Hazel in Siberia: planting and care, features of growing hazelnuts

Hazel or hazel is not the most common type of horticultural crop, although hazelnuts are unpretentious and take root in the plots. The bush withstands record low temperatures, so hazel is also grown in northern regions, such as Siberia, and planting and caring for the plant does not require much effort. If you follow simple rules and stop any deviation in time, the plant will delight the gardener with a good harvest.

Features of growing hazel in Siberia

Many gardeners in the northern region are wondering how to grow hazelnuts in Siberia, getting not the most comforting answer.The fact is that although hazel is frost-resistant and can withstand up to -50 ° C, the catkins of the plant are not so resistant to cold. However, it is still possible to grow hazel in places where there is a lot of snow in winter, and fences or buildings protect from winds.

As for varieties of hazelnuts, do not choose Common Hazel. It is better to give preference to Manchurian, Diversified, Alida, Lentina or Biysk varieties, which were bred specifically for the Siberian region, taking into account climatic features.

How to plant correctly

In order for the hazel to take root and bear fruit, it is necessary to observe the conditions when planting a seedling.

When to plant?

Hazel should be planted in autumn - early October. Important! There must be at least 20 days before the onset of frost, otherwise the plant will not take root.

Selecting and preparing a site

Hazel is very unpretentious to the soil, but swampy or sandy areas are detrimental. Therefore, before planting, you should make sure that in spring the melted snow does not flood the hazel. In addition, the absence of groundwater near the soil surface is important. Preference should be given to humus-rich, humus-rich, loose soils.

For normal growth and fruiting, hazel requires a sunny side, protected from cold winds, so the best choice would be the western or southwestern part of the site, preferably enclosed by a wall. If this is not possible, hedges will become wind protection. They should be planted no closer than 5 meters from the nut.

Preparation of the site depends on the number of seedlings to be planted. When planting several plants, it is recommended to deeply dig the entire area. Fertilize planting pits with humus and mineral collections (50 grams of potassium s alt and 200 grams of superphosphate).

Boarding process

Before planting, seedlings should be cut to 20-25 centimeters, and the roots should be dipped in a mixture of clay and manure. Then start the process:

• the hazel is lowered into the pit, deepening the level of the root collar by 2-3 centimeters;
• carefully spread the roots over the ground, covering with loose earth and compacting;
• make an edge around the seedling and pour plenty of water (20-25 liters);
• after moisture has been absorbed, the soil should be mulched with sawdust, foliage or peat.

When planting several seedlings, one should not forget about the distance, because the hazel is planted for many years:

• rows - 5-6 meters;
• 4-6 meters between plants.

Nuances of plant care in Siberia

As already mentioned, growing hazel in Siberia is different from the methods for warmer regions, so it is important to provide timely care to the plant.

How to water

Regular watering is necessary for hazel, because without sufficient liquid, the quality and quantity of fruits will deteriorate. The plant is watered 1-2 times a month, depending on the weather:

• after flowering;
• in May;
• in June;
• in July;
• after the leaves fall.

If the summer is dry, the frequency of watering should be increased, and if it is rainy, no watering is required. An adult plant needs 50-70 liters of liquid at a time. Water must be poured in parts, until completely absorbed, otherwise the hazel will be flooded.

Don't forget about humidity. If there are no rain plants on the site, the hazel should be sprayed with water once a week, in the afternoon or on cloudy weather.

Fertilizer

Each season the plant needs special nourishment:

• in autumn - potassium s alt (20-30 grams), superphosphate (50 grams) and manure (3-4 kilograms);
• in the spring - 150-150 grams of nitroammophoska, during the swelling of the kidneys - 20-30 grams of urea or ammonium nitrate;
• in June - nitrogen fertilizing.

Important! If the soil contains black soil and is rich in minerals, nitrogen should not be added, as this will harm the crop. If the soil is poor, fertilizing with slurry is necessary.

If fertilizers were added to the pit when planting, then start feeding after 3 years.

How to care during flowering

The hazel begins to bloom in April, when the temperature becomes 12 °C. At this time, hazel catkins bloom, increasing by 30 millimeters per day.Growth becomes more active in dry air. When the length of the earrings reaches 10 centimeters, their density will decrease, and pollen will begin to scatter within 4-12 days. Pollen from male flowers falls on female ones, and from different trees, so you should plant at least 3 plants.

The moment of flowering is the best time for pruning. It is thanks to pruning that pollen spreads faster and, in addition to natural pollination, artificial pollination occurs, which increases the yield.

Wintering

Adult hazel over 3 years old can endure winter without shelter, but young plants should be prepared for the cold:

• cover with lutrasil or spanbond;
• bend branches to the ground, covered with snow and spruce branches, protecting from wind and freezing.

Reproduction

Halnut is propagated using:

• tap:

horizontal branches - in late autumn, under low-growing one-year-old branches, make grooves where to lay the branches and fix. Remove the top remaining above the soil. Do not cover the branches with earth;

arc bends - in the spring, lay the branches in an arc. Cut the bark in contact with the soil and fix it in the hole. Cover with earth. Leave the top tied to the support;

• dividing bush:

get a bush from the ground and divide it so that each has roots of 15-20 centimeters. Sprinkle slices with charcoal and plant each bush in a prepared hole;

• offspring:

appear after 1-2 years, from the buds of the root system. Grow out of the ground at a distance from the "parent". Separate with an axe. 2-3 offspring are placed in the pit.

Cutting

The first pruning should be carried out a week after planting, shortening the plant to 0.3 meters. In summer, young shoots cannot be removed, and in spring all weak and diseased shoots must be cut off, leaving the 10 strongest and strongest ones.

Important! Shoots should grow in different directions from each other.

In the fourth year of life, hazel, having entered the fruiting phase, needs regular renewal of shoots, since only one-year-old branches produce fruits. Sanitary pruning of old, diseased or damaged shoots is carried out in the fall, thinning - in the spring.

Diseases and plant pests

The main diseases of hazel are fungal diseases, from the harm of which not only the crop will be reduced, but the plant may also die:

• powdery mildew;
• rust;
• white rot.

As for pests, hazel can be damaged:

• aphid;
• nut weevil;
• bud mite;
• leaf beetle;
• barbel.

For any change in the appearance of the plant, urgent treatment must be started before the disease has killed the nut or spread to other horticultural crops.

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