During the year, all plants, both fruit and berry, go through two periods: vegetation and dormancy. Some botanists tend to distinguish also short-term phases. This is a transition from dormancy to vegetation in spring and, conversely, in the autumn period. At this time, you should prepare the trees and shrubs for the upcoming changes: in the spring - for the fruiting period, and in the fall - for the winter holidays. Plant vegetation takes the entire warm period. It begins in the spring with swelling of the kidneys and ends in the fall with massive leaf fall.
Factors Affecting This Condition
The main conditions that determine the duration of the vegetative period are the length of daylight hours and air temperature. Of course, these two factors directly depend on the geographical location of the region. The frequency of the onset of the light period and the number of warm days are important. We can say that plant vegetation also depends on the variety, breed, agricultural technology and, of course, on natural conditions. Each species, whether it is an apple tree, pear or currant, has its own individual phenophases, which will occur at different times.
Depending on the duration of lighting, the rate of increase or, conversely, the temperature drop, the passage of this period may change over the years. As an example, the following facts can be cited: if you reduce the humidity of the earth and air, then the active period will be reduced.
What changes are observed during the growing season?
Plant vegetation, or rather fruit and berry trees and shrubs, does not occur simultaneously. The blooming of the kidneys is observed in some species earlier, and in others a little later. How does this happen? Initially, the kidney swells. After this, the scales burst from internal pressure, and a green shoot, its apical part, becomes visible. Gradually formed leaf denticles, and then the leaf itself. So an escape appears. In the second period of vegetation, buds form in the axils of the leaves. Throughout the active period, young shoots accumulate a supply of mineral substances that will help them survive the dormant phase. These components will allow the shoots to continue their growth next year. It is then that the formation of flower buds will begin.
Budding and flowering period
The vegetative period in shrubs and trees occurs approximately the same. In the axils of the leaves of young shoots that have already survived their first winter, fruit buds are laid. They can be both apical and lateral. This process ends after the organs of the future flower are formed inside: pistils and stamens.
In trees and shrubs of early flowering varieties, buds are formed earlier. For example, in stone fruits it takes 2.5-3 months. But in the blossoming later apple tree, the buds of the kidneys go from 3 to 3.5 months. Nevertheless, on each young shoot, the process of flower bud formation will be finalized only in the spring of next year. It is then, and not earlier, that its swelling will occur. After a short time, the flower opens. At the same time, buds do not open simultaneously on the same branch. That is why the flowering period can last several days. This greatly increases the chance of pollination.
Agrotechnical events
Plant vegetation begins in mid-spring. All agricultural activities are associated with it. At this time, cultivated fruit and berry plants need additional care.
After winter, with the disappearance of the snow cover, all trees and shrubs live mainly due to the plastic material deposited in the root system and on the ground. It accumulated all the previous year. Many mistakenly believe that in early spring, plants feed on minerals in the soil. If the tree does not have enough nutrients, then it is not able to start the formation of flower buds. Therefore, the harvest next year can not wait. To avoid this, it is necessary to fertilize the soil not only in the spring, but also in the autumn. This is very important for good fruiting.
Fertilizing plants during the growing season
The vegetative period in the spring begins for gardeners with measures to fertilize the soil. This contributes to the appearance of growth, which will help to get a good harvest. Also, this cannot but affect the process of laying fruit buds. The more they will be, the more abundant the crop can be expected next year. But during the period of cessation of growth, the introduction of nitrogenous components into the soil will have a negative effect.
Almost the entire spring and early summer, all fruit bushes and trees live not only due to their plastic materials, but also absorb all the nutrients from the soil. Therefore, the main thing is that at the time when the buds are laid, the plant receives as many mineral and organic substances as possible. It is necessary to regularly fertilize the soil. In addition, you need to monitor the thermal and water-air regime.
Rest period
The vegetative period of plants ends in the fall after the leaves fall. But shrubs and trees may also show some activity after, for example, during thaws. In such periods, it is very important that the plant has enough nutrients. Where did they get from trees and shrubs in the deep of winter? They accumulate them throughout the entire period under review. As a rule, by the end of the cold winter, this stock is almost completely exhausted.
In addition, plants lose moisture through the surface of the integumentary tissues of the branches and trunk. Everything is aggravated if winter is windy. With strong gusts of wind, moisture loss can be critical. The process under consideration for trees in the spring may not begin. The plant freezes. Not only branches can die, but also the whole tree or shrub. To avoid this, it is necessary to moderate fruit and berry plants in the fall, especially in dry years. These measures can mitigate the harmful effects of wind.
The effect of irrigation on the growth of trees and shrubs
In some years, when there is a very hot summer, the growth of trees is delayed. They lack moisture. If heavy rains suddenly begin in the second half of summer, then this is also not very good for a plant . Due to the abundance of moisture, trees and shrubs give a strong flash of growth, and it drags on. If the branches continue to grow, they will not prepare well for the winter period. We have already said what plant vegetation means. It includes the accumulation of nutrients, while the shoots must ripen. If this does not happen, the plant may die. Therefore, the goal of gardeners in the fall is to prevent the secondary growth of shoots.
How to stop the growth of plants?
The vegetation period in plants is characterized by active growth. It begins in the spring and lasts throughout the entire warm period until the first frost. Can I pause it? In autumn, this is possible. To do this, dry the soil around the plants. To achieve this, you need to stop loosening the soil around the trees and shrubs. For some time, weeds do not touch wildly growing here. It is they who, with their root system, extract moisture from the earth, evaporating it with the surface of the leaves. Thus, they reduce the risk of freezing of trees in winter. It is even more advisable not to leave weeds, but to plant cultivated herbs and flowers around the trees and under them.
Apple tree vegetation
The beginning of the apple growing season is observed approximately 20 days after the average daily temperature is set above +5 degrees. But, of course, it should be borne in mind that spring can be different: quick or long. Therefore, experienced gardeners establish the beginning of this period as follows. They count the amount of heat on fine days. Vegetation of the apple tree will begin as soon as this figure exceeds +200 degrees. If you know the exact date when the temperature (daytime, of course) became more than +5, then it’s quite simple to add the desired date by folding. Why is this necessary? Because during this period vigorous activity of cambium is noted, which means that this is the best time for vaccination.
Currant Vegetation
Among all fruit and berry plants, currant vegetation is one of the first to start. The swelling of the buds on its shoots is noticeable in the first decade of April. In the southern regions, it occurs a little earlier than in the northern ones. From the beginning of the swelling of the kidneys to the blooming of the buds, only 10 days pass. Moreover, there are no leaves on the shrub. Flowering lasts no more than a week.