A common characteristic of popular stone fruits – sweet cherries, cherries, plums, apricots and peaches – is the love of these cultures for warmth and light. Among the serious risks of stone fruit trees, experts distinguish winter injury and spring frosts: staying at excessively low temperatures and in the wind leads to freezing of the roots. Stone fruits are not cold-resistant fruit trees, are easily damaged by frosts and are more susceptible to fungal diseases – moniliosis, clasterosporiasis and coccomycosis.
Stone fruits
Stone fruits
Stone fruits
Peculiarities
The root system of stone fruits is less deep than that of other fruit trees, which requires special digging and care for the trunk circle. Stone fruits react to excess moisture and to poor soil drainage by a sharp decrease in ovary and fruiting. Due to these features of stone fruits, they are prepared for the next growing cycle immediately after harvesting, stimulating their immunity, carrying out rejuvenating pruning and treating branches and leaves for future generative organs, and contribute to aeration of the upper soil layer.
Sato® Turbo organo-mineral fertilizers increase the awakening of generative buds and enhance branching. SatoHum® growth regulators are suggested for rootstock treatment, as well as to extend the keeping longevity of fruits.
At the beginning of the growing cycle, it is important to apply enough nitrogen or complex organo-mineral fertilizers – this develops shoots, enhances the growth of leaves and vegetative buds. Before the start of the budding, flowering and ovary stages, a comprehensive biostimulation and, if necessary, phytosanitary treatment of the foliar system are required. The availability of phosphorus in this stage ensures abundant flowering and fruit ovary. We’ve developed specific formulations Sato® Turbo NPK 6-12-8 with high phosphorus content, and Sato® Turbo with micronutrients to guarantee the accurate income of trace elements.
This also applies to the saplings transplanting from nurseries – timely feeding and protection of planting material extends the stress resistance of rootstocks, improves rooting, and promotes the development of a strong root system. For shoot treatment, liquid potassium humate SatoHum® K is recommended.
Unlike other fruits, stone fruits don’t ripen after harvest and their shelf life is much lower. Stone fruits tolerate transportation worse than pome fruits.
The most common defects and diseases of stone fruits
- infection with fungal diseases - various types of fruit rot, spotting and scab, attacks of insect pests;
- chlorosis and discolouration of leaves and fruits indicate a lack of boron and iron, which can also be caused by an excess of nitrogen in the vegetative organs;
- a lack of sugar (low Brix) in fruits indicates a manganese deficiency. Manganese also strengthens the stalks and keeps the fruits on the branches, corrects underdeveloped fruits due to adverse weather conditions, and in combination with boron and iron helps to gain color more actively;
- fragile skin is an indicator of calcium starvation. Calcium gives fruits turgor, that is, it makes the membranes of external cells more elastic.
4 Sato® Steps – recommendations for fertilization and top dressing for sweet cherries, cherries, plums, apricots, peaches
| SOILS | VEGETATION BEGINNING | GROWTH | HARVEST | ||
SatoSoil® Biome Preservation of fertile layer Top dressing for mulching trunks Organic soils nutrition Deep incorporation or mulching SatoSoil® pHoenix Restoration of saline and acidic soils Deep incorporation SatoHum® K or Watering the soil improver | SatoHum® Complex / Complex top dressing with minerals Systemic micronutrient feeding | SatoHum® K / Sato® Tubo micronutrients Rectification of meso and microelements starvation Fighting parasites and fungal diseases | Sato® Tubo K-B / Sato® Tubo K-Mo / Sato® Tubo K-Zn Feeding with micronutrients SatoHum® Complex Fruit plumping Weight gain First buds Ovary of fruits | SatoHum® Complex Long keeping quality Before harvesting | |
WARNING AND GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: 4 Sato® Steps is a comprehensive crop care system that provides the basic crop needs for the main 12 macro, meso and micronutrients for an optimal growing cycle and unlocking the potential of each crop.
SOILS: In pre-sowing application of SatoSoil® improvers, the minimum rate is introduced; when autumn applying, the maximum rate is recommended. When applying Sato® Turbo organo-mineral fertilizers after SatoSoil® improvers, the minimum rate is applied; if the soil hasn’t been treated, the maximum rate is applied. For irrigation, it’s recommended to activate granulates (soil improvers) with SatoHum® K liquid formulation or Sato® Turbo NPK liquid organo-mineral product.
SEEDS/SEEDLINGS/VEGETATION BEGINNING: Treatment of seeds and seedlings with SatoHum® K formulation is compatible with treatment by classical protectants without reducing the rates of their application, and helps to increase the viability of seedlings, the development of the plant and its fruitfulness.
GROWTH: Our SatoHum® solutions have a guaranteed composition with high content of humic and fulvic acids with amino acids of plant origin. It is not recommended to exceed the total applying dose of SatoHum® liquid formulations over 6 l/ha/season, starting from the germination/seedlings phase. If SatoHum® K is used for prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to apply the minimum dose.
HARVEST: Simultaneous fertilization with several SatoHum® products is not expected, excepting the soil improver’s activation. It’s not recommended to exceed the specified application rates. For single, not systemic application of SatoHum® products, the maximum dosage of the product is recommended.
Discuss with an expert
To order our products or get an exhaustive consultation, write to us at info@satohum.by.
We will respond within 24-48 hours.