Planting cherries. Conditions for planting cherries. Growing cherries in the middle lane How to form cherries in the middle lane

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Sweet cherry is one of the earliest stone fruit crops. Its fruits are distinguished by a sweet and rich taste, as well as a variety of colors - from creamy yellow and pale pink to burgundy, almost black. How to grow cherries in a summer cottage?

It is impossible not to note the decorativeness of the tree itself, in spring it is covered with snow-white flowers, exuding a light aroma of almonds, and in autumn it glows with golden-crimson foliage. In addition, sweet cherry is an excellent honey plant, its flowers are eagerly visited by bees, bumblebees and other insects.

Selection of planting material

When choosing a seedling, pay special attention to its appearance. The height of an annual plant should be at least 100 cm, and the bark should be smooth (wrinkling is not allowed), without root shoots and mechanical damage. The seedling must have a vertical or close to vertical trunk. The root system must be well developed and have at least 3 roots longer than 20 cm.

If you buy a seedling in the spring, make sure that it does not have frozen bark and root cambium (frozen tissues are brown on the cut). A high-quality seedling does not have a thorn on the rootstock, bark burns reaching the wood, as well as the presence of leaves.

As you know, the best choice of seedlings is in the fall. However, spring planting is preferred for cherries. Therefore, it is better to dig in the purchased seedlings for the winter. To do this, place them in a hole 30-40 cm deep at an angle of 30-45 ° C with crowns to the south. Then cover most of the seedlings (2/3) with earth, compacting it at the roots and stems so that there are no voids, and water a little.

When buying a sweet cherry seedling, pay attention to the presence of buds on the stems (for sweet cherries, they stick out, swell by mid-April and can easily break off during transportation). If they are not there, it is better not to take such seedlings - dormant buds do not wake up near the sweet cherry, and seedlings without buds, as a rule, die.

Cherry planting

It is best to plant sweet cherries 3-5 days after the soil has completely thawed (before the buds swell). Dig a hole 70-80 cm wide and 50-60 cm deep. Pour the top fertile layer of soil into it with a mound, mixed with 15-30 kg of compost or rotted manure, 200 g of superphosphate and 60 g of potassium salt. Fresh manure, nitrogen fertilizers, lime are not recommended.

Plant the seedling so that the root neck is at the level of the soil, taking into account its subsidence by 2-5 cm. Then pour a roller from the ground around it, water well (2 buckets of water per plant) and mulch with peat or humus.

Most varieties of sweet cherry have a slight self-fertility (1-5%). Therefore, if you want to get a stable high yield, take care of a pollinator variety (good pollinators are Iput, Gastinets, Northern). And one more important point. The fact is that the pollen of sweet cherries is very "heavy" and cannot be spread by the wind. Pollination occurs only through insects. The need for pollinating varieties does not mean at all that several trees of different varieties should grow on the site. If other varieties of cherries grow in neighboring areas, then you will not have problems with pollination.

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A rare summer resident of central Russia does not try to plant at least one cherry tree on his site, even knowing that this culture is very whimsical and capricious. When it is possible to harvest, it is said about the skill of the owner, and if the berries were not waited for, then they usually appeal to the fact that the role of the cherry was reduced solely to pollination of cherries growing nearby.

Cherry varieties for central Russia

The concept of the middle zone of Russia is conditional and does not coincide with the division into regions adopted in the State Register of the Russian Federation. It covers the North-West region (with the exception of the Kaliningrad region), the Central and Central Black Earth, as well as almost the entire Volga-Vyatka and Middle Volga regions. The climate in such a territory is heterogeneous, but in general it is characterized by warm, rather humid weather in summer and moderately cold snowy winters. Average temperatures range from -12 o C in winter to +21 o C in summer.

I. V. Michurin made the first scientific attempts to adapt the southern culture to new conditions. The bred sweet cherry became the foundation for further breeding work to create new cold-resistant varieties. The variety of obtained types of cherries allows us to classify them according to many characteristics, primarily by the color of the fruit.

Yellow cherry varieties

Cherry fruits are colored in red, yellow, pink and orange. Sweet cherries with yellow berries are not as picky about climatic conditions as their relatives, therefore they are more adapted to grow and bear fruit in the climatic conditions of the middle zone, where severe winters are not uncommon.

Drogana yellow

Drogana yellow - an old variety with amber large fruits. Their average weight is about 6–7 g, some reach 8 g. The taste of berries is sweet, dessert, but they are poorly transported.

Drogan cherry yellow is suitable for compotes and jams, but not for freezing, after defrosting the shape of the berries is not preserved

The fruits of Drogana yellow ripen by the end of June or July, do not fall off. Trees are productive from 4–5 years old and bear fruit for another 20 years. Productivity is stable, up to 30 kg per tree.

The variety is self-infertile, pollinating cherries are Denissen yellow, Gaucher. It is frost-resistant and, thanks to late blossoming, does not suffer from returning frosts. Approved for cultivation in the Lower Volga and North Caucasus regions, but through the efforts of gardeners, it has successfully expanded the distribution zone.

Drogana yellow tolerates drought well, and in rainy summers, the skin of the fruit cracks and is affected by fruit rot. Cherry fly also does not leave Drogana berries unattended. However, cherries are not exposed to fungal diseases.

Leningrad yellow

Leningradskaya yellow - a common late-ripening cherry, the berries ripen at the end of August. The skin is honey-yellow, the pulp is moderately tart, but sweet and juicy. The fruits weigh 3.4 g.

Cherry berries Leningrad yellow do not deteriorate, do not lose their taste and appearance within two weeks after harvest

On average, it gives 15 kg from one tree. Winter-hardy. It is immune to bacterial rot, does not suffer from pests, including fruit fly damage.

Self-infertile. It is pollinated by varieties Leningradskaya black or Leningradskaya pink. These three types of cherries were obtained at the Pavlovsk experimental station of VIR, located near St. Petersburg. The station's pomologists have created winter-hardy varieties of sweet cherries that are successfully cultivated in the North-West region, although they are not formally included in the State Register.

Oryol amber

Oryol amber - early-ripening cherries, berry picking begins in the second half of June. The fruits are intense yellow with a slight blush, weighing 5.6 g. The pulp is dense, juicy, sweet. Cherries are most often consumed fresh.

The berries of the Oryol amber have a very thin skin that attracts bees, besides, ripened fruits are prone to shedding

From the age of 4, the Oryol amber bears fruit, increasing its yield every year. From one adult tree, you can collect up to 33–35 kg of berries. Needs pollinators, Vityaz, Iput, Gostinets, Severnaya and Ovstuzhenka varieties are suitable.

The variety is not included in the State Register. It grows in the Central Black Earth and Middle Volga regions.

Homestead yellow

Homestead yellow was obtained at the end of the 20th century. Rounded ruddy berries weigh an average of 5.5 g. The pulp is pleasantly cartilaginous, sweet, with a slight sourness.

Home garden yellow is not intended for cultivation on an industrial scale, because it is poorly stored and transported

It blooms early and gives an early harvest, which begins to be harvested in the second half of June. Regular fruiting from the sixth year without the participation of pollinators. The yield is up to 15 kg per tree.

The advantages of this variety include high frost resistance. Homestead yellow zoned in the Central Black Earth region.

Chermashnaya

Chermashnaya - medium-sized, early-ripening and early-growing cherries. The berries are round, yellow, some develop a blush. The taste is dessert, sweet and sour (sweetness is more pronounced, sourness is barely perceptible). The average fruit weight is up to 4.5 g. Berries are consumed fresh.

Chermashnaya cherry is transportable both for close and long distances, the main thing is to harvest in dry weather and tear off the berries along with the tails

The variety is productive, gives up to 30 kg of berries from one tree. When planting two-year-old seedlings, they are harvested after four years. Self-infertile. As pollinators, the varieties Fatezh, Crimean, Bryansk pink, Iput, Leningrad black or Chocolate cherry are recommended.

Chermashnaya is resistant to fungal stone fruit diseases. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

Winter-hardy varieties of cherries

In unstable winter weather, when colds are replaced by periods of thaw, wood is affected near the cherry, frost cracks appear. And return spring frosts are detrimental to the kidneys, because of which the crop suffers. Breeders managed to develop varieties of sweet cherries that are resistant to cold by buds and wood. In addition to the yellow-fruited Leningradskaya and Homestead, it is worth remembering a few more winter-hardy varieties.

Veda

Veda - late cherry. The fruits are flattened-heart-shaped, medium-sized. Weight - a little more than 5 g. Under the ruby ​​skin lies juicy tender flesh. The yield of the variety is up to 25 kg per tree. Fruits in 4-5 years. The State Register recommends growing in the Central Region.

To improve the pollination of any sweet cherry, including the Veda variety, during the flowering period, you can spray the branches with water with honey or sugar, bees will flock to the sweet

Bryansk pink

Bryansk pink - very late cherry. The berries are round, coral. The veins show through the thick skin. Cartilaginous elastic pulp of rich sweet taste. Fruit weight - 4.5 g. Needs pollinators, the best varieties are Iput, Ovstuzhenka, Revna, Tyutchevka. The average yield is 20 kg per tree. The trees are early-growing, winter-hardy, not susceptible to coccomycosis. Sweet cherry Bryansk pink is included in the State Register for the Central Region.

100 g of any sweet cherry, for example, the Bryanskaya pink variety, contains 14–15 mg of vitamin C (the daily norm for an adult is 70–100 mg)

and the way

Iput - a variety of sweet cherries with dark pomegranate-colored fruits. Heart berries weigh an average of 5 g, although the weight can reach up to 10 g. The peel in conditions of excessive moisture cracks. The pulp is dense, dark red, sweet and juicy.

Iput blooms early and gives an early harvest. Fruiting from 4-5 years. The average yield is 20 kg per tree, twice as much in good years. Gives a crop only in the vicinity of pollinators. Varieties Revna, Bryansk pink, Tyutchevka are suitable for pollination.

Winter-hardy, not affected by fungal diseases. Cherry Iput is included in the State Register and approved for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region.

For Iput cherries, breeders chose a name that seems strange to many, and the name is given in honor of the river flowing through the Bryansk region

Odrinka

Odrinka is a late sweet cherry with round, dark red berries with a rich taste. The maximum fruit weight is 7.5 g, on average they weigh 5.4 g. Blooms late and produces a medium late crop. Begins fruiting at 5 years old. Productivity - 25 kg from a tree. Self-infertile, the best pollinators are Ovstuzhenka, Rechitsa, Revna. Winter-hardy, not susceptible to fungal diseases. In the State Register for the Central Region.

In addition to other advantages, any sweet cherry, like the Odrinka variety, is very decorative - in spring it is covered with fragrant flowering, in summer - with juicy fruits.

Revna

Revna - medium late cherry. Flattened-rounded fruits weigh no more than 5 g, although some are almost 8 g. The skin is red to black in mature berries. The pulp is dark, dense, juicy, excellent in taste. Revna bears fruit from 5 years. Partially self-fertile, the best pollinators for this sweet cherry are Ovstuzhenka, Tyutchevka, Raditsa, Iput. When adjacent to other varieties, the average yield is 25 kg per tree, and the maximum reaches 30 kg. Shows winter hardiness and resistance to fungal pathology. The variety is included in the State Register for the Central Region.

pink pearl

The berries of winter-hardy cherries Pink pearls are not very large, weighing an average of 5.4 g. According to the taste characteristics, the fruits are pleasant, they are characterized by sweetness. The variety tolerates temperature changes, is drought-resistant and at the same time actively bears fruit. The first harvest appears in the 5th or 6th year, and the first berries appear in mid-July. The indicator relative to one mature plant reaches 13–18 kg. The variety is self-infertile and needs pollinators. For this purpose, the varieties of sweet cherries Michurinka or Michurinskaya late, Adelina, Ovstuzhenka, Plaziya, Rechitsa are used. It is on state variety testing.

To enhance pollination and attract insects, next to any cherry, including the Pink Pearl variety, you can plant honey herbs: lemon balm, mint, oregano

Fatezh

Fatezh is a dessert variety of sweet cherry. The berries are small, round, medium early ripening, weigh 4.5 g. The skin is red or red-yellow. The pulp is juicy, has a cartilaginous structure and a pale pink color. The taste is sweet with sourness. Fruits are well transported. The variety is self-fertile, Chermashnaya, Iput, Bryansk pink are recommended as the best pollinators for it. In the neighborhood of pollinators, it gives up to 35 kg of yield from one tree. Resistant to fungal diseases and frost-resistant. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

Fatezh sweet cherry is a recognized pollinator for almost all other sweet cherry varieties, with the exception of undersized ones.

Often, gardeners increase the winter hardiness of sweet cherries by grafting. In this case, the seedlings retain the characteristics of the selected varieties, while showing resistance to cold and disease due to the hardy rootstock.

undersized sweet cherry

In small garden plots, tall cherry trees with a spreading crown cause a lot of trouble. Breeders offer varieties with limited growth, convenient for care and harvesting. Such cherries are called dwarf or columnar. Fruiting in such trees occurs earlier than in tall cherries, sometimes even in the year of grafting. However, it is recommended to cut off the flowers of the first year.

In fact, these trees are an overgrown central conductor 2–3 m high with short skeletal and bouquet branches. . To facilitate care and limit the growth of trees, it is also practiced to form sweet cherries in the form of a bush, in several trunks. Due to the structural features, compact seedlings take up less space on the site, they are planted closer. Often columnar trees need additional support.

Dwarf trees, more than other types of sweet cherries, are demanding on external conditions, they need a lot of illumination of the site, the absence of wind and sudden changes in temperature. In addition, they do not tolerate watering flaws and are not drought tolerant.

Seedlings of dwarf trees retain maternal properties, therefore, not only grafting is used for reproduction, but also planting seeds. As a rule, seedlings obtained from stones adapt better to the local climate.

Dwarf trees look advantageous in small areas due to their unusual shape and dense flowering. Often self-fertile, and the taste is not inferior to large-sized ones. There are not so many varieties that can survive harsh winters. Most often, suppliers offer Helena, Sylvia and Little Sylvia, Black Columnar cherries. The variety Sam is proposed as a pollinator, catching up with large trees in height.

Photo gallery: columnar varieties of cherries

Columnar trees can be planted close to each other, at a distance of 1-2 m Cherry varieties Helena can tolerate cold, but it is better to create additional protection for the winter so that it does not die Sylvia sweet cherry is a very valuable industrial variety suitable for transportation and storage under normal conditions up to 7 days The Little Sylvia variety retains all its properties for several weeks if stored in the refrigerator. Pruning is not needed for undersized varieties of sweet cherries, like the Black Columnar, they themselves stretch upwards Sam cherries have the highest resistance to fruit cracking of all sweet cherries, and are therefore valued in regions with high rainfall.

Cherries with large fruits

As a rule, large-fruited cherries grow in warm regions, are prone to various diseases, and do not tolerate cold and temperature fluctuations. In particular, this is the yellow Drogana already described above - its fruits reach 8 g. There are other varieties that are worth talking about.

It can be noted winter-hardy, the weight of the berries of which is within 8 g. These dark, sweet berries with a slight sourness have one drawback: with excessive humidity or temperature changes, the skin of the fruit cracks. Due to this, quality and transportability deteriorate. In the presence of pollinators (varieties Iput, Ovstuzhenka, Tyutchevka), the Bull's heart is capable of producing up to 40 kg of berries from one tree. The berries ripen by the end of June. It is grown mainly in the southern Black Earth region.

Cherry berries Bull's heart gives one of the largest among all varieties, but they do not tolerate transportation well and immediately burst (because the pulp is very juicy)

Some gardeners cut off up to a third of the flowers to increase the size of the fruit, artificially reducing the number of ovaries. In this case, the remaining berries receive more nutrition and develop better.

Self-fertile cherries

Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the flower, the sweet cherry is mainly a cross-pollinated plant. Most varieties of sweet cherries are self-fertile, however, self-pollinating cherries also exist.

The berries of the Narodnaya Syubarova sweet cherry reach a weight of 5–7 g. This is an example of an unpretentious sweet cherry that grows on any soil and in almost any climate. Despite the cold snowy winters and strong winds, in the second half of July, bright scarlet berries ripen on sweet cherries. Up to 40-50 kg of crop is harvested from a tree and without the presence of other varieties. Not included in the State Register. Distributed in the Crimea and the Volgograd region, but gardeners manage to expand the cultivation area of ​​Narodnaya Syubarova due to the unpretentiousness and winter hardiness of the variety.

Self-fertile sweet cherry Narodnaya Syubarova, like other self-fertile crops, in the presence of pollinators will bring more fruit

Partially self-fertile varieties include the early medium Ovstuzhenka, whose average berry weight is 4 g. The berries are dark cherry in color, medium-sized, slightly elongated, with dark sweet pulp. Without pollinating trees, berries form only 10% of the flowers. The best neighbors are Iput, Raditsa, Bryansk pink. Productive variety (up to 20 kg per tree). Ovstuzhenka is not affected by coccomycosis and is resistant to cold, enduring frosts down to -40 ° C without damage. In the State Register for the Central Region.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka does not like weeds very much, it is necessary to weed the near-trunk circle in a timely manner, annually increasing it by 50 cm

There are other partially self-fertile varieties, for example, Revna, but it also bears fruit better in the presence of pollinators. Without neighborhood with other varieties, 5–10% of flowers are tied.

Early cherry

Cherry begins to bear fruit at 5-6 years. Cherries Iput, Veda bear fruit from 4-5 years. The four-year-olds of the Oryol Amber and Chermashnaya are not inferior to Adeline in terms of yield. But there are also champions.

There is a sweet cherry that yields a crop already in the third year after planting. This is the Orlovskaya pink variety, the flattened-rounded berries of which are even, with an average weight of 3.5 g. The skin and flesh are pink. Tastes sweet with mild sourness. Productivity of a grade - 20 kg from a tree. Self-infertile, pollinating varieties - Vityaz, Iput, Gostinets, Severnaya and Ovstuzhenka. Its advantage is resistance to fungal diseases and precocity. Approved by the State Register for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region.

The Orlovskaya pink cherry variety surpasses all varieties in terms of frost resistance: after testing with severe frost, the tree continued to bear fruit

Adelina is a little behind the Oryol rose, giving the first harvest for the 4th year. The variety is mid-season. Heart-shaped berries are painted in ruby ​​color. The average weight of Adelina fruits is within 5.5 g. The pulp is juicy, cartilaginous structure. Due to the dense texture of the pulp, the fruits are perfectly transportable. Self-infertile variety, the best neighbors will be varieties Poetry and Rechitsa. The yield is low, a little more than 20 kg per tree. Included in the State Register for the Central Black Earth Region.

If you want to protect the entire already small crop of Adeline cherries from birds, then the nets that cover the trees can help.

Sweet cherry varieties

The sweetest cherry for the middle lane:

• Adeline;
• Bryansk pink;
• Iway;
• Revna;
• Ovstuzhenka;
• Chermashnaya.

In addition to these varieties, it is worth mentioning the mid-season Tyutchevka cherries, the fruits of which are dark red, juicy, dense, weighing 5.3 g. It needs pollinators, the varieties Bryansk pink, Iput, Ovstuzhenka, Raditsa, Revna are recommended. In a typical year, 25 kg is harvested per tree. An excellent cold hardy and disease resistant cherry. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

Sweet cherry variety Tyutchevka Sweet cherry has good resistance to many diseases, but can be affected by coccomycosis and clasterosporiasis

Features of planting and growing cherries in central Russia

When planting cherries, it is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the region, the composition and level of soil acidity, as well as the varietal characteristics of the cherries themselves. According to I. V. Michurin, the variety ensures the success of the business.

Cherry prefers to grow in warm, lit areas, protected from penetrating winds. It does not tolerate stagnant water and acidic soils, therefore, before planting trees, the soil is deoxidized by adding 3–5 kg of dolomite flour to the planting pit for these purposes. All stone fruits love light soils, so sand is added to the soil mixture to improve its composition (in proportion to dolomite flour), and limestone crushed stone is poured into the bottom of the pit to improve drainage and provide the sweet cherry with calcium.

Seedlings are purchased from reliable suppliers or large nurseries. Check the condition of the kidneys and root system. The buds must be awakened, and the root system developed and completely cover the container.

It is preferable to purchase containerized sweet cherry seedlings, since the closed root system is not injured during transportation and is subjected to less stress during planting.

Prepare a place on the site in advance. The projection area of ​​the crown corresponds to the prevalence of the roots, so more space is left for high varieties. In addition, the need for pollinators is taken into account. Planting holes are dug at a distance of 3-4 meters from each other. For planting one seedling:

1. Dig a hole with a diameter of 80 cm and a depth of up to 70 cm.
2. Separate the top fertile layer.
3. Crushed stone is poured to the bottom for drainage.
4. Dolomite flour and sand (1:1) are mixed with their own fertile soil layer, adding organic matter (humus, compost or peat in equal amounts), and fall asleep back.
5. The planting stake is fixed and a seedling is placed nearby so that the root collar rises above the soil level.
6. Tie the tree to a stake.
7. Compact the earth around the seedling, forming an irrigation hole.
8. Water abundantly (up to 3-4 liters of water).
9. To reduce the evaporation of moisture, cover the trunk circle with mulch.

Sweet cherries are characterized by intensive growth, so it is advisable to immediately cut the central conductor to a height of 50–60 cm in order to form a tiered crown in the future. If the skeletal branches are already formed, then cut them so that they are shorter than the trunk.

The formation of a sparse-tiered crown provides the plant with optimal development

When planting, organic fertilizers are applied so that the soil under the trees is not fertilized in the next few years. Further watering of seedlings is carried out if necessary. Excessive soil moisture leads to rotting of the roots, and during the period of fruit ripening - to their cracking. Important periods for watering sweet cherries are the time of flowering and the formation of the ovary, immediately after harvest and a month before the expected permanent cold weather (early or mid-October). The rest of the time, cherries are watered based on the characteristics of the climate.

Video: planting cherries

It is recommended to prophylactically treat cherry seedlings with a 1% solution of copper sulphate or Bordeaux mixture in early spring to prevent fungal diseases. If necessary, repeat the procedure before flowering.

Regular pruning is carried out in early spring in order to remove damaged branches and form the crown correctly. Weak, thickening, inward-growing, criss-crossing branches are removed, thereby indirectly regulating flowering and ensuring yield.

In autumn, it is recommended to whitewash not only the trunks, but also the main skeletal shoots to protect the bark from frost cracks. In the early years, it is recommended to cover the seedlings before the winter cold by wrapping the trunks with corrugated cardboard or other material in order to protect the plantings from rodents.

Cherry is a fairly common crop in Russia in general and in the middle lane - in particular. This is the oldest variety of cherry. In modern conditions, dozens of varieties have been bred with different size, taste and color of berries, crown height and spreading, and fruit ripening periods.

When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to its zoning, since southern varieties will freeze or dry out in colder climates with high snow cover. Therefore, before going to the nursery, you should pay attention to some points:

• Frost resistance. The higher it is, the better.
• short stature. Such plants are less likely to freeze and higher yields.
• Late flowering period. It allows you to get away from the return of the cold.
• self-fertility. Such varieties do not need to be pollinated, therefore, the harvest is guaranteed even when planting one plant.

Taking into account all the factors, you can decide on the variety.

and the way

A tree of medium height (4-5 m) pyramidal in shape with a dense crown. Thick short petioles with three or four white flowers. Flowering early. Fruits of universal purpose up to 9 g (considered large), glossy, burgundy to black. Juicy, sweet flesh.

Self-infertile, productive (up to 30 kg) variety resistant to fungal infections.

Lapins

A variety of Canadian selection with low frost resistance, productive with simultaneous ripening of fruits that do not fall off for a long time. The fruits are large - up to 8 g, transportable.

With enhanced agricultural technology, they reach 13 g. Orange-red color and dense pulp. A variety with great growth power, highly productive, self-fertile, late-ripening. Fruiting begins at the end of July. Versatile berries.

Leningrad black

The height of the tree usually does not exceed four meters. The crown is spreading. In conditions of good agricultural technology, fruiting can occur in the third year after planting a seedling.

Maroon berries (up to 6 g) do not fall for a long time, ripen in July, the separation is dry. Used for processing, freezing and fresh.

Summit

The variety is frost-resistant, early-growing. Berries (10 g) with wine aftertaste. Transportable. Good fresh and processed. The variety is used for cross-pollination of many types of cherries.

Poetry

Tree up to 3 m with a pyramidal crown. Yellow fruits (6 g) with dense creamy pulp. The taste is sweet and sour. Average winter hardiness and drought resistance. The yield is high, the quality of the berries is excellent.

In addition to these varieties, cherry varieties are grown in the middle lane, presented in the table:

Video review of fruitful varieties of cherries

When to plant cherries

Spring planting is practiced in Siberian regions with a sharply continental climate - short summers and long, harsh winters. In the conditions of the middle zone, where the climate is temperate, more humid and warm, cherry seedlings are planted in autumn - in September-October.

This period is considered the most optimal, since the task of the gardener is to allow the seedling to take root well and go into the winter before the start of the growing season (growth and development). If the deadline for autumn planting is missed, then you have to wait for spring. For this period, the seedlings are dug in a shallow trench with a slope of 45 degrees before the onset of warm days. In winter, so that they do not freeze, you need to periodically throw snow on them, and cover them with plywood, boards, and non-woven material from sunburn. Polyethylene should not be used, in order to avoid spring damping.

If it is necessary to save several shoots, they are tied up in 4-5 pieces and placed in the groove with the upper part to the south, the roots - to the deeper part, to the north.

The advantages of autumn planting cherries in the middle lane:

• During this period, there is no need for frequent watering, as it rains quite enough.
• Seedlings are sold fresh, dug up recently. They still retained not dried young roots and leaves, which can be used to determine the condition of the seedling, the presence or absence of infections.
• Large selection and relatively cheap.

And, finally, in the autumn the gardener has more free time than in the spring.

How to choose and plant cherries

Before purchasing, you need to decide in advance whether this will be a root plant or on a stock. If the second option, then when buying, you need to find the place of vaccination - it has a pronounced thickening just above the root collar.

In addition, the tree must have a main conductor, which will later become the main trunk, and pruning will be done with an eye on it. If there is no central conductor, then a highly branched plant will be obtained with a high risk of breaking the crown during the fruiting period.

The root system should have a length of 15 cm, be moist and without obvious damage. Seedlings are better to choose annual or biennial.

Immediately before planting, the plant is once again inspected to identify any shortcomings and:

• remove "soaked" roots;
• trim very long root endings;
• cut those roots that do not fit in the planting hole;
• cut off the remaining foliage.

In no case should you cut the branches, only if they broke during transportation.

If there are dried roots, they are placed in water for several hours (from 2 to 10) before planting so that they are saturated with moisture.

When the seedlings have been sorted out, you need to determine a favorable place for planting cherries. It should be a well-lit area, protected from the north wind.

Sweet cherry does not "like" low-lying areas with a high occurrence of groundwater, clay and acidic peat soil.

Best of all, she "feels" on loams, sandy loams with good aeration.

The landing site is carefully dug up with the removal of weeds, leveled with a rake. landing pits
are planned at a distance of 4-5 meters from each other. Their diameter and depth is 80-90 cm. When the cherry orchard is planned and the pits are ready, they add:

• humus - 3 buckets;
• ash - 1 l;
• superphosphate - 0.2 kg;
• potash fertilizers - 0.1 kg.

In addition, with clay soil, a bucket of sand is poured into the pit, with sandy soil - a bucket of clay. Mix everything with a shovel and form a small mound in the center for convenient placement of the roots.

Nitrogen fertilizers are not applied during autumn planting to avoid premature growth.

You can start landing. First, a support peg is stuck into the pit, then the seedling is placed strictly vertically and the roots are carefully spread along the slopes of the mound. It is necessary to ensure that the root neck and place the scion (if any) was 3 cm above the ground. The roots are sprinkled with soil, periodically shaking the tree. When the process is half completed, a bucket of water is poured into the pit and the planting is completed. The earth around is carefully rammed.

Then, they tie the plant to the support and, stepping back from the trunk 30 cm around the circumference, make a small depression into which another bucket of water is poured. It is advisable to mulch the landing site with rotted sawdust or compost. If after a few days the soil settles, then it should be poured to the general level.

How to care for cherries

Cherry care after planting is practically not required:

• The main thing is to protect it from rodents, frostbite, dampness and sunburn. To do this, the trunk should be whitewashed, wrapped with burlap and pesticides decomposed. In cold winters, it is better to cover with snow.
• In the spring, when the snow melts, the trunk and skeletal branches are whitened - to reflect the sun's rays and to prevent diseases.
• During the growing season, sweet cherry requires watering 1-2 times a month: a young one needs 2 buckets, an adult - 5-6 buckets of water.
• The first 2-3 years in the spring, only nitrogen fertilizers are applied - they stimulate the growth of branches and green mass.
• Starting from the 4th year, a complete mineral complex is introduced.

The soil under the trees can be mulched, sod or kept under black fallow.

Pruning and shaping cherries

One of the mandatory procedures for caring for sweet cherries is its pruning and tree formation. It allows you to achieve regular abundant harvests. Incorrect implementation of these measures inevitably leads to the weakening and death of the plant.

Spring pruning of skeletal branches before the start of sap flow is preferable, since they are clearly visible, and with the onset of a warm period, there is no risk of freezing. The wounds heal quickly.

For the middle lane, the optimal time for the procedure is the end of March-beginning of April. In autumn, after leaf fall and until October, sanitary pruning is carried out and the crown is thinned.

Young seedlings begin to form from the first year when they reach 50-55 cm. If the trees have not yet grown to this height, then pruning is postponed for the next year. So:

It is not allowed to remove skeletal branches if they have active buds.

With the implementation of all agricultural practices and with the correct formation of sweet cherry from year to year, it will delight with its flowering and abundant harvests.

Sweet cherries are valued by gardeners for their high yield and unsurpassed taste of berries. This culture is considered by many to be too demanding on growing conditions, but this is a delusion. In order for sweet cherry to develop well and bear fruit abundantly, planting and caring for which are described in detail in our material, you just need to choose the right variety, protect it from frost and ensure timely watering and fertilizer.

The cherry is the closest relative of the cherry. Thanks to new, cold-resistant varieties, it is possible to grow sweet cherries in central Russia and the northern regions, despite the southern origin of the crop.

Choice of cherry seedling

For planting on the site, you should pick up several varieties of cherries at once for cross-pollination. In the middle lane and the Moscow region, good yields are given by such varieties: Cheremashnaya, Krymskaya, Iput, Bryanskaya pink, Fatezh, Tyutchevka.

Outwardly, cherry seedlings are very similar to cherries, but looking closely, it is not difficult to distinguish them:

• Cherry trees are taller with upright branches;
• The bark of cherry seedlings is brown with a reddish tinge, while the bark of cherry seedlings is grey-brown.

Cherry cultivation will be successful if the seedling for planting is chosen correctly. His age should not exceed three years (optimally - two years). The recommended height of the purchased seedling is at least 80 cm, while it has 3-4 strong shoots. There must be a grafting site on the trunk, which indicates the varietal affiliation of the seedling. The bark of a healthy plant is smooth, without signs of disease and freezing.

Cherry seedlings from the nursery prepared for transplanting

The root system of sweet cherry planting material is well developed and has 3-4 branches 20 cm long. Instances with dried, rotten or frozen roots should not be purchased - they are not viable. If the root system of the seedling is very dry - when cut, a light brown core is visible, the seedling can be reanimated. To do this, the roots are placed in a container with water for a day.

Choosing a place and planting cherries

Improper planting of cherries can lead to the death of the seedling, so this stage must be approached responsibly.

Choosing a place to land

Sweet cherry prefers areas on the south or south-west side, not blown by northern winds. It is allowed to plant trees near the southern walls of the house and on gentle slopes.

Cherries bear fruit well in a sunny area on the south side

This fruit crop does not tolerate stagnant moisture, even short-term. Cherry planting in central Russia should be carried out in areas with deep groundwater. Otherwise, wetting of the roots will lead to a delay in the development of the tree, and in the future - to its death.

Soil preparation

Sweet cherry develops well and bears fruit on fertile loams and sandy loams with neutral acidity. The soil should be well aerated and saturated with moisture. Peatlands, deep sandstones and heavy clay soils are not suitable for growing sweet cherries.

It is necessary to prepare the site where the planting of the tree is planned in advance. The site is dug up in the fall, introducing organic matter (manure or compost) and mineral fertilizers (superphosphate and sodium sulfate). If you need to lower the pH of the soil, add about 500 g of lime or chalk.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Sweet cherries take root and develop well, the cultivation and care of which are planned in advance, as well as the rules and terms of planting are observed. In the southern regions, planting is done in the fall and before the onset of cold weather, they have time to get stronger. In the conditions of the Moscow region and the middle lane, transplantation should be postponed until spring. The optimal time for spring planting in open ground is the end of April, before the buds swell.

When laying a cherry orchard between plants, a distance of at least 3 meters must be observed. A pit for planting is dug two weeks before planting, so that the soil is sufficiently settled. The fertile layer of the surface soil is thrown in one direction, and the deep layer in the other. The size of the pit should ensure the free placement of the root system in it - a depth of approximately 60 cm and a width of 60-100 cm. It is not recommended to apply nitrogen-containing dressings and lime to the planting pit, from which the roots can get burned.

Preparing a planting hole for cherries

At the bottom of the planting pit, a mound is formed from fertile soil, on which a seedling is placed. The root neck of the cherry can not be deepened. It should be at ground level or slightly higher. After planting, you need to carry out abundant watering of the tree, and mulch the near-trunk circle.

Sweet cherry - care after planting and before harvest

Cherry care in the first year of planting does not take much effort. It is enough to water the plant in a timely manner, and remove weeds in the near-trunk circle. In the future, the tree needs additional care measures.

Watering and weeding

Watering an adult tree is carried out three times per season, 20-30 liters of water are added. In dry summers, the amount of watering can be increased. An excess of moisture should be avoided, as the roots of the sweet cherry are prone to rotting. The growth of weeds in the near-trunk circle is unacceptable, so they are regularly removed, the soil is loosened and mulched.

Pollination

For fruiting, it is necessary to ensure good pollination of sweet cherries during flowering. Cherries of other varieties or cherries will become cross-pollinators. To lure bees, sweet cherry flowers can be irrigated with honey or sugar dissolved in water.

It is recommended to grow several varieties of cherries for cross-pollination

Cherry top dressing spring and pre-winter

If the soil was well fertilized during planting, additional feeding is not needed for the first 3-5 years. Cherry care in central Russia further includes the application of organic fertilizers, which are applied in the spring: 10 kg of compost or rotted manure. Mineral fertilizers (superphosphate) will help the tree prepare for winter. They are brought in no later than September.

Formative and sanitary pruning of cherries

In the year of planting, side branches should be shortened to 40 cm. The intensive growth of cherry shoots needs to be contained. For this, formative pruning is carried out in the spring before the buds swell.

Cherry pruning is carried out in the spring before the buds swell.

In subsequent years, pruning is carried out to form a longline crown, shortening last year's shoots. At a height of 3-3.5 m, the growth of the main conductor is restrained by pruning. In the spring, sanitary pruning is also carried out, removing damaged and improperly growing branches.

Harvesting and subsequent care of cherries

Sweet cherry begins to bear fruit in 3-4 years from the moment of planting. The ripening period of berries may vary depending on the variety. Berry picking often falls in June and July. Pluck berries with stalks in dry weather.

During the ripening period, starlings and other birds love to feast on berries. To scare away, you can buy special nets for fruit trees, and gardeners also cling rustling and shiny objects to trees. More reliable means of protection are non-woven fabric or electronic repellers.

Protecting cherry fruits from birds using old computer disks

Cherry care after harvest is not difficult. It is necessary to monitor the health of the tree and regularly clean the near-trunk circle from fallen plant residues. During this period, the amount and rate of watering can be reduced.

Diseases and pests of cherries, and their control

To protect the sweet cherry, early spring (during the swelling of the kidneys) spraying with a solution of urea is used as a preventive measure. A solution is prepared from 10 liters of water and 500-600 g of urea. They process not only branches, but also the soil in the near-stem circle, thereby destroying insects wintering there.

To combat fungi and moss, the trunk and crown are treated with a 5% solution of ferrous sulfate before sap flow begins. Such processing is enough once every few years.

Sweet cherry affected by clasterosporium

To combat the main pests: sawfly, mites, aphids, they are treated with Karbofos, Askarin, Fitoverm, Novaktion. Spray trees during the opening of the kidneys and the separation of bouquets. In the same period, prevention of clasterosporiasis, moniliosis and other diseases is carried out with a 5% solution of Bordeaux mixture.

After flowering, the prevention of flying pests begins. For this, spraying with Karbofos or Novaktion is carried out. The last treatment should be carried out no later than 20 days before the crop ripens.

Preparing cherries for wintering

Adult cherries, planted and cared for according to the rules, tolerate winter well without shelter. It is enough to whitewash the base of the trunk and skeletal branches, add 150 g of superphosphate to the soil in September, and mulch the trunk circle with peat. Also in the fall, it is necessary to carry out abundant saturating watering.

Autumn whitewashing of cherries

Young seedlings need shelter. Do not wrap them with artificial materials (lutrasil, spunbond). It is better to give preference to spruce branches or burlap, under which the trees breathe in winter and will not rot.

Growing cherries in central Russia and other regions is within the power of even inexperienced gardeners. By choosing the right seedling and planting site, as well as following simple care rules, you can harvest an excellent harvest of juicy and sweet berries every year.

Sweet cherry is considered to be a plant that is quite demanding on light and heat. Afraid of cold air and favors sunny places on high ground. The site must be protected from the northeast and north winds. The best place for cherry cultivation there will be a south and southwest side of the buildings. She will also feel comfortable among mature trees.

Cherries prefers warm sandy loamy fertile soils and grows very poorly on peat-bog, heavy loamy, gley soils. It is worth noting that for cherry cultivation acidic soils are completely unsuitable. It is much more suitable for neutral, slightly alkaline (pH 7-7.3) and slightly acidic. Cherry does not tolerate stagnant water, but at the same time loves a large amount of moisture. It does not survive well in the presence of close groundwater.

1. Varieties of sweet cherries that are most suitable for central Russia

Breeders have created a fairly large number of sweet cherry varieties that grow well and bear fruit in the middle zone. It includes Moscow, Bryansk, Kaluga, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tula, Vladimir and Ivanovo regions.

1.1 Early ripe varieties of sweet cherries:

Iput is a self-fertile variety, whose pollinators are Revna, Raditsa, Bryansk pink and Tyutchivka. It has a high winter hardiness of flower buds. The fruits are very sweet and juicy, almost black in color. Their mass reaches almost 10 grams.

Raditsa. Pollinators for her are Iput, Revna and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and juicy dark red in color, weighing up to 5.8 grams.

Sadko. Pollinators for her are Iput, Revna and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and rarely crack, reaching a mass of up to 8 grams. It has a dark red color.

1.2 Mid-early and mid-season varieties of sweet cherries:

Revna. Pollinators for her are Iput, Raditsa and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and juicy, dark red in color, weighing up to 7.8 grams.

Tyutchivka. Pollinators for her are Iput, Raditsa, Revna and Ovstuzhenka. The fruits are sweet and juicy, dark red in color, weighing up to 5.4 grams. In years with high humidity, the fruits may crack.

Astakhov's favorite. Pollinators for her are Iput, Raditsa and Tyutchivka. It is also considered partially self-fertile. The fruits are sweet and juicy, dark red in color, weighing more than 5 grams.

1.3 Late-ripening varieties of sweet cherries:

Lena. Pollinators for her are Iput, Revna and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and dull-heart-shaped, dark red in color, weighing up to 8 grams.

Brianochka. Pollinators for her are Iput, Revna and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and juicy, dark red in color, weighing up to 7 grams.

Bryansk pink. Pollinators for her are Iput, Revna and Tyutchivka. The fruits are sweet and juicy, pink in color, weighing up to 5 grams.

All varieties begin to bear fruit 3-5 years after planting. They are also winter-hardy and resistant to coccomycosis and some other fungal diseases. For full fruiting, it is necessary to have at least 3 varieties of sweet cherries in one area.

fig.1 Blooming cherry

2. Planting cherries

The best time for planting cherries is early spring, before the buds open. Thanks to this, the seedling will have time to take root well and gain vitality in order to survive the first winter.

The planting hole should be dug 10-12 days before planting in the spring or prepared in the fall. The optimal depth is 60-75 cm, and the width is 70-80 cm. The excavated fertile soil layer is mixed with humus and superphosphate (200 g) and potassium sulfate (100 g) are added to it. The pit is then filled with this mixture.

It is very important to remember that sweet cherries do not tolerate deepening of the root collar. Therefore, when planting, it is worth raising it by 3-4 centimeters, because in the near future the soil will settle, and the basal neck will deepen a little.

After planting, you need to form a moat around the cherry seedling and pour plenty of water with a bucket of water. Re-watering is advisable to carry out in a week.

fig.2 How to properly deepen the root neck of a cherry

3. Cherry nutrition

The first years after planting cherries there is no need to apply fertilizer, since everything necessary was laid in the hole along with the soil. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizing begins in the 3rd year after planting. Superphosphate (40-60 g / m 2) and potassium chloride (20-30 grams) are applied once every 3 years for digging the trunk circle no later than mid-September.

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied every spring, starting from the 3rd year after planting the sweet cherry. These include ammonium nitrate (20 g / m 2) or urea (15 g / m 2). You can learn more about mineral fertilizers here.

Organics should be applied once every 2 years at 3-4 kg per m 2. This is best done in the spring when loosening the trunk circle. If these top dressings are introduced later, then the growth of new shoots may stop, and they will not have time to get stronger before the onset of cold weather.

Also, after fruiting, green manure plants can be sown around the trunk circle, which, together with the soil, will be dug up in the spring and, thus, all the necessary substances will begin to nourish the tree much earlier, especially considering the moment that they will begin to overheat even under snow. You can find out more interesting information about green manure plants from this article.

4. Cherry pruning and crown formation

Carry out the formation of the crown cherries advisable in early spring, before the buds swell. In this case, one should not forget about the processing of all sections with garden pitch. This must be done in order to prevent gum disease, which can lead to infection with various kinds of diseases and even death of the tree. Also, do not forget about the spring whitewashing of a tree trunk, and you can find out how to do it right here.

Sweet cherries have a natural crown shape - from pyramidal to rounded, but when pruned, it is most often made sparsely-tiered with a bole height of 60 to 80 centimeters. The first pruning of the shoots should be carried out one year after planting cherries.

During this period, a crown is formed from 5-6 skeletal branches (of the first order). In the first tier, 3 branches are left, 2 of which can be placed adjacent, and the third is 20-25 centimeters higher than the first two.

In the third year, it is advisable to lay the second tier of skeletal branches at a distance of at least 60 cm from the upper branch of the first tier. In the same year, 2 branches of the second order should be formed on each shoot of the first order. To form the second order branches, it is necessary to shorten the first order branches by approximately 20 centimeters after their length reaches 70 centimeters. Branches of the second order are located at a distance of at least 50 centimeters from the trunk and from each other.

The third tier is usually formed from a single shoot at a distance of at least 30 centimeters from the second tier. In this case, it is recommended to cut the central conductor over the branch of the third tier no earlier than one year after its formation.

Cherry in central Russia is still not very common. For the successful cultivation of sweet cherries, one cannot neglect the agrotechnical rules, which, unfortunately, not everyone knows about. The intricacies of growing this southerner will be discussed.

The most typical question: Why do sweet cherries grow well, but do not bear fruit? In this case, there can be two options: either the cherry grows well, but does not bloom, or the tree grows and blooms, but does not give a harvest. In the first case, there can be many reasons: insufficient age of the tree, imbalance of soil nutrition, “fatting” due to excess nitrogen fertilizers, freezing of flower buds (if any), etc.

Sweet cherry in the middle lane 2

The most common cause is insufficient lighting due to improper placement in the garden or dense plantings. You need to know that sweet cherry is a fast-growing, large and very photophilous plant. For its normal development, there must be free space, not less than 5 x 3 m (in extreme cases, 4 x 3 m). A dense planting can also lead to a decrease in potential winter hardiness, especially flower buds.

A common mistake is to plant sweet cherries close to a house or outbuilding in the hope that they will protect the tree from the effects of winter cold (1). This also leads to a lack of sunlight and improper plant formation. As a result, it stretches upward, the lower part of the trunk is exposed due to the death of the branches, and fruiting begins only in the upper part of the crown, when it manages to break out into the light above the roof. It is difficult to harvest from such a height, and it goes to the birds.

The absence of a crop with abundant flowering is most likely due to the fact that there were no pollinating varieties nearby or the weather was bad during the period of fruit set (rain, spring frosts, etc.). If the weather is favorable and the tree blooms annually, but does not bear fruit, then the reason is probably the absence of a pollinator. It is important to know that sweet cherries do not have self-fertile varieties; they require mandatory cross-pollination. In this regard, it is necessary to provide for the presence of at least two, and preferably three or four varieties on the site for mutual cross-pollination. One can be dispensed with only if other varieties grow in the neighborhood. The main thing is that they have the same flowering time.

If there is no place for a second tree, then it is better to plant only one, but spacious growing tree, and make several grafts of other varieties into its crown. This is enough for pollination. It is better to plant an early-growing variety as the main one. Fatezh(2), which is the most reliable for central Russia in terms of winter hardiness and productivity. Not as tall as other varieties, a tree with a strong, spreading crown (branches extending from the trunk at a right or obtuse angle) in July will delight you with delicious fruits weighing 4–4.5 g. They are good both fresh and for various preparations. Can be grafted into the crown Chermashnaya(with yellow, earlier ripening berries of dessert taste), etc. A set of different varieties will allow you to create a conveyor in terms of ripening from the end of June and almost the whole of July.

By the way, vaccinations can be done by cuttings in the spring and budding (for stone fruits, this method is preferable). It is carried out in late July - early August in the branches of young plants with a thickness of a pencil or a little more.

Often, gardeners ask why the planted two trees bloom profusely, but do not give a harvest. In this case, the reason may be the selectivity of the pollinator. For example, according to M. Kanshina, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, the author of many varieties of cherries, such selectivity is typical for varieties Raditsa and Bryansk pink. However, most varieties are well pollinated by each other with simultaneous flowering. Two nearby growing and flowering trees are left without a crop, most likely if they turned out to be of the same variety, although they could be sold as different. The varietal identity is determined by the leaves: from the middle part of the shoots of the same development, one leaf is taken from each tree and compared. In identical varieties, all features (for example, the serration of the leaf edge, the shape of the base and tip of the leaf blade, etc.) are the same. There are many such signs, but they require professional knowledge. However, I will give my author's hint: cherry leaves have glands called nectaries. They are located at the base of the leaf blade and on the petiole of the leaf, they look like small tubercles about 1–3 mm in size. Most importantly, for each variety, nectaries have their own color, which basically coincides with the color of the fruit. In yellow-fruited ( Chermashnaya) they are light yellow (3), in varieties with pink or yellow fruits with a reddish blush (Fatezh) - pinkish, in red-fruited ( Sinyavskaya) are red (4).

Of course, the signal signs will coincide in different varieties with the same fruit color. But here we must remember that in all varieties the leaves are necessarily different.

I hope that such a professional tip will help to purchase seedlings of different varieties. True, for this, the plants must have leaves, which are removed (sniffed) before autumn digging, leaving them only on the tops. However, this is quite enough to conduct a comparative examination.

Sometimes summer residents follow the wrong recommendations and harm their trees. Once, at a lecture, an amateur gardener said that in order to speed up the fruiting of an already large sweet cherry, he bent the branches and nailed their ends to the trunk with nails. The result was deplorable: giant shoots grew on the branches, and growths of resin formed on the trunks near the nails, and then the bark cracked. However, fruition never came.

The recommendation, gleaned by the gardener in one of the books, turned out to be wrong in general, and even more so for cherries. With such a bending, an arcuate curvature of the branch occurs. At the highest points of this arc, vertically growing wen shoots always grow, which are ahead of other branches in growth strength. Such a reaction to a too steep bend is characteristic of all tree crops. Bending should be carried out to the horizontal level of the branch.

There is an opinion that the range of fruit plants in a temperate climate is limited - apple, plum, cherry ... "The rest is not for our climate!" many will say, looking skeptically at the seedlings of southern crops.

But in spite of everything, southerners are increasingly settling in our gardens, showing miracles of winter hardiness and giving excellent harvests. Take cherries for example!

Planting cherries in our lane has recently begun, but its popularity is growing rapidly. Indeed, in terms of winter hardiness, modern varieties are almost as good as cherries, they are high-yielding and distinguished by excellent fruit quality.

And one more thing: cherries are almost not affected by such dangerous fungal diseases as moniliosis and coccomycosis, to which cherries are so susceptible.

What is needed for growing cherries in the middle lane

Cherry needs a place protected from strong winds and full coverage throughout the day. Not suitable areas located in the lowlands, where

cold air accumulates, as well as places with high standing groundwater. Sweet cherries do not grow well on acidic soils, the optimal acidity is pH = 6.5 - 7. Therefore, before planting, and then every few years, liming is carried out. In dry years, watering is necessary.

Where and how to plant Cherries are planted in the spring with one- or two-year-old seedlings. Planting material acquired in autumn is placed in a pit, where seedlings are stored under a layer of snow until spring.

What to consider when growing cherries

• The distance between cherry seedlings should be at least 4 m.
• The vast majority of sweet cherry varieties are self-fertile, so two different varieties need to be planted. The best pollinators are listed in the variety description.
• Varieties that pollinate each other well bloom synchronously, although ripening times can vary significantly.
• Cherries and sweet cherries do not pollinate each other.
• Sweet cherries with a height of 2–4 m are considered weakly tall in the middle lane, medium-sized -4.1-6 m and vigorous - 6.1-8 m.
• Early-ripening sweet cherries ripen at the end of June, mid-ripening - in mid-July, late-ripening - in early August.
• Sweet cherry is sensitive to damage to the root system. Buy seedlings only with good roots and plant immediately in a permanent place.

A pit with a diameter of 70 - 80 cm and a depth of 50 - 60 cm is prepared for planting. The soil extracted from the bottom for planting is not used, and the upper cultivated layer is mixed with 10–15 kg of rotted manure or compost, 300 g of wood ash, mixed thoroughly and used to fill the pit. Phosphorus and potash fertilizers are poured into the bottom in accordance with the instructions on the package. The pit is filled with prepared substrate and spilled. After 3-4 weeks, when the earth settles well, seedlings are planted, preventing the root collar from deepening. Trees are watered and tied to supports.

Caring for a cherry is no more difficult than caring for an apple tree.

Young plants are regularly watered, tree trunks are loosened, and pests and diseases are controlled. With proper planting, the first 3-4 years are spent only in spring top dressing with nitrogen fertilizer. In the future, fertilize like other fruit trees. Cherries branch weakly, forming long, ankle-shaped branches. To obtain a compact crown, the growth of young trees is shortened annually. Adult cherries are pruned very moderately, mainly thinning the crown. Cherries are more durable than cherries. They begin to bear fruit at 4-5 years, after about 5 years they enter full fruiting, which can last up to 20 years. If flower buds do not freeze in winter and do not fall under frost in spring, then fruiting is annual.

The key to success is the right varieties of cherries

The seedlings brought from the south cannot survive our winters, and in summer we have not enough heat. The first winter-hardy varieties were obtained in Leningrad in the middle of the last century. Some of them ('Leningrad black', 'Leningrad pink', 'Leningrad yellow', etc.) are still widespread in the gardens of the Non-Black Earth region.

Later, in Bryansk, varieties were obtained with greater winter hardiness and with fruits in taste that were not inferior to real southerners.

The best of them are 'Bryansk Pink', 'Iput', 'Ovstuzhenka', 'Revna'. Moscow varieties ‘Fatezh’ and ‘Chermashnaya’ are also interesting. ‘Bryansk pink’. The fruits are pink, medium size (4 g), good taste. The variety is late-ripening, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Iput’, ‘Revna’, ‘Leningrad black’. Resistant to fungal diseases. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

‘Gronkavaya’. The fruits are dark red, weighing 4.5 g, sweet. The variety is early ripe, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Revna’, ‘Tyutchevka’. Weakly affected by pests and diseases. Included in the State Register for the Central Region. ‘Ipath’. The fruits are almost black, large (5.2 g), good taste. The variety is early ripe, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Revna’, ‘Tyutchevka’, ‘Raditsa’, ‘Bryansk pink’. Resistant to fungal diseases. For the central and southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

‘Leningrad pink’. Fruits are pink with a red blush, weighing 3.2 g, good taste. The variety is mid-season, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Leningrad red’, ‘Red dense’. For the northwestern regions. ‘Leningrad black’. The fruits are almost black, weighing 3.5 g, sweet. The variety is late. Pollinators ‘Leningrad yellow’, ‘Leningrad pink’, ‘Iput’, ‘Revna’. For the northwestern regions.

’Gift of Ryazan’. The fruits are yellow with a red blush, very large (7 g), tasty, sweet. The variety is mid-season, self-fertile. Resistance to pests and diseases is high. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

‘Raditsa’. The fruits are dark red, large, very good taste. A variety of very early ripening, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Revna’, ‘Iput’, ‘Tyutchevka’. Resistant to coccomycosis. For the southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

Revna. Mid-late maturity. The fruits are almost black, large (4.7 g), very good taste. The best pollinators are ‘Ovstuzhenka’, ‘Iput’, ‘Tyutchevka’, ‘Raditsa’. Resistant to fungal diseases. For the central and southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

Rechitsa. The fruits are dark red, large, good taste. The variety is medium-ripe, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Iput’, ‘Ovstushenko’. Resistant to coccomycosis. Included in the State Register for the Central Region.

‘Pink Pearl’. The fruits are orange with a red blush, large, excellent taste. The variety is mid-season, self-fertile, pollinators ‘Michurinka’, ‘Michurinskaya late’. Disease resistant.

‘Tyutchevka’. Mid-late maturity. The fruits are dark red, very large (up to 7 g), tasty, sweet. Pollinators ‘Iput’, ‘Revna’, ‘Ovstuzhenka’, ‘Raditsa’. Disease resistance is high. For the southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

‘Fatezh’. The fruits are pink with a red blush, medium size, very good taste. The variety is mid-season, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Chermashnaya’, ‘Crimean’. Disease resistant. For the central and southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

‘Chermashnaya’. The fruits are yellow, weighing 4.5 g, excellent taste. A variety of very early ripening, self-fertile. Pollinators ‘Fatezh’, ‘Crimean’. Disease resistant. For the central and southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.