The almond tree is very common in the southern regions of Spain. It is a tree of arid lands whose fruit is the almond tree. Almond is widely used to be a healthy dry fruit both for food and for confectionery. Many people want to have an almond tree at home, both in a pot and in the garden. Yet they don’t know how to care for an almond tree. Care should be a little strict at first and lighter as they develop.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you how to take care of an almond tree step by step and what aspects you must take into account.
Contents
Characteristics of the almond tree
The almond tree is a tree that, in adulthood, has a very typical brown trunk with cracked bark and a height of between three and five meters. Its leaves are lanceolate, elongated, narrow and pointed with an intense green color and grow in winter.after flowering its branches are filled with beautiful five-petalled flowers in shades of white or pink at the end of winter, and later grow fruits and seeds (almonds that are eaten later).
Almond trees flower in winter, between the end of January and February (depending on the weather), and the fruits will be harvested 9 months later. Depending on the quality of its flowering, it will be the harvest of the current year.. The more flowers, the more fruit.
How to Care for an Almond Tree
Compared to other fruit trees, almond trees require a relatively short list of care. It is resistant to drought, but it is better to take this into account so as not to cause a nuisance. Anyway, we will see it in detail later.
For it to flourish, it must be in a climate with warm temperatures and not too cold winters, since frosts are deadly. As it has large roots to spread out, you should ensure the soil is light and loose, preferably sandy. The last thing to keep in mind in part one is to keep it free from pests and diseases as they can kill it.
The most cost effective method of obtaining high quality and yielding almond trees is drip irrigation. Research has shown that almond trees can achieve maximum productivity provided they receive adequate irrigation. When the average irrigation water consumption is 3,000 cubic meters, up to 3,500 kg of seeds can be sown per hectare on average.
Although illogical due to the temperature system in which it is located, spring is the period of most concern that must be established to optimize crops. This is when the tree goes through its most important processes, such as vegetative development, flowering and fruit set, to name a few.
Irrigation and light considerations
The irrigation of almond trees is based on a series of considerations formulated according to the environmental conditions. First of all, it must be taken into account that if the rainfall is sufficient and sufficient to keep the tree well hydrated, irrigation is not necessary.
The period of greatest need for irrigation is spring, which may need to be adjusted to water every other day. After that, irrigation should be continued in summer and stopped 4-5 days before the start of harvest to avoid crop problems. When the process is completed, watering should be seriously restarted, even in the fall. This goes hand in hand with obtaining abundant flowers in the following cycle.
Almond trees have large structures, so they are constantly exposed to the sun throughout their life. This is a condition that greatly benefits them, as it is a plant that grows best in warm climates. This does not mean that it can thrive in tropical climates, as it must also be cold.. During this cold season, almond trees are able to break the dormancy of the buds. Of course, it’s not too cold either, because frost could seriously damage its structure.
How to Care for a Potted Almond Tree
Although the almond tree is tall in its natural form, it also offers the possibility of planting it in a pot and keeping it in a small space in your home. In this case, it must be taken into account that it must benefit from conditions similar to those to which it may be exposed in its natural environment.
Under these conditions we have:
- Enjoying a temperate climate, with hot seasons and cold seasonsis dedicated to plant remains.
- Direct sunlight is available for most of the day. We must be very careful to meet this requirement as it is non-negotiable.
- Ensures an efficient irrigation system, preferably simulating drip (a watering can can be used). The good news is that it can tolerate a brief drying period, in case you forget.
- Control the humidity present in the environment as it can cause the appearance of pests or diseases.
- Prune regularly (about every 5 years) to ensure it stays productive longer. A favorable season for this is the winter holidays.
The nutritional needs of an almond tree will be closely related to the conditions of the land in which it is grown. In general, almond trees need macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and micronutrients (mainly calcium, magnesium and zinc).
However, The strategy adopted is to assess the land and determine the nutrient deficiencies it must supply. With this information, all you need to do is go to the produce store and purchase the appropriate fertilizer to apply.
If this more precise system is not available, the best strategy is to use organic fertilizers. These fertilizers should be applied in early spring, when they are most in demand, and continued throughout the summer. To own an almond tree is not only to enjoy a noble tree that will shower you with fruit, but also to fall in love with its spectacular flowers.
It’s a small approach compared to the number of benefits it offers, so be sure to consider them all to drive compliance. At the end of the day, it all comes down to watering, sun exposure, fertilizing, pruning and changing seasons.
Hopefully, with this information, you can learn more about caring for an almond tree, its characteristics, and maintenance.