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For the cherry harvest to be plentiful in summer, the tree needs enough nutrients. We show what you have to consider when fertilizing cherry trees.

Only a well cared for cherry tree will produce many blossoms and fruits

There is nothing more beautiful than a cherry tree (Prunus) covered in red fruits all over. But in order for it to get that far in the first place, the cherry has to do a lot. Because both for its growth and for the development of the fruit, the fruit tree must absorb sufficient nutrients from the soil. The sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and the sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) therefore thrive best on nutrient-rich, permeable soil. In the long term, however, the natural nutrient reserves at the location are in most cases not sufficient to ensure permanently high yields and the best fruit quality. In this article, we will therefore tell you how you can optimally support your cherry tree in its development with needs-based fertilization.

Depending on the stage of development, your cherry tree makes different demands on its nutrient supply. We will explain to you when and with what you can best fertilize your cherry tree.

The right time to fertilize the cherry tree

So that your cherry tree can grow well, you should ensure optimal starting conditions right from the start. A well-drained, nutrient-rich soil is ideal for cherry trees. When planting in autumn (October/November), it is therefore best to pour a good layer of fresh potting soil into the hole and mix it well with a layer of compost. Over the winter, the organic material has time to decompose. In this way, the little tree already has enough nutrients available in early spring for new growth.

When planting the cherry tree, some compost can be worked into the soil

After planting, you should supply your cherry tree with sufficient nutrients by means of an annual fertilizer application in spring (March/April). For this purpose, it is best to use a fertilizer with organic long-term effects in organic quality, such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer. This is particularly gentle on the plants and animals in the garden and takes care of yoursCherry tree optimal with all important nutrients. In fruit trees, fertilizers are usually applied to the tree disc - this is what the circular area around the trunk is called - because this is where the roots of the cherry tree are located, through which the tree is supplied with nutrients. Alternatively, you can also fertilize the cherry tree with a portion of compost.

Smaller fruit trees with a weak root system can be fertilized again in June to promote the development of flower buds. After a last compost application in autumn, it is advisable to cover the tree pit with a layer of mulch made of leaves. To do this, simply sweep the fallen leaves towards the trunk. This protects the soil from drying out and provides the cherry tree with additional nutrients.

A layer of mulch not only serves as fertilizer, but also protects the cherry tree from drying out

Fertilize the cherry tree in the pot

If you don't have your own garden, you can also put a small cherry tree on the balcony or terrace. Pillar cherries are trained in their growth form through targeted pruning in such a way that they can also cope with little space. Many varieties are therefore also well suited to being kept in tubs. In the pot, however, the cherry tree only has a limited amount of space and nutrients available, which is why you should fertilize it regularly and also water it. Due to the increased risk of frost, you should only fertilize cherry trees in pots after they have sprouted, but no later than August, so that the new shoots can still mature before frost. We can also recommend our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer with organic long-term effect for fertilizing in pots.

When is the cherry tree fertilized?

  • Incorporate fresh soil and compost when planting
  • Basic fertilization in spring (March/April) with organic long-term fertilizer
  • Second fertilization to promote flower bud formation (beginning of June)
  • Last application of compost in autumn and mulch layer of leaves
  • Ensure sufficient fertilization in pot culture

The optimal fertilizer for the cherry tree

Various fertilizers are available to supply your cherry tree with nutrients. In addition to natural fertilizers from your own garden, there is also a selection of fertilizers from specialist shops. Below we present the arguments for and against the individual fertilization methods.

Fertilize cherry trees primarily organically: instructions on how to proceed

You can use tire compost and rotted manure (e.g. horse manure) as a wonderful fertilizer foruse your fruit tree. It is best to spread the compost on the tree pit in autumn and work it lightly into the soil. In this way it is easily decomposed over the winter and the nutrients are available to the tree for early sprouting in the spring.

If you don't have any natural fertilizer available, an organic fertilizer with a long-term effect such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer is an optimal choice. It is best to sprinkle the fertilizer granules on the tree disc in the size of the crown or pierce holes about 30 to 50 centimeters deep in the lawn every 40 centimeters in the crown area in order to introduce the organic fertilizer there. If the tree disc is covered with grass, you can also dissolve the fertilizer granules in water and then water the cherry tree with it.

Organic fertilizers in granular form can be easily applied to the tree disc

Both from a sustainable and scientific point of view, there are many advantages to using long-acting organic fertilizers.

What are the advantages of an organic long-term fertilizer?

  • There is hardly any danger of over-fertilization, because the nutrients are released "dosed" through the slow decomposition by microorganisms
  • Organic materials promote active, he althy soil life
  • Particularly gentle on plants, humans and animals by not using chemicals

Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer is mainly made from organic, vegetable residues from the food, feed and semi-luxury food industry. The high proportion of potassium and phosphorus not only benefits tomatoes, but also has a positive effect on the flowering and fruiting of your cherry tree. Sufficient nitrogen also promotes growth and leaf formation. After application, microorganisms in the soil break down the fertilizer into its components and gradually release the nutrients to the cherry tree. To ensure that you provide your cherry tree with the right amount of nutrients, we have prepared precise fertilizer instructions for you below.

Organic Long-Term Fertilization: Instructions & Dosage Amounts for Cherry Trees

  1. Before planting: Work 30 - 60 g per tree (2 to 5 heaped tablespoons) of our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer into the top soil layers
  2. Water the freshly planted cherry tree well so that the granulate can loosen
  3. Every spring (March/April), depending on the size of the tree, about 50 - 150 g per tree (4 to 12 heaped tablespoons) in the area of theFertilize tree disc
  4. A second fertilization in June provides optimal support for your cherry tree
Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer is particularly gentle on the plants and animals in the garden

Fertilize cherry tree with minerals

In addition to organic fertilizers, a variety of mineral fertilizers are also available from specialist retailers. The nutrients contained in blue grain, liquid fertilizers & Co. are in pure form and can thus be directly absorbed by the plant from the soil solution. Due to the easy solubility of the nutrients, however, there is also an increased risk of over-fertilization. If used improperly, the high s alt concentrations can damage the sensitive roots. In addition, artificial fertilizers can be more easily washed out into deeper layers of soil and lead to contamination of the groundwater there. In contrast to mineral fertilizers, primarily organic fertilizers are much gentler on the environment and, if used correctly (see instructions above), support the development of your cherry tree more sustainably.

Fertilize cherry trees with home remedies

For additional fertilization and to strengthen the body's defences, you can water your cherry tree every two to three weeks during the vegetation period with plant manure you have prepared yourself. Nettle manure, for example, contains plenty of nitrogen, potassium and trace elements that are essential for cherry trees. To make a plant manure, first chop up the leaves of the desired plant, place them in a bucket and fill it up with rainwater. Daily stirring accelerates the fermentation process and after two to three weeks the homemade plant fertilizer is ready. However, before you water your cherry tree with it, you should dilute the liquid manure with water at a ratio of 1:10 so that the plant does not get burned.

Another proven method of fertilizing fruit trees is mulching. To do this, spread grass clippings or leaves on the tree disc. The ongoing decomposition of the organic material provides your cherry tree with additional nutrients. In addition, the mulch layer helps to keep the tree thimble free of weeds, thus avoiding nutrient competition between herbs and the shallow-rooted fruit tree. In hot summers, the protective layer also protects the floor from drying out.

Needs-based fertilization begins with the planting of cherry trees. And you can find out how you should prune your cherry tree in order to achieve an optimal harvest in our specialArticle.

We have prepared our comprehensive overview article on the subject of "fertilizing fruit trees" for you here.

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Fruit