How and what to feed a pear tree in the spring for a good harvest

Pear

For a pear tree to grow vigorously, develop, and bear fruit, it requires care. Fertilizing the pear tree in the spring is a crucial agricultural practice for a good harvest. The composition and amount of fertilizer, as well as the application methods, all depend on the tree's growing season and the time of year. If you follow agricultural practices, you will grow a pear tree that will bear a lot of fruit.

The need for feeding

If a tree is developing poorly, its shoots are thin and limp, and its flowers are constantly falling off before they even have a chance to open, this indicates a lack of nutrients or disease. Changes in leaf color can indicate nutrient deficiencies:

when nitrogen and phosphorus become pale;
when the group of nutrients is black;
with red phosphorus;
when potassium turns yellow.

When applying fertilizer when planting a pear tree, avoid feeding it for the next three years, as too much fertilizer will negatively impact its development. Pears older than three years need to be fed annually. The amount of fertilizer varies depending on the condition of the leaves and fruiting status.

https://youtu.be/Z_rt1jW6R0w

Fertilizing a pear tree for good fruit set consists of three root applications and several foliar feedings. Fertilizing begins in early spring, when the buds begin to open. Then again in the spring, but this time during the blossom season. And again after the blossoms have fallen. Root feeding is done with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Applying these fertilizers in the spring will accelerate pear growth, increase the number of ovaries, and make them stronger. Potassium and phosphorus are added along with nitrogen. They decompose slowly, gradually releasing nutrients. Consequently, the tree will absorb them mid-season. Before fertilizing a young pear tree, the soil is loosened and moistened. Foliar feeding is used in the summer.

Features of spring feeding

The pear tree awakens in spring and begins preparing for fruiting. It's important to replenish any nutrient deficiencies to help it recover. Fertilize the pear tree in spring when growth is slow, at planting, and during and after flowering. Moist, loose soil is essential.

When fertilizing a pear, the following conditions must be met:

adhere to the recommended dosage;
do not put nitrogen fertilizers into the planting hole;
use complex means;
Apply root fertilizer to the tree trunk circle and dig it in to a depth of 10 cm.

Fertilizer can be added when preparing the hole for planting the tree. Dig a hole measuring 700 x 700 x 700 mm. Then enrich the bottom layer of soil with 6-10 buckets of compost or 2-3 buckets of humus. Mix the soil removed from the hole with potassium-phosphorus fertilizer in a 1:1 ratio. If necessary, deoxidize the soil with slaked lime. 400 g per hole is sufficient. Next, return the enriched soil to the hole, compact it, and add 3 buckets of water per hole. Cover the top with a sheet of plywood to prevent soil from washing away. Wait two weeks for all the minerals to dissolve. It is advisable to apply Kornevin after planting the tree. It promotes rapid root growth. Prepare a solution of 5 g of powder and 5 liters of water. Water the area around the tree trunk.

If a young pear tree isn't growing well, it needs additional feeding. This can happen if the tree doesn't have enough light and warmth, has poor soil, is under-watered, or is affected by pests, viruses, and fungi. Urea or saltpeter are used to stimulate growth and development. They are considered the most effective. To improve their absorption, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are added. It's preferable to use complex preparations, diluting them according to the instructions.

Attention!

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied foliarly, through foliar application. This will help protect the tree from pests.

In addition to fertilizing, the soil should be thoroughly loosened to improve air permeability. Adding a solution of ferrous sulfate helps prevent fungal diseases. Fertilizing is often necessary during ripening and before flowering. Stimulation is performed before the flowers begin to open, during flowering, and after the leaves fall. In the first months of spring, when the air temperature rises to 5°C, the tree is fertilized with organic matter.

https://youtu.be/21NCTgflfUE

Some recipes for organic products:

200 g of chicken manure with 5 liters of water. Infuse for 24 hours.
200 g of urea per 1 bucket of water. Water 2 trees.
200 g of urea dissolved in 10 liters of water. Pour the infusion over 2 trees.
2 tablespoons of saltpeter with 10 liters of water.

Basic fertilizers for top dressing

Without mineral fertilizers, you can't expect a healthy and abundant harvest. Gardeners often avoid using them, believing they'll harm the tree. However, if you don't monitor the amount of organic fertilizers you use, they can also be harmful. The key is to always follow the dosage. In this case, mineral fertilizers will often be more effective than organic ones. Potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen are especially important for pear trees. It's important to select and combine fertilizers wisely. If fertilizers are applied promptly and according to recommendations, the pears will be sweet and large.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium

https://youtu.be/8tqTLKN1jBE

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring. This is done to ensure the pear tree has time to develop healthy, lush foliage. If there's not enough nitrogen, the leaves will turn yellow and fall prematurely. However, too much nitrogen will burn the root system, causing the fruit to accumulate high levels of nitrates. Young branches will also begin to grow excessively, reducing the tree's fruit production.

Nitrogen fertilizers include:

sodium nitrate;
ammonium nitrate;
ammonium sulfate;
urea.

Urea is considered the most concentrated fertilizer. It is often used to prevent and replenish nitrogen deficiency in trees.

Another important nutrient is phosphorus. It's rarely found in a form readily available for tree fertilization. Without it, pear trees barely absorb nitrogen, fail to grow, roots fail to develop, and few fruits ripen. Organic matter (bird droppings and manure) also contains little phosphorus. For this reason, mineral phosphorus supplements—phosphate rock and superphosphate—are used.

Potassium is considered essential, especially for the growth of young pears. In mature trees, this nutrient boosts immunity, improves fruit shelf life, and helps maintain tree health during frost and drought. Potassium is applied as potassium salt and potassium sulfate. Complex pear fertilizers are also used, which contain three components: potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Other nutrients (sulfur, magnesium) and microelements may also be included. These include:

diammonium phosphate;
ammophos;
nitrophoska.

Fertilizing pear trees with these products in the spring will stimulate tree growth and improve yield. Both young and mature trees are sprayed.

Organic fertilizers

Organic matter is a natural byproduct of animal and bird activity. It is rich in nutrients that are easily absorbed by trees. Organic fertilizers have a positive effect on the soil and activate bacteria.

There are several effective and frequently used remedies:

manure;
litter;
ash.

Manure is a fertilizer containing many nutrients beneficial to pear trees. Fresh organic matter contains ammonia, which can seriously damage the roots, so it is not applied fresh. Only well-rotted manure is used. It takes 2-3 years to obtain. Humus is applied at a rate of 6-10 kg per square meter. Bird droppings are applied only in the spring during the growth of seedlings and several year-old trees. The soil is fertilized in a circle around the trunk.

Attention!

Do not add fresh, undiluted bird droppings, as they can burn the root system.

To prevent damage to the roots, manure is first disinfected. Place 1-1.5 kg of organic matter in a 10-liter bucket, then add 3-4 liters of water. Leave the mixture for 1-2 days while it ferments. Then add liquid to the brim and stir. If manure is improperly prepared and stored, the nitrogen will transform into ammonia. This is why dry manure is often recommended. It is diluted as follows: 1 part organic matter to 20 parts water. It can be used immediately.

Ash is a valuable organic material that increases soil acidity. It's a good alternative to potassium-based fertilizers: 1 cup of ash replaces 10 g of potassium-based fertilizers. It contains a large number of various macro- and microelements (zinc, iron, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium). After fertilizing with ash, the beneficial effects last for up to 3 years.

To ensure a bountiful harvest, remember that it's impossible without fertilizing. However, overfertilizing is also dangerous. It's important for a pear tree to receive a complete nutritional complex—both mineral and organic. Don't neglect macro- and micronutrients. The age of the pear tree determines the amount of fertilizing needed. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in an inconsistent and poor-quality harvest. Before fertilizing, watch a video with a diagram of how to fertilize a pear tree.