Content
Apricot is a fruit crop that requires compliance with agrotechnical rules. This tree grows well in the central regions of Russia, takes root well and bears fruit in the Urals. However, in order to get a really high-quality and large harvest, you need to know how to water an apricot. Lack of moisture will lead to wilting of the foliage and the death of the plant. Excess water can cause root rot. All this leads not only to death, but also to the crushing of fruits and dwarfism of the tree.
Do I need to water the apricot tree
The need and amount of watering the apricot depends on many factors:
- plant age;
- season;
- weather and climatic conditions of the region.
The plant has a tap rhizome. Its formation begins already in the first years of life, and by the second they can go to a depth of 2 meters. Therefore, the apricot can be called drought tolerant.
On the other hand, the culture has a delicate root collar. In no case should it be waterlogged, as there is a huge risk of death due to poor air circulation.
Hence the conclusion - it is necessary to water the apricot when it blooms, after transplantation, in spring and summer, but in compliance with certain rules.
Sprinkling is the best way to water during the heat
When to water an apricot in spring
When waking up from winter, it is imperative to irrigate. In arid regions, this is done before and during flowering. However, one must pay attention to the climate of the region. If in the area where the apricot is grown in spring, it rains frequently, and it comes late, then, most likely, the plant has enough moisture.
In most regions, flowering occurs in April. And even earlier in the southern part of the country. These factors must be taken into account and based on them when determining the need for irrigation. If spring came early, and in winter there was practically no snow, then the plant needs watering.
The second watering of the flowering apricot takes about 2 weeks after the beginning of the appearance of the buds. If the weather is warm and sunny, then it is imperative to water the tree. You can determine the need for soil moisture.
Is it possible to water the apricot during flowering
During flowering, it must be watered, before which it is recommended to loosen and remove all weeds. After that, mulching must be carried out. It can be sawdust or peat, humus. The main thing is not to put the mulch very close to the trunk, as this can cause rotting of the roots.
During flowering, the apricot is subject to mandatory watering.
How often to water the apricot
The culture tolerates high temperatures well, but on condition that the soil is still moistened. This is especially true for young plants and apricot seedlings. The older it gets, the less it has requirements for the frequency of irrigation.
How often should the apricot be watered after planting
Immediately after planting the seedling, it must be watered abundantly, even if it was raining the day before. This will not only moisten the soil, but also compact it.
At this stage, it is best to irrigate through the holes, in batches. In this case, it is imperative to add the second portion of water only after the first has been absorbed.Spraying is recommended around the crop to prevent soil erosion.
How to water an apricot
There are 4 main methods of watering an apricot:
- through holes and furrows;
- drip irrigation;
- sprinkling.
Watering around the stem with a hose is not suitable, as there is a chance to flood the root collar.
It is very simple to calculate the amount of liquid for an adult plant - 10 liters of water are required for each year of life.
It is best to irrigate the apricot through the holes, around the crown
How to water an apricot during flowering
It will be better to water apricot trees correctly in spring through holes and grooves. The grooves are made in a ring around the crown. They should be 2 times smaller than its diameter.
The calculation of the amount of water is made depending on the age, for example, 1 bucket is enough for a one-year-old plant, two for a 2-year-old, and so on. Do not forget about the weather, if not very warm, then less water is needed.
Watering the apricot after flowering
The last seasonal irrigation is usually carried out in October, it is also called water charging. It is required in order to prepare the plant for wintering and give it a rest after dropping foliage and fruiting.
Watering can be carried out using drip irrigation or through holes. For 1 sq. m. of the near-trunk area requires 5 buckets of water. If it is still warm, and even hot outside, then the amount of water will have to be increased, up to 300 liters per one adult apricot.
After placing the seedling in the ground, it must be irrigated abundantly
Watering in summer
Undoubtedly, the spring watering of the apricot is very important, but the tree needs watering in the summer too. It falls on a period when the ripening of fruits will soon begin. Depending on the climatic conditions, we are talking about mid-June - early July.
If a lot of fruits are set, then more water will be needed. Sprinkler irrigation is recommended in hot weather. Using a watering can with a spray, moisten the area under the crown. The ideal time to water is morning or evening, and best on a cloudy day.
After the end of fruiting and harvesting, trees are watered only in the south of the country, and then only if there is a severe drought.
After watering, it is recommended to mulch the soil around the crop.
Conclusion
It is necessary to water the apricot rarely, but carefully, observing a few simple rules. The main thing is to always remember that ordinary irrigation with a hose will not work for this plant, since the risk of decay of the root collar is greatly increased. After watering, it is recommended to mulch the root zone so that the moisture does not evaporate so quickly. It is always necessary to take into account the climatic features of the region where the culture grows. To determine the need for watering, you need to dig a hole between the rows of trees up to 40 cm deep. Stir the soil inside and take a small amount of earth, squeeze in the palm of your hand. Moisture-saturated soil will not fall apart and will hold together in a dense lump.
Proper care and watering of apricots is a guarantee of a large harvest.
