Steppe almonds: description, features of planting and care

Every gardener tries to decorate their summer cottage with both useful and aesthetically attractive plants. These include steppe almonds, also called "mini sakura". A similar analogy can be seen during the flowering of the shrub, when the almonds are completely covered with delicate pink flowers. However, before planting a plant, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the conditions for planting and care.

Description and characteristics of steppe almonds

Steppe almond is a sprawling one and a half meter shrub with dark green oblong leaves. The plant is thermophilic, and in a warm climate it blooms quite early (end of January), in moderate temperatures, flowers appear later (end of April).

Flowers have a rich pink color and a delicate aroma. The fruits of the steppe almond bean ripen in September, and look like a shaggy base with an edible bone inside.

Planting a plant

Important! The shrub will not survive without sunlight, so it is imperative to plant the plant in open ground, away from the shade.

It is also required to take into account that the branches of the shrub grow mainly sideways, so it is recommended to calculate the planting pattern in advance if several steppe almond plants are planned in one area. On average, there should be at least 4 meters between each bush.

What time to plant

The optimal time for planting steppe almonds will be late autumn (but before the onset of cold weather) or mid-spring, when the temperature regime is fully established, and the degrees in the soil are stable at around 12-15. Such a plant will begin to bear fruit by autumn.

Soil for planting

In order for the shrub to stand out with brighter flowering and increase the yield, it is required to fertilize the soil before planting and then once a year. To do this, use:

• humus;
• animal manure;
• vegetable compost.

It is recommended to take care of creating good drainage in advance, the plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture. It is also required to disinfect the soil with ordinary lime. One shrub will require up to 300 grams.

Preparation of seedlings

When planting in the autumn, seedlings do not require special preparation, except for the disinfection of the roots. To do this, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. However, if the plant is planted in the spring, the root system of the seedling needs to be treated with a clay mash. The procedure will retain moisture and prevent the almonds from drying out at first.

Boarding process

Steppe almonds require the creation of special landing conditions, or rather pits:

• the hole is dug in a square, a little over half a meter;
• drainage of crushed stone and sand is laid out at the bottom;
• form a hillock with fertilized soil and drive a stake into it;
• the roots are placed around the hill, without bending the branches;
• everyone is digging in fertilized soil.

How to properly care for the bean tree

Caring for low almonds is not difficult, but requires a certain regimen. It is recommended to focus on soil fertilization and timely watering.

Water and fertilize

Irrigation of steppe almonds is required steadily, focusing on the condition of the soil. A slight drying of the top layer serves as a signal for the next watering. However, it is not recommended to pour more than 10 liters of water at a time. And you need to fertilize twice a year:

• spring - nitrogen-based preparations;
• in the autumn period - substances containing phosphorus and potassium.

Almond trimming

Sanitary cleaning of steppe almonds is carried out after the snow melts. Purpose of this pruning:

• get rid of dry, broken and diseased branches;
• create a place for the growth of new young shoots.

After shedding flowers, it is also recommended to cut off excess branches, getting rid of crooked and cross-growing branches. The procedure allows you to thin out the bush a little and achieve a neat shape.

Preparing for winter

Preparation for wintering begins in August. It is required to pinch the ends of the young shoots. This allows the bush to grow more protective wood, which will help it survive even a harsh winter. Often the plant is covered from above and the roots are wrapped with a non-woven material, like Grintex.

Diseases and pests of steppe almonds

The main pests that attack steppe almonds are:

• leaflet, Iskra-M helps to get rid of it;
• plum codling moth, which is also removed by spraying Iskra-M;
• aphids - very dangerous because they are not easy to detect; Iskra-Bio serves as a means against invasion;
• plum beetle.

There are three main diseases: rust, monilial burn, gray rot. Diseases are eliminated by cutting branches, Bordeaux liquid or colloidal sulfur.

Reproduction

Steppe almond is considered a universal plant in terms of reproduction. It is customary to distinguish five popular methods to increase the amount of culture:

• using seeds;
• by grafting a plant;
• cutting;
• breeding by shoots;
• and layering.

Important! It is required to prepare the territory of the garden in advance and get rid of rodents. Otherwise, there is a risk of complete extermination of shrubs or seeds.

Growing from seed

Often, gardeners grow a plant from the seed. It is recommended to lay the seeds in the soil in the spring, when the temperature regime is fully settled. And when the process reaches 30 centimeters in height, it is required to transplant it into a specially prepared hole with drainage. Gardeners advise putting 3 seeds in one hole, so the likelihood of germination increases, and the excess can always be removed during transplantation.

Almond grafting

You can graft a plant to cherry plum, plum and bird cherry. The procedure is carried out in the spring, when the trees are maximally saturated with juice.

Important! When attaching a twig to a tree, you should not hide the kidney in the cut of the tree.

Cutting

Steppe almond cuttings are required to be prepared in early July, cutting off the tops of the cuttings with a couple of knots that are covered with wood. The procedure then looks like this:

• the cutting is placed in the growth stimulator for 15-20 hours;
• rooted in a cold greenhouse;
• landing is done in peat mixed with sand (1:2);
• landing in the garden for ripening.

How to propagate shoots

With regular pruning of steppe almond bushes, shoots are abundantly formed, which is also used for reproduction. It is preferable to dig it out in the second year, after the formation of the root system. Follow-up care is identical to that of a one year old seedling.

Propagation by layering

Wild almonds are stunted, so layering is easy. It is enough to fix the twig to the ground with a metal bracket. It is also watered, fertilized, loosened and weeds are removed. The next year, when the roots appear, the plant can be transplanted.

Decorative qualities

Steppe almonds are often used as a decorative addition to landscape design. But it is not recommended to plant it with taller plants. However, the “little sakura” will beautifully complement the overall picture of flower beds or shrub decorations. Thanks to early flowering, almonds have time to appear in full force and allow other plants to show themselves.

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