whitewashed trunks and small animals common in the expanses of Siberia. In the spring, at an air temperature of 2-3 ° C, the whitewash is renewed. Young trees usually do not whiten.

Preparing for winter

Walnut requires careful preparation for wintering. It consists of several stages:

1. In a dry autumn with little rainfall after the leaves fall, the tree is carefully shed with a large volume of water, saturating the root system with moisture before wintering.
2. The trunk circle is mulched with a thick layer of straw, sawdust, dry leaves. Mulch helps retain moisture and heat, protects the roots from freezing.
3. Some varieties of walnuts take root well in Siberia and give powerful shoots. However, the unprotected above-ground part freezes in some severe winters. The young tree has a very flexible stem. To prevent freezing, in autumn the tree is bent to the ground and carefully covered with dry grass, hay or covering material. In this form, the plant stands until spring. It is reliably protected from frost and thaw.
4. It is unrealistic to completely cover a tall tree from frost. It is covered with snow at least until the beginning of the skeletal branches.

The above measures will protect the walnut from severe frosts, preserve the integrity and he alth of the tree, the level of its fruiting.

Diseases and pests of the tree

Carrying out preventive measures will help prevent the development of diseases, grow a he althy tree and harvest an undamaged crop.

Protect the walnut from powdery mildew by spraying Bordeaux liquid in early spring and autumn. The solution is prepared in accordance with the consumption rates indicated on the package. Spraying is carried out in the evening after sunset.

Spraying the tree with insecticides will help to prevent barbel, weevil and other pests from appearing on leaves and fruits, and to keep yields at a high level.

Collection and storage of nuts

Determining the readiness of a nut for eating is very simple. Green pericarp began to crack - so it's time to harvest. After harvesting, the crop is placed in a cool place for a period of one week. Here the pericarp darkens and softens. These nuts are much easier to peel. After removing the shell, the fruits are carefully dried in the sun or in another warm place.

For storage, the nuts are placed in a dry place with an air temperature not higher than 10 °C. In this form, they can be stored for many years.

The harsh climate is not suitable for growing heat-loving walnuts. It can be difficult for enthusiasts to find a short and early variety suitable for given conditions. Walnut requires close attention and work throughout life. Despite all these obstacles, this majestic tree is increasingly appearing and bearing fruit in the garden plots of Siberia.

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