What if the cherry does not bear fruit?

Cherries can bloom very profusely in the spring. Gardeners, looking at the branches strewn with white flowers, look forward to harvesting the same bountiful harvest. However, their hopes are not always justified, and instead of juicy berries, only empty stalks remain on the branches. There are several possible reasons why cherries are not fruitful in your garden.

Possible reasons

Insufficient pollination

Cherry refers to plants that are cross-pollinated, that is, an ovary occurs when pollen of a different variety falls on the pistil. All varieties are divided into self-fertile, partially self-fertile and self-fertile or ordinary.

One of the most common reasons why cherries do not bear fruit is the lack of proper pollinator. Not all cherry varieties are capable of self-fertility, that is, independently pollinate with their own pollen. These trees require a pollinator to set fruit, a different cherry variety whose pollen is suitable for mutual cross-pollination. Pollinators bloom, as a rule, simultaneously with a variety that is not capable of independent ovaries. Such trees should be planted no further than 20-30 meters relative to each other. Therefore, the selection of the necessary and desired variety, the determination of the landing site is an important task.

Regular varieties of cherries without pollinators will tie only 5-7% of the possible harvest, and self-fertile ones - up to 40%.It is advisable to use root shoots when planting only those trees in which you are confident in fruiting, and not to limit the garden to one variety of cherries. In cases where it is not possible to plant an additional pollinator variety, they should be grafted into the crown of the corresponding tree or bush. As a last resort, in the spring during flowering, you can put flowering cut branches of a different variety next to the tree.

Fungal diseases

If the cherry does not bear fruit, it is possible that the tree is infected with such a harmful disease, coccomycosis... As a rule, this fungus infects leaves, rarely - fruits in later varieties. In early summer, after flowering, brown spots or pinkish-red bloom appear on the leaves. The leaves wither and crumble, the tree weakens and becomes sensitive to severe frosts. In spring, the infected tree ceases to bloom profusely, and the fruit buds are not laid.

A disease such as monilial burn is also common. It manifests itself in the spring. Through the peduncle, the pathogen penetrates into fruit shoots and buds, causing them to wilt. Often, dried leaves and flowers remain on the tree until the next year. And in the summer, even green fruits begin to rot, not having time to ripen. The affected branches, leaves and fruits, where the fungus hibernates, should be promptly removed in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

Weather

The fruiting of cherries is directly influenced by weather conditions. Excessive dampness, hot and dry weather, severe frosts in winter and spring frosts can significantly reduce the fruitfulness of even a strong and healthy tree.

Poor conditions during cherry blossoms negatively affect pollination. In rainy weather, or, for example, during a cold snap, the activity of insects that collect nectar and pollen is reduced. And in very dry, hot weather, the quality of pollen is significantly reduced, which leads to its timely shedding.

During winter frosts or during short-term spring thaws, flower buds can freeze out. The risk of freezing increases especially if cherries were watered abundantly or fed with nitrogenous fertilizers in late summer and early autumn. Damaged flower buds open later in spring, the fruits either do not set at all, or they crumble completely green.

Lack of proper feeding

If the cherry does not bear fruit, the soil may be too acidic, and this tree is extremely sensitive to the composition of the soil and location. Nearby groundwater can also cause cherries to bloom but not bear fruit. If the groundwater is closer than 1.7-2 meters, the trees are planted on an artificial embankment 2-3 m in diameter and height that provides the required depth of groundwater.

Cherry will give the greatest yield if it grows in sandy loam soil with neutral, or close to it, acidity. Other acidity should be corrected by liming the soil. However, it should be borne in mind that the lack of boron, often accompanying calcareous soil, also reduces the percentage of ovaries. In order for the cherry to bear fruit, the soil should be fertilized regularly and in a timely manner while loosening the soil under the bushes and digging the near-trunk zone.

General condition of the tree

Excessive thickening of the crown negatively affects the harvest. Regular thinning and pruning stimulates the growth of new shoots, reduces the risk of disease and weakening of the tree as a whole, and allows you to choose the optimal cut-off regime. Damaged, dry, inward-facing crowns and intertwining branches should be removed.

Blooms but does not bear fruit

Correct care

In order for cherries to bear fruit, the garden should be laid from a variety of varieties with approximately the same flowering period. Even in self-fertile varieties, planting a number of other cherries increases fruiting. Do not use root growth for planting material. In the event that the tree has been grafted, wild animals will grow from its root, and not varietal plants. To propagate the desired wild-grafted cherry variety, use a root cuttings.

If the cherry does not bear fruit, periodically apply top dressing. This should be done better according to the following scheme: in the autumn, under each tree, when digging the near-trunk zone, an average of 60-80 grams of potash and 180-220 grams of phosphorus fertilizers are applied. And they carry out two or three additional feeding during the growing season of the baby. The first begins immediately after the end of flowering, the second - 10-15 days after the first. Top dressing is applied by dissolving 12-16 grams of urea, potassium chloride and 22-28 grams of superphosphate in 10-15 liters of water. Positive results are obtained by the introduction of ash infusion and rotted manure in the fall, but not more often than once every 2-3 years.

Although cherries are very drought tolerant, 3-4 heavy watering per night is advisable, at the rate of 4-6 buckets per tree. The first watering is usually combined with summer groundbait immediately after flowering. The second watering is necessary at the beginning of the ripening of the berries, and the third - in the late autumn period, after dropping the foliage, but before the onset of a cold temperature.

Prevention of fungal diseases

Remove last year's leaves regularly and thoroughly, as they are the primary source of fungal diseases. Thin the crown by removing excess, damaged, dying branches. By the brown spots on the leaves, you can determine what kind of fungal disease the tree is affected by. You can get rid of diseases using chemical treatment.

The first spraying is carried out at the end of flowering, then after 10-16 days and after harvesting. One or two sprays should be carried out for prevention purposes. In cases where time is missed for the first treatment, trees can be sprayed before the fruits ripen, with the expectation that there are still 20-25 days left before harvesting.

Video "Why cherries do not bear fruit"

In the video, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Kanshina M.V. talks about the possible reasons for the deterioration of cherry fruiting in the Leningrad region and Siberia.