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Everything about pomegranate and its cultivation!

Written by AdMHaGr on . Posted in Fruit trees, Garden & Nature.

The fruit of the pomegranate because of its high content of vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E as well as iron, potassium, fiber, tannins, polyphenols, folic acid and many other antioxidant substances, is classified as nutritional superfood offered by the Earth.

The pomegranate is a tree or shrub depending on the trimming that is taking place, deciduous with a maximum height of no more than 5 meters. The leaves of the pomegranate are small and the flowers are big and red. The fruits are collected in autumn, usually in mid-October, depending on the climate.

Useful part of the pomegranate is considered the whole fruit except the stalk. The hue of a good and healthy pomegranate should be scarlet. To prevent the pomegranate to brust open prematurely, it needs much more water than usual during the summer. Τhe fruit becomes sweeter by watering regularly. Store seeds of the pomegranate, for natural and powerful body peeling. In addition, pomegranate contains proteins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, all vitamin B complex other than B12, fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium.

If you find it difficult to consume as food, pomegranate makes a wonderful juice, especially combined with apple.

Planting

Planting is ideally done from November to March in well-drained soils. Planting should be done after the leaves fall in the fall and before they throw new shoots. Before planting, you can ideally add well-digested manure or perphosphate fertilizer

Plants in soil ball can be planted all year round while the pits should be about 30 * 30 cm depending on the size of the plant. Planting distances should be 4 * 4 meters for good sunbathing and ventilation of trees. If you choose to plant bare rooted seedlings, you must plant them immediately after purchase. After planting, water immediately so that the air leaves between the roots and the soil.


Pruning

If the pomegranate is left unpruned, it shows dense vegetation and branches, as a result of which it weakens and significantly reduces its production. The annual fruiting pruning or even every two years must be done in order to have enough, healthy and delicious fruits, while the most suitable season is winter from December to February. When branches begin to appear in the spring, we prune carefully to reduce the branches and allow the tree to give weight to the fruits.

We never prune on days with high humidity, rain, strong north winds and very low temperatures, as the cuts are a bridge to penetrate moisture and frost in the trunk of the pomegranate and rot it or invade diseases and germs. Fruit pruning aims to maintain the shape of the pomegranate, good ventilation, proper height and removal of diseased branches. If necessary, we renew some of the central shoots. At the end of each pruning, we smear the wounds with a special preparation to protect against diseases, and disinfect our tools.

The shaping pruning is done in young pomegranates to give the desired shape to the pomegranates, usually in a bushy shape. The pruning is done as in all trees, selecting from 3 to 5 basic shoots that will create the basic cup-shaped shape and remove the other branches from the base of the trunk. We will keep these shoots until the tree grows big enough that they need to be cut at height, ie from 2 meters and above. Spraying with copper after pruning and before flowering, protects against disease and strengthens your plant.


Varieties

The pomegranate is a deciduous shrub by nature. Since the 1980s, over 1,000 different varieties of pomegranate have been recorded: fruit-bearing and non-fruitbearing, of normal size and dwarfs. The fruit bearing ones can be sweet or sour. The most widespread varieties in Greece are Wonderful, Hermione and Acco.

Eversweet is one of the sweetest varieties to grow at home, and a good choice for those who live in cooler regions, as even immature fruits still have a sweet flavor. The pomegranates are large and pink to pale red, that have very small interior seeds. This pomegranade is well suited for garden or container growing. The fruits are ready to harvest between August and October.

Kazake is a Russian variety that can withstand some colder winter temperatures. This variety is well suited for small spaces as it’s a short one. It’s mature fruits are medium to large that can range from yellow-orange to light red. Ripe pomegranates, are harvested between September and October.

Texas Pink is an attractive tree with a vigorous, upright growth habit. with bright red flowers. Ready to harvest around October, the deep pink pomegranates have pink to red juicy soft arils with a sweet and slightly tart flavor.


Wonderful is a variety that sets fruit the size of a large orange, with a glossy peel and bright red colour. The seeds are full of flavor, reminiscent of red wine. When fully ripened, the fruit has a delicious flavor and produces a slightly sour juice. The fruit is quite resistant after harvesting, which usually begins mid-October.

Hermione isa variety with few thorns, and usually long and non-interlocking stems. It sets fruit of average size 300gr, with a relatively soft peel and not as red a color as the Wonderful variety. The seed is large and soft with a sweet and velvety flavor. There is also a sub-variety with a harder but juicier seed. The fruit of this variety are less resistant after harvesting than the Wonderful variety. Harvest usually begins mid-October.

Acco is a variety with many thorns and tangled stems, which sets small and medium sized fruit (250-400gr), with a glossy peel and deep red colour. Its seed is deep red and semi-hard, with relatively sweet taste although more tangy than the previous varieties. Acco’s fruits are quite sensitive after harvest, which begins mid-September.

Karavelos variety sets glossy fruit with a yellowish-red colour. Their seeds and taste are similar to that of the Hermione variety, but the fruit is quite resistant after harvesting which begins mid-October.


Addition of fertilizers

The addition of fertilizer is based on the soil in which the cultivation takes place. The main components that the pomegranate needs for healthy growth, are nitrogen, necessary for growth and flowering and therefore fruiting, potassium which plays an important role in the size and quality of the fruit, and of course we can not to exclude water, which regulates fruit yield and fruit quality.

A complete fertilizer mixture for pomegranates should also contain phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron. We start in March and finish in July, before the early fruits are harvested. Beware of excessive nitrogen fertilization as it rapidly increases the growth of branches and reduces the quality of the fruit.

Healing properties

Pomegranate from ancient times is considered the fruit of fertility and good luck, and it is no accidental characterization. As the fruit is rich in vitamins and is considered a great superfood.

Consumption of pomegranate juice prevents and slows down many forms of cancer, such as breast, prostate or skin cancer.

The properties of the pomegranate are numerous and many of them rare. It is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, and acts as a healing agent, and is therefore very useful in abrasions and injuries.

It stimulates our body’s immune system due to high levels of vitamin C, while in cases of cold or asthma it has very good antitussive and astringent properties. Its juice is also very effective for various gum diseases while also strengthening and protecting the teeth.

One of the most important and best known properties of the pomegranate is the beneficial effect it has on our heart and blood. It normalizes blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels, good and bad, supports the production of healthy red blood cells, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Generally it acts as a tonic of the heart, cleanses the blood, helps in better blood circulation and the functioning of the cardiovascular system and prevents arteriosclerosis.

Other pomegranate properties are the protection from brain damage and the prevention of eye diseases due to its high vitamin A content. It is very effective in treating symptoms during menopause and also improves erectile function in men and increases fertility in both sexes. It is considered very good tonic and detoxifying.

Other uses of pomegranate are related to the protection and in some cases the curing of our internal organs: It heals from chronic diarrhea and dysentery and generally normalizes our digestive system. Protects the kidneys from toxins and cleans them, while offering rare protection to the liver and helping to regenerate it.

Pomegranate helps regulate blood sugar, thereby improving body sensitivity to insulin and factors that affect metabolic syndrome. It therefore protects against obesity and can help in weight loss. Finally, consuming pomegranate, either the fruit or its juice, offers spiritual clarity.

There are no side effects and precautions in use, unless there is an allergy to the fruit. Consumption as in all foods and herbs, needs measure.

Cosmetic uses

The fruit of the pomegranate due to the many vitamins taht contains and the antioxidants, is one of the strongest anti-aging products od nature!It not only prevents premature aging from solar radiation and the mistreatment of the skin, but fights and free radicals, both internally and externally, offering cellular vigor and faster renewal of skin tissues.

The pomegranate juice rejuvenates the skin, and also has the ability to clean and smooth the skin by gently exfoliating it. It is excellent for hydrating the skin and smoothes wrinkles. The pomegranate is ideal both for face and body, providing the same properties and leaving a feeling of youthful and clean skin.

The glow that pomegranate gives to the skin is incomparable, while it greatly helps to prevent and eliminate freckles. Pomegranate treats effectively burns and herpes virus. The shine that pomegranate gives, is not limited to the face or the body. It is also very effective, the use of pomegranate in hair, as it smoothes and helps to avoid frizz.

Great is the efficacy of pomegranate in cases of acne, which greatly helps to restore skin and deep cleaning, while in cases of dry skin it’s a strong moisturizer, it softens even very tired body areas such as the heels.

As the best cosmetic is what we eat, pomegranate cleans and moisturizes the body effectively, it increases water retention, while the calories are very low. So don’t forget to eat fruits rich and tasty as pomegranate!

Everything about the pear and its cultivation

Written by AdMHaGr on . Posted in Fruit trees, Garden & Nature.

Pear is one of the most beloved fruits of the Greek countryside, rich in vitamins and ideal food from infancy. It is a raw material for fruit salads and compotes while giving excellent taste to natural juices. It has a high nutritional value, with many antioxidants, fiber and vitamins without having many calories.

The pear (Pyrus communis) belongs to the family Rosaceae, the same family as the apple. It is a deciduous tree with ortho-branched vegetation, which enters fruiting after the 4th year. The productive life of a pear depends on many factors, but it can exceed 40 years. The flowers of the pear are white, and blooms depending on the climate of the area from the end of March to the end of April, usually together with the first leaves, and the flowering lasts about 20 days.

It can be grown at different altitudes, while it is best to avoid the hot and humid summer environment with frequent rainfall, because it is a risk of diseases favored by the humid and hot climate for pears. The cold during the winter months does not affect the tree, but spring frosts can damage the pear tree.

Pear varieties

Pear varieties differ depending on the ripening season. The early ones mature in the summer months, while the late ones mature in the autumn.

Famous Greek varieties are krystal and kontula, both delicious varieties that ripen in summer. There are many foreign varieties that are cultivated in Greece as well. In more detail:

Kontula, with its small light green fruit, is a variety with an excellent aroma and juicy, sweet taste and white flesh. It belongs to the varieties that ripen from the end of June until the middle of July. The fruit is susceptible to infections and is therefore relatively scarce. Ideal variety for mountainous – semi-mountainous areas. The stock can not be stored for a long time, so it should be consumed immediately after harvest.

Krystali is also a very aromatic variety of pear, it is of medium size in green color. Krystali is ready by mid-August so it is good to collect it a little earlier. Store in the refrigerator for a long time. Plant this variety from late fall to March.

PasaCrasana is a foreign variety, to be precise Japanese, with large spherical fruits in brown-green color. It withstands low and high temperatures as well as drought, while it is an aromatic variety but sour. It is planted from the beginning of November to the end of March and matures in September. Characteristic of the variety is the very long shelf life of the fruit.

The Coscia variety is very productive, with medium-sized yellow pears, with a characteristic buttery taste. It is an elongated fruit that ripens in early summer, June and early July, and like the kontula, it needs immediate consumption so as not to spoil. It is ideally planted in mountainous areas during the winter months. From the end of November to the beginning of March. Coscia is a very good pollinating variety for every pear tree.

Abate Fetel is a French variety with a large yellow-brown fruit when ripe. Very aromatic variety in elongated size that matures in September and is stored until January in the refrigerator. It is planted like all varieties from November to March.

Williams is very popular around the world as an industrial variety with great absorption in the compote industry. The size and shape looks like krystali in redder color when it is more mature. It is very well preserved, while it has a very sweet and buttery taste. It ripens at the end of August and the beginning of September.

Finally, we will mention the Santa Maria variety with a harvest period at the end of June and large juicy fruits in yellow color which reddish slightly when ripe. It is a fairly hardy variety, with fruits that are well preserved .

Of course there are still many varieties, some less popular and many that are not preferred for cultivation in Greece.

Proper growing conditions – climatic requirements

Pears, regardless of the variety, prefer hot and dry summers without being bothered by high temperatures, and cold winters (-20 to -7 oC) when they are dormant, but they do not withstand spring frosts, especially during flowering. Sunny areas are ideal with a south orientation, it wants fertile soils preferably with a neutral pH with good drainage and soft and deep soils for the roots to breathe.

Watering the pear

The pear is in great need of watering to produce pears. It needs good drainage in the soils, but also sufficient moisture. Ideally, from May to September it needs watering once a week depending on the heat, while in the months with increased demands (July and August) it definitely needs watering twice a week, as it is the period when the fruits grow and ripen. During the period of flowering and fruiting it is good not to dry the soils and of course not to stagnate water because the flowers will fall. Pear prefers drip irrigation for better and slower absorption. The irrigation of the pear depends and adapts to the variety, the soil and the climate of each area. If you notice yellowing of the leaves on the top and the periphery, then there is accumulation of water and poor drainage.

Planting pear

The pear is ideally planted in the winter when it is dormant. Bare pear seedlings are planted from December to February. Potted or baggy seedlings are planted all year round but the ideal planting period is from October to March.

Planting distances also depend on the configuration during pruning, with ideal distances of 4 * 5 meters to a maximum of 5 * 5 meters. From fences place the pears at least 2.5 meters away. The depth and width of planting must be sufficient so that the root system can fit comfortably and can grow. An ideal pit size is about 60 * 60 cm, but without grafting the plant into the ground. After planting, support the seedling carefully so as not to injure the trunk and well so as not to break or tilt in the wind.

Pear fertilizing

Fertilizing the pear is important to ensure good fruiting. It needs nitrogen in the spring and additional phosphorus and potassium in the early summer. Spraying the leaves with mixtures of trace elements and metals help in better production but can also be bypassed. You can put well-digested manure in early spring, while preferring organic fertilizers suitable for pears is the best option.

Pollination and fertilization of the pear

Bees and air are needed to pollinate and fertilize the pear. The majority of pear varieties need cross-pollination, ie pollination by other pear varieties with the same flowering period which are important to be in the same field or at close distances. Because it is not easy for everyone to have a beehive in their field for pollination of pear and of course other plants, it is good to plant beekeeping plants to attract bees and other pollinating insects, while helping to protect such an important insect in our ecosystem.

Harvest for better maintenance

The pear is good to pick when it has completed its growth but has not fully ripened. It is a fruit that is stored for a long time outside the refrigerator and a long time in the refrigerator depending on the variety, while it is good to harvest early in the morning and not at noon. Store pears away from apples as the ethylene released by the apple causes premature ripening in pears and other vegetables and fruits.

Pruning the pear tree

The pear is a tree that needs annual pruning for good growth and fruiting. We prune when the pear is dormant, from December to February, days with a dry climate, without fear of frost and rain so that the tree does not get moisture and become infected. The incisions should be covered with a protective formulation. Strict pruning reduces fruiting significantly.

Configuration pruning gives shape to young trees, in the shape you desire. Cup-shaped or palmette are the most common forms in amateur gardens. Fruiting pruning reduces stem growth for better fruiting in adult trees. The branches that bear fruit are pruned very little while we remove dry branches and dilute where they are dense so that there is proper ventilation and sun. We take care to control the height with appropriate pruning, as we want the height to serve us in the harvest. We do not prune last year’s shoots.

In the summer during the fruiting period, we improve the quality of the fruit by removing non-fruiting shoots with vigorous growth, while in June, the removal of smaller fruits that rest on larger fruits helps to grow tastier fruits without the risk of worming.

Propagation of pear

Propagation by grafting

The grafting is done on a quince or wild pear tree. Wild pear grafting offers a tree very resistant to drought and climatic conditions. To succeed, it must be done in June or August on an bud, or on an adult tree, in April by grafting the bark.

Propagation by seed

The seed is planted in early spring. Keep in mind that from the seed of a pear, we do not get the same variety of pear, so it needs grafting.

Propagation by cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, we take woody shoots 25-30 cm long in winter and plant in pots with perlite sand and peat in equal proportions. It needs good moisture to grow roots. In the spring they are transplanted.

Diseases of pear

Pear is a sensitive tree and quite vulnerable to insect attacks. For protection against infections and treatment of fungal diseases we can spray with a solution of copper and sulfur before flowering. The most common disease from which the spray protects is the fungus that blackens the leaves and rots the fruit. Protect the pear from infections by cutting the infected branches.

Insects that attack the pear, rot the fruit, mainly infect the leaves and suck their juices.

How to protect your trees in simple ways:

First of all, we always prefer ecological, herbal and homemade preparations, such as soap solution, vinegar solution, improvised insect traps, extracts and essential oils such as thyme.

We systematically disinfect our pruners and saws, while covering cracks and pruning cuts with protectors to prevent infections.

We take care and clean the branches well, at least 20 cm extra from the point of infection. While we check for the existence of plants that are hosts of infectious diseases and we remove accordingly.

Everything about the almond tree and its cultivation

Written by AdMHaGr on . Posted in Fruit trees, Garden & Nature.

The almond tree has been cultivated since 4000 BC. and is one of the favorite trees of Greek nature, where during the flowering season beautifies gardens and parks. It is a deciduous tree with wonderful fruits that offer many important uses. The almond tree offers its fruit cooked or raw, full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements, with special emphasis on the calcium it offers to the body. From the fruit we will get the almond oil beneficial for the skin and hair but also the almond milk, ideal for people with lactose intolerance and vegetarians.

The leaves of the almond tree are lanceolate, the root is rich and deep, while the tree can reach 12 meters of hight and is cultivated in all warm Mediterranean areas. The fruit of the almond tree is well protected, as it consists of the exocarp, the mesocarp and the endocarp.

Varieties

There are many varieties of almond tree with large or small fruit, and different flowering periods. Many varieties need cross-pollination in combination with other varieties of almond tree, while there are several that are native. Prefer almond varieties that are late to avoid destroying the flowers in frost or sharp cold.

The most well-known varieties are the following:

Of the Greek ones, the Retsou variety is the most famous, with elongated fruit shape, greedy growth and thin, fragile shell. It has a very good production consistently over time, it enters fruiting early, while its quality is excellent. It ripens in mid-September and blooms in March, a characteristic also positive for avoiding the destruction of flowers by frost. Characteristic of its fruits is the several times production of double-seeded almonds.

The Texas variety comes from the USA with medium-sized fruit, greedy growth and semi-hard shell. The fruit is widely used in confectionery, with very good taste, and a percentage of double-seeded almonds up to 20%. It matures in mid-September and blooms in March as well. This variety, like Retsu, is not self-fertile.

The Ferranduel variety, originally from France, as a result of improved varieties, with a long and wide fruit and a hard shell, has a greedy lateral growth in irrigated crops. The flowering of Ferranduel is late and resistant to cold, while it does not produce double-seeded almonds. It matures in September when it is adequately irrigated, is not a self-fertile variety and is used as a pollinator for other varieties with cross-pollination.

The Feranies variety is also a variety originating from France, with elongated and large fruit, the tree has a greedy growth, while the shell is semi-hard. It has a very nice taste and you will find it commercially for fresh consumption. The flowering of Feranies is late and does not show double-seeded almonds. It matures late and needs cross-pollination.

Self-fertile varieties are Isabelona, ​​Truoito, Tuono, Guara, Avihor, Soleta and Genco. The following stand out:

Isabelona or Bellona comes from Spain with a late bloom at the end of March and an early harvest. The fruit of Bellona is of medium size with a round shape flattened with a hard shell. The variety is widely used in confectionery with a very nice taste, while it is also used in industry with a high content of oils. It has rich production every year, disease resistance, and greedy growth.

Avihor comes from France, with greedy growth and late flowering. The fruit is narrow and long with a medium size, while the shell is semi-hard. It has an early harvest as the fruit is ready for harvest at the end of August. Avihor production is large with also high resistance to cold and disease.

The Guara variety also originates from Spain, with medium growth, and late flowering. Its fruit is medium in size while the shell is hard. It is one of the most widespread varieties in Spain, similar to Tuono. It can be planted in dense cultivation, while it blooms in the last ten days of March, high production and resistance to different soils and climates.

Soleta has moderate growth, and also late flowering. The fruit is large in size with an elliptical shape and very nice taste, while the shell is hard. It is similar to Guara. It can be planted in dense cultivation, while it blooms in the last ten days of March, with large and dense bloom. The soleta does not produce double-seeded almonds.

Proper growing conditions – climatic requirements

The almond tree prefers warm and dry climates, without much rainfall, and light, fertile, medium soils with good drainage and ventilation, always provided that it is irrigated. Frosts do not damage it in contrast to the humid climate. Nevertheless you will find the hardy almond tree even in dry, barren and stony soils but without guarantee that you will find fruit. The root system of the almond tree is deep, helping to absorb the necessary moisture from the subsoil, so it needs deep and light soils.

The cold in winter below -4 degrees, can damage the flowers, while in summer it needs the necessary moisture in the soil so that the fruit does not shrink from the prolonged heat! You will find the almond tree from low altitudes up to 1000 meters.

Watering

The almond tree in order to be able to give quality and large production, must be irrigated systematically. There are of course varieties with drought resistance, ideal for areas without a source of irrigation.

During the period when the fruits are growing, regular watering is important, especially during the period when the heat starts from June to September with more important waterings in July and August, ideally with drip irrigation to deep water and maintain soil moisture. It depends of course on climatic conditions and soil quality as a poorly drained soil should not be watered with the same frequency.

Proper watering of the almond tree, gives excellent quality fruit, greater production and faster growth of trees.

Planting

Starting from the preparation of the soil before planting, the soil should be plowed deeply so that it is light and allows the growth of the root system of the almond tree.

The almond tree should be planted from November to January, without leaves and strictly pruned depending on the size of the root system. You will also find bare root seedlings in soil balls. Bare roots create a stronger root system. Another way of planting is by placing almonds in pits where when they germinate they are transplanted and grafted with the desired variety.

Plant the seedlings in holes of size 60 * 60 where in the hole you have added the necessary fertilizer for the growth of the tree. The almond tree needs deep planting but in no case should the grafting be covered with soil. The distances depend on the variety, the soil and the watering. Ideally, distances of 6 to 8 * 4 to 6 meters are enough.

Fertilizer

Fertilization of the almond tree is important all year round, starting in January, as flowering takes place in winter and not in spring.

The three main components that the almond tree needs are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen is introduced from November to February to help better absorbtion from the soil moisture. It is needed from the beginning of planting in the pit under the roots and then it needs one handful per year of life. In January we add organic fertilizer for extra nutrition, low in nitrogen if we have already put nitrogen in the soil.

Potassium is also added to the pit when planting the almond tree, and due to its ability to be stored underground, it needs to be added every two years to each almond tree! The same goes for phosphorus, it needs to be repeated every 2 years, while it is important for the proper development of the root system.

Additional elements that help in the growth, flowering and fruiting of the almond tree, are the trace elements of zinc and boron which can also be sprayed on foliage, while in calcareous soils there is a lack of iron where the almond tree needs extra.

Pollination and fertilization

The almond tree, depending on the variety and the climate, blooms from the end of January until the end of March. Flowering lasts from 2 to 15 days, while the majority of the classic almond varieties are self-sterile and cross-pollination is necessary. The bee is the most important pollinating insect, where in the winter when the almond tree blooms the work for it is very hard.

For every 3 almond trees from varieties that need cross-pollination, a pollinating variety is needed. It is also important that the flowering range of the different varieties coincides so that pollination can take place. Few almond varieties are self-pollinated, so they need multiple pollination to produce fruit, and at least two trees are needed.

Almond harvest for better preservation

You will understand that the almonds are ripe when the pericarp is opened lengthwise. The fruits ripen from the outside of the tree to the inside. It is important that the fruit begins to be harvested after opening the pericarp in all the almonds. Depending on the variety, the harvest season starts at the end of August and ends at the end of September.

The almond harvest is similar to that of the olive as nets are inserted under the trees and the fruits are streaked. The almonds are then peeled and dried in the sun or in a dryer. When drying is done naturally the process should take at least a week, with frequent stirring and protection from rain and humidity.

Professional crops are harvested using special vibrators that are applied to the trunk of the tree and shake the fruit, saving time and labor especially in large crops.

Pruning

Almond pruning is divided into shaping pruning and fruiting pruning. The pruning period should be from November to January so that the new vegetation has not started and should be pruned every year.

In the young trees we carry out the shaping or formation pruning, where we give the shape we want to the tree. In almond trees, the cup-shaped shape is preferred, with 3 or 4 main arms. Proper pruning will help the tree to enter fruiting age sooner, while ideally the height should start from 80 cm so as not to prevent soil plowing, fertilization and harvesting.

In the mature trees we carry out fruiting pruning, in order to maintain the shape and the unobstructed ventilation and sunbathing inside the tree. At the same time, the renewal of the fruiting branches, the thinning and the removal of dry or infected branches are important. Systematic pruning also helps maintain the tree at a height that facilitates fruit harvesting, as it should be.

The balance of the tree is important for good fruiting, so large vegetation prevents fruiting and large fruiting prevents vegetation. It is important in pruning to achieve balance for healthy fruits and tree. You will distinguish the buds from the different shape, as the spherical buds are the flowering ones while the conical buds are the woody ones.

Proliferation

As we mention in the planting of the almond tree, the propagation is carried out by planting almonds in pits. When they germinate, we select the most robust ones and transplant them, while in the process we graft with the desired varieties. Grafting is done in adult trees. The main subjects of almond tree are almond and peach.

Enemies and diseases

The almond tree is a sensitive tree to diseases. It is important to protect before the treatment is needed as most treatments require more than 1 spray during the flowering period, making pollination dangerous for bees. Ideally the ground around the trees should be kept free of weeds to avoid infections.

The best known diseases of the almond tree are: Screening, Anthracnose, Almond borers, Bacterial stain, Red and yellow almond spider, Dried almond tree, Ocher stain, Monilia

Monilia is a fungal disease that affects all the aerial parts of the tree, from leaves and buds to flowers and fruits. It causes necrosis and dryness, while the leaves appear burned by the cold. Copper solutions treat monilia. Ask about herbal remedies for environmental protection. There are ecological preparations.
Most of these diseases infect the foliage of the almond tree causing wilting and then the destruction of the foliage, or the premature fall of the leaves and the fruit.

The phases of the Moon in gardening

Written by AdMHaGr on . Posted in Fruit trees, Garden & Nature, Herbs, Vegetable garden.

The moon is an important element from antiquity, based on which, the diferent seasons, sowing, harvest, successful fishing, collection of medicinal herbs and the preparation of medicines were calculated. The phases of the moon were important and its relationship to the tide had been observed since antiquity but was scientifically substantiated by Newton.

In agriculture, even the traditional producers watch the moon to know when the weather will change, when is the right time to start the different agricultural processes to have a successful result! From whatever point of view we look at the moon, it is a given that it has a strong influence on the earth, either due to gravitational pull, or energetically, or spiritually, as everyone wishes to perceive and accept it as a phenomenon. Pruning, fertilizing, planting, grafting, collecting aboveground parts and rhizomes, transplanting, sowing and even weeding are related to the phases of the moon!

So starting with the basics so that we can properly monitor the moon and regulate the work of herbs and gardening, we start with the basics: the moon to make a complete circle around the earth, goes through four phases. The new moon, the waxing cresent, the full moon and the waning cresent.

Traditionally, during the waxing period, it is an ideal phase to plant, decorate the garden, add fertilizer and collect fruits, flowers and leaves, ie the aboveground parts of plants and trees. At the same time, it is a suitable period for the preparation of herbal medicines. It is the period when the plant will give the maximum of its healing properties, the higher percentages of essential oil and the fruits will be juicier.

In the period of the waning cresent in turn, the juice of the plants that during the filling went up, goes down to the root. It is a good time to plant seeds and bulbs, to transplant, to graft, to weed, to clean the garden, to prune our trees and plants without injuring them or to leave their sap exposed. It is also a good time to collect roots for healing purposes and to successfully dry herbs.

In short, we collect, strengthen and plant the plants in the waxing cresent and store, sow and clean in the waning cresent, with the sole exception of the roots that are collected in the waning cresent.

In the new moon and the full moon, that is, the phases when the sun aligns with the moon and the earth, we have a tide. We avoid work on this day that mainly has to do with pruning and transplanting but also the preparation of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Traditionally, of course, they are the ideal days to make medicines, especially the new moon, but there is a risk of failure or exaggeration. A day after the new moon and a day before the full moon are ideal.

In second phase, it is important to keep in mind the purposes for which we collect the herbs in order to have the appropriate results. Herbs that we collect for detoxification, cleansing and weight loss, are best collected during the waning cresent. While during the waxing cresent, we collect the herbs we want for nutrition, hydration, energy.

In order to be able to observe the moon there is a basic rule: The from the new moon to the full moon, is 14 – 15 days, while the same applies from the full moon to the new moon. The new moon rises at dawn and therefore is not visible. The first quarter at noon, the full moon at sunset and the last quarter at midnight.

So once we understand the impact on agriculture during the waning cresent and the waxing cresent, we can move on to the constellations through which the moon passes and in which constellations is it ideal to deal with our garden and our herbs.

The moon, rotating around the earth, it aligns every about 2 days with a zodiac sign. Filtering the constellation its characteristics through the moon.

Moon in Aries & gemini: ideal day for plowing, weeding, disinfestation, harvest. In the aries an extra positive is that the seed that will be planted will germinate faster. In general, the signs of air and fire are considered fruitless, making them ideal only for cleaning. Prefer when the moon is in the waning cresent.

Moon in Taurus: in all the signs of the earth the moon is very productive. In taurus it is ideal for planting and collecting radishes, carrots, potatoes, onions, leeks and generally rhizomes. The same applies to the planting of bulbs such as hyacinths, daffodils, dahlias, freesias, gladiolus, etc. This is not a good day for hard gardening!

Moon in Cancer: Due to the relationship of the zodiac sign with the Moon, Cancer is one of the most fertile signs. When the moon passes through the constellation of Cancer, it is the best phase to plant. Especially plants that have a high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, melon. It is also a good day for watering and grafting.

Moon in Leo: may not be a good day for planting, but it is an ideal day for changes in the garden, decoration and landscaping.

Moon in Virgo: ideal day for cleaning the gardens, adding fertilizers and a very good day for beekeepers.

Moon in Libra: the artistic and feminine nature of libra, is good for planting, transplanting and picking flowers and ornamental plants. It is also a good day to pick herbs and make herbal cosmetics!

Moon in Scorpio: a very fertile sign for successful grafting, pruning and transplanting, while it is a sign that strengthens the roots if you decide to feed your plants with a moon in Scorpio.

Moon in Sagittarius: like the previous fire signs, Sagittarius is not considered a good sign for planting but has one exception, fruit trees.

Moon in Capricorn: is a productive sign, suitable for growing and planting perennials, trees, roots and vines. The important thing with a moon in Capricorn, is that the plants will last for years while the fertilization will be done slowly and correctly.

Moon in Aquarius: it is not a suitable day for gardening as it is considered a male and fruitless sign.

Moon in Pisces: in all water signs as well as in Pisces it is a very fertile period. Ideal for planting hydrophilic plants, while it is a good phase for grafting, fertilizing, and vigorous pruning.

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