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Cherries are extremely popular with summer residents, because many dishes and drinks can be prepared from its berries. In addition, among the components that make up the fruit, there is ellagic acid, which prevents the development of cancer cells. One of the hybrids that combines the best qualities of the parent varieties is Ashinskaya cherry.
Cherry Ashinskaya: variety description
This is a forest-steppe plant that has the ability to take root in regions with a continental climate. Cherry Steppe Ashinskaya reproduces well with its shoots. It looks like a low-growing shrub up to 1.5 m high. Its thin shoots are slightly raised, covered with elliptical leaves.
The medium-sized dark red berries have a sour-tart taste. Inside the fruit is a small bone, sharp at both ends.
Cherry Ashinskaya
The tree blooms in mid-April with white or beige flowers, which are collected in 3 - 4 pieces. a false umbrella in the inflorescence. Pedicel length does not exceed 24 mm.
The tree is early maturing. You can get the first fruits already 2 - 3 years after planting the seedlings. Cherries of the Ashinskaya variety have a high level of frost resistance, they can withstand frosts up to -45 degrees. The life span of a tree ranges from 20 to 26 years.
Steppe pyramidal cherry has some differences from ordinary cherry or sweet cherry. Among the most significant are the following:
- the shape of the berries can be varied;
- the taste of the berry is slightly tart;
- fruits can have a varied shade (from pale red to dark red);
- the bone is sharpened on both sides, which can lead to cuts in the mouth;
- begins bearing fruit 2 to 3 years earlier;
- able to withstand severe frosts;
- life expectancy is 15 - 20 years less;
- enters the flowering period 30 - 35 days earlier;
- leaf size is slightly larger than that of related crops.
Cherry Ashinskaya
Among the distinguishing features of this cherry variety, one can single out its resistance to diseases and pests. These characteristics of the variety determine its popularity among gardeners.
Features of growing and care
There are several ways to propagate Ashinskaya cherries.
By bone
To obtain a seedling, the seed is placed in wet sand, which is wrapped in a plastic bag. In this form, the seed is stored until autumn. Such a dormant period is one of the main conditions for the rapid germination of the seed. For germination, it is placed in water for 5 to 7 days.
After that, the bone is transferred into a mixture of sawdust and sand in equal amounts. In this form, the bone is kept in the basement until it hatches. This usually takes 2 to 3 months. Experienced gardeners recommend hardening the cracked bone. To do this, it is placed on ice in a refrigerator or on snow.
After that, the bone is again placed in a substrate of sawdust and sand. In order to avoid drying out of the substrate, it must be moistened several times. With the onset of spring, the bone is planted in open ground, previously prepared.
This breeding method is quite laborious and time consuming.Therefore, it is used very rarely.
Own root
Basically, the material is obtained from the growth that grows from an adult bush. It is separated from the mature tree in the fall (September - October) or in the spring (before the buds open).
It is necessary to retreat from the adult trunk by 20 - 30 cm. If this is not possible, the shoot can be grown at home on a fertilized bed.
When planting cuttings, the distance between them should be at least 10 - 15 cm. They are planted at a slight angle.
Graft
With the development of a large number of seedlings, they need to be thinned out. It is better to vaccinate during the period of active juice movement (spring or summer). If the grafting is carried out in the spring, it is better to do it by spinning (behind the bark or in an incision on the side of the trunk).
It is better to cut it in the fall, before the onset of frost. It is recommended to store the cut cutting in the refrigerator until spring.
A healthy and strong seedling has a light burgundy trunk and is firm at the base. The optimum seedling length reaches 35 - 40 cm.
After cutting, the seedling is placed in water 25 - 30 cm. It is advisable to add a growth stimulator to it. This contributes to the rapid development of the root. The seedling is kept in such a solution for 24 hours.
After a day, the seedling is ready for planting in the ground. For this, loose, sandy loam and fertile soil is suitable, which must be prepared in advance. The seedling is placed in a hole, the depth of which does not exceed 30 cm. A mixture of sand and peat must be added to the bottom of the hole. After planting, the soil around the seedling must be watered with warm, settled water.
Until the seedling takes root and reaches the required height, it must be covered with a film.
Graft
After about 15 to 20 days, the seedlings develop a strong root system. After that, the film can already be removed.
Care
Ashinskaya cherry needs watering, feeding and thinning the bush:
- Watering. It is necessary to carry out as the soil dries up in the root area. While the bush is still young, it is recommended to spray it. For this, it is better to use warm and clean water. An adult bush needs to be watered 3-4 times per season. At a time, 3 to 5 buckets of water are poured under the tree.
- Thinning. This procedure not only improves the yield of the tree, but also simplifies the harvesting process. It is necessary to remove lateral shoots that grow from a root or trunk. In addition, shoots that break the shape of the bush are also removed.
- Top dressing. A complex of mineral and organic fertilizers is mainly used. During the season, feeding is recommended 2 times.
Care
If the above conditions for growing Ashinskaya cherries are observed, you can get a good harvest of berries for many years.
Bush formation
To increase productivity, the bush needs pruning. There are several types of this procedure:
- Anti-aging. Old and dry branches that interfere with the normal growth of young shoots are removed. This type of pruning is recommended every 4 to 5 years.
- Formative. This method is used to give the bush the desired shape. Lateral branches are cut by 60 - 85 cm. From 3 to 5 adult branches remain, which grow from the trunk.
- Sanitary. Performed in the fall or spring. In this case, the removal of broken or diseased branches is carried out.
Bush formation
Timely pruning of cherries is one of the prerequisites for a good harvest.
Pests and diseases
Despite the fact that Ashinskaya cherry is resistant to diseases, preventive measures must be taken.To prevent the development of cherry orchard diseases, experienced gardeners are advised to follow these rules:
- Carefully remove fallen leaves every autumn. Otherwise, it is possible that pathogenic microorganisms, fungi and bacteria will develop in them over time.
- With the onset of spring, whitewash the lower branches and the main trunk. For this, you can use a solution of lime. This manipulation will prevent not only the development of diseases, but also the spread of moss on the trunk, which is a substrate for the development of pests.
Diseases and pests
After making cuts or trimming, all cut points must be treated with a special antiseptic, varnish or ordinary paint.
For prevention, it is worth spraying the bush with special chemicals that will prevent the development of diseases such as perforated spot or coccomycosis.
Compliance with these simple rules will preserve the health of the cherry orchard.
