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Winter-hardy varieties of sweet cherry have ceased to be an absolute exotic in central Russia. Moreover, even in Siberia, some enthusiastic gardeners manage to grow particularly resistant and unpretentious varieties. So, in the State Register there is an officially entered variety in Memory of Astakhov, which is intended specifically for the Central regions of the country. There are many other varieties, which will be discussed below.
The most winter-hardy cherry varieties and their characteristics
Today there are many such varieties, it is hard to believe that even twenty or thirty years ago, a cherry tree seemed to many to be an unrealizable dream, a sweet childhood memory of the hot south and a full plate of large juicy cherries.
Surprisingly, this sweet cherry never got widespread then, it could only be found in the collections of enthusiastic gardeners. The problem was that at that time these varieties were used only for private cultivation, and for industrial production they were simply not needed.
Such even, shiny and bright fruits can now be grown not only in the south.
Today, cherry has become a more popular crop - with the growing interest in gardening and an increase in the supply of seedlings on the market, many different varieties of imported varieties are being sold. However, most often, plants from Moldova that are not zoned to local conditions are brought for sale, and even Ukrainian varieties are not suitable for growing in the middle latitudes of Russia. There is no need to talk about such regions as Siberia. Hence, the unacceptability, the death of cherry seedlings in summer cottages.
For the first time for the regions of the Chernozem region, the most winter-hardy cherry was bred in the conditions of the Rossoshan experimental station - these were the varieties Rossoshanskaya large, Yulia. However, in order to supply zoned seedlings to the north, north-west of the country, it took cherry even more frost-resistant, with the greatest resistance to cold of flower buds. It was the breeding of such qualities that the Bryansk breeders were engaged in. They bred varieties such as:
- Rechitsa;
- Jealous;
- Tyutchevka;
- Odrinka;
- Bryansk pink.
Cherry winter-hardy Zyubarova: variety description
The variety is versatile, has an average ripening period. The varietal feature is that this cherry has a high frost resistance, it is also resistant to drought. Like any other variety, this cherry is tall, which forces gardeners to prune branches, constantly forming a crown.
The taste of the fruit is pleasant, dessert, while the taste does not change from weather conditions. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, dense, the weight of the fruit is up to 10 grams.
Cherry varieties for the Kirov region
Most experts are inclined to believe that the distribution area of this southern culture, even despite the winter hardiness of some varieties, is still limited to the Leningrad region. There is no point in planting it further because of the high danger of freezing. Nevertheless, many believe that under certain conditions and with proper agricultural technology, it is possible to grow full-fledged cherries in the Non-Black Earth Region, although the ripening of cherries in these zones will not come before the ripening of cherries.
The Volgo-Vyatka region also belongs to the Non-Chernozem Zone, therefore many gardeners are interested in what varietal choice can be made for this region and if there is northern cherry, which one is better.
The Ovstuzhenka variety is the most popular among northern gardeners.
It should be noted that the frost resistance of the tree and flower buds, even in the most prepared varieties and zoned for northern conditions, is still lower than that of ordinary cherry. This tree does not tolerate long-term frosts. At the same time, the advantage of cherries is its ability to resist coccomycosis, which allows it to endure ordinary winters more successfully than cherries. The fact that the cherry retains its leaves for a long time and prepares well for winter is good for her, while the cherry, having lost its foliage and entering into the autumn during the period of secondary growth, on the contrary, may suffer greatly.
What varieties are used for breeding in the northern regions? Sweet cherry for the Kirov region - varieties:
- Ovstuzhenka;
- Jealous;
- Raditsa;
- Bryansk pink;
- Gift to Stepanov;
- Bryanochka;
- Iput.
In addition, you can work with the late ripening varieties Veda, Pink pearl, Fatezh, Krasnaya dense, Michurinskaya late.
Tips from experienced gardeners (agricultural technology)
In Central Russia, the success of growing this crop depends on the conditions created in a particular area very seriously. So that the tree winters better, it is recommended to plant it on the slopes from the southern or southwestern sides, on the heights of the relief. Good for the cultivation of sweet cherry and favorable proximity to large industrial cities located to the north. Few people take into account that the warming effect of such cities can spread over tens of kilometers. It is this difference of 5-8 degrees that can say very significantly in winter to the state of cherries at the minimum winter temperature.
Correct agrotechnology of sweet cherries allows you to get stable and high yields of fruits.
How to determine if a site is suitable for growing a southern tree? It is necessary to assess the state of the neighbors 'garden: if the neighbors' cherries grow and do not freeze, then there is an opportunity to grow cherries.
Yet among the northern varieties there are self-pollinated ones: Iput and Ovstuzhenka. Both varieties are self-fertile. Even if the variety is self-fertile, its yield increases significantly if trees of other pollinating varieties are placed nearby. For example, the pollinator Revna gives a good neighborhood.
The Ovstuzhenka variety is a real find for northern gardeners. It can be grown in a risky farming zone and even in some areas of the Far North. He, as well as some of the varieties listed above, can survive frosts up to 35 degrees, and Ovstuzhenka even winters at temperatures down to minus 45 degrees. But it is just considered half self-fertile, and therefore it is better to plant a pollinator nearby, otherwise the ovary will receive only ten percent of the fruits, which is not much.
What else can you recommend to those who started growing cherries for the first time in northern conditions? Here are some tips and tricks:
- so that the plants are better pollinated, it is advisable to have at least three varieties in the garden;
- when planting in northern conditions, it must be borne in mind that cherries do not like swampy soil under the roots, but sunny areas, on the contrary, welcomes;
- cherry, being a rather tall plant, will create a large shadow, which is also important when planning a summer cottage or garden plot;
- you should not plant varieties that are susceptible to one disease. There are varieties that are highly resistant to certain diseases, and if seedlings that are prone to diseases are purchased, let those that are not afraid of viruses coexist with them;
- two or three times a year, cherries should be fed. And although she bears fruit every year without it, still top dressing will not harm. Fertilizing before winter, with autumn feeding, will help the tree cope with the winter cold.
As is clear from the article, the cultivation of a southern cherry tree in the north is quite possible, although it requires some conditions and skills on the part of the owner of the garden. For everything to work out, you need to make the right choice of variety from the very beginning.
