For owners of small garden plots, the choice of a variety of fruit and berry crops becomes a real problem. The best option in this case is the choice of dwarf varieties that are compact in size. Baby (Baby) is a cherry of this type. Otherwise, it is sometimes called a cherry Thumbelina or Saratov baby, it was in this city that the variety was bred in 1955.
Cherry Malyshka: description and characteristics of the variety
Cherry Thumbelina is a hybrid of cherry and sweet cherry. Saratov cherry trees do not grow higher than 2.5 m. They have a small crown, which has the shape of a ball with an average density of branches.
Trees grow pretty fast. Their branches are arched and their smooth bark is brown. On the branches there are large leaves of a dark green color, ovoid with pointed edges.
Cherry Malyutka pleases gardeners with round bright red berries with shiny smooth skin. In the center of the soft and juicy pulp there is a small bone that can be easily separated. The popularity of the fruits of this variety is due to the fact that they have a pleasant sweet-sour taste.
Cherry Baby
The flowering period begins in the first half of May. In mid-June, you can start harvesting.
The tree begins to bear fruit in 2 - 3 years after planting the seedling.
Baby - cherry is not only tasty, but also healthy, contains a complex of useful components:
- sugar;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- organic acids, etc.
This composition of the fruits determines their beneficial properties:
- antibacterial;
- antipyretic;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
- lowering the level of blood clotting;
- increased immunity;
- stimulation of the functioning of the stomach, pancreas and gallbladder.
High yield level
The peculiarity of the variety is its early maturity. In addition, it is worth noting other advantages of this cherry variety:
- resistance to low temperatures;
- high level of productivity;
- early fruiting;
- excellent transportability;
- good taste.
If we talk about the shortcomings of the Baby, one should highlight her self-fertility and the low strength of fastening the berries during their ripening period.
Features of planting and care
Planting seedlings does not require any special effort. The main thing is to choose the right seedling and the place in which it will be planted.
Root system
When choosing a seedling, it is recommended to pay special attention to its root system. The roots must be strong and free from damage. The branches of the seedling should bend easily and not break.
When choosing a location, it is recommended to give preference to an area that is well ventilated, but where there are no drafts. The area should be well lit.
The cherry orchard thrives on sandy loam soil. This type of soil has a high rate of air permeability, and also has the ability to absorb water well. If loamy soil prevails on the site, sand must be added to planting seedlings of Saratov cherry.
The Cherry Orchard
It is recommended to plant varietal cherry seedlings in the spring. This will give them the opportunity to get stronger, settle down and prepare for the winter.
Before planting, you must first prepare the soil. At the end of autumn, you need to carefully dig it up, and then add a mixture of fertilizers to it.To prepare the mixture, organic fertilizers, phosphorus, potassium are used.
To ensure a quick adaptation of the tree, gardeners recommend adhering to these rules:
- In the prepared soil, dig a hole 60x60 cm in size, its depth should not exceed 55 cm. In this case, it is recommended to separate the lower soil layer from the lower one.
- The distance between seedlings is 1.5-2.5 m. In this case, mature trees will not shade each other.
- Immediately before planting a seedling, you need to carefully examine its root. If damaged or dry areas are found, remove them. You can use pruning shears for this.
- A wooden stake with a height of 1.5-2.0 m is driven in the central part of the pit.
- The bottom of the pit is covered with a mixture of fertilizers (ash, humus and phosphorus).
- Near the stake driven into the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to form an earthen mound no more than 0.5 m high. There is a sapling on it, whose root is evenly leveled.
- The horse system is covered with earth and compacted.
- At a distance of 0.3 m from the trunk, a small shaft is formed, into which watering is performed. For the first watering, you need 3-4 buckets of warm, settled water.
- So that the tree does not deviate to the side, it is recommended to tie it to the peg with a strong twine.
For each watering under the tree, you must pour at least 14 buckets of water
This cherry variety tolerates drought well, but that doesn't mean that you don't need to water the tree. During the season, watering is recommended at least 4 times: after the tree has bloomed, during the formation of ovaries, after harvesting berries and before the onset of winter. For each watering under the tree, at least 14 buckets of water are poured.
To provide air to the root system, the soil around the tree trunk must be loosened periodically. In the spring and autumn, fallen leaves and dry fruits are removed from this area.
Don't forget about pruning wood. This will form its crown and save vitality.
Cherry pruning
Malyshka cherry trees require special preparation for winter. To do this, you need to carry out the following activities:
- Cut off all dry and old branches.
- Remove all weeds, rotten fruit and debris near the trunk.
- Pour 4 - 5 buckets of water over the tree.
- Mulch the soil near the trunk. For this, you can use peat or humus. Mulch layer - within 5-9 cm.
Cherry trees also need feeding. After the snow melts, the trees can be fed with nitrogen, and in the fall with phosphorus or potassium. During the growing season, feeding is also carried out twice: at the end of the flowering period and after 2 weeks after that.
If all of the above recommendations are followed, the cherry orchard will give a generous harvest of berries!
