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Many gardeners plant cherries; this tree is a garden decoration in the spring when it blooms, and in summer it presents delicious fruits that can be preserved for the winter. Cherry Zvezdochka is considered an example of folk selection. The variety was obtained by a careful selection of seedlings in the nursery, the founder of which was such a famous person as I. V. Michurin. Therefore, it is now impossible to indicate exactly which of the early cherry varieties was taken as a mother plant. The asterisk is common throughout Russia.
Description of cherry variety Zvezdochka
Plant height can vary from 2.5 to 4-6 m. This figure depends on the quality of the soil in the garden. The asterisk belongs to the group of early maturing species.
The tree forms a crown in the form of a pyramid.
The plant has an average density of branches, but experts recommend that farmers control the crown by pruning branches that begin to grow inward. Gardeners of central Russia must strictly comply with this requirement, otherwise the sun's rays will not pass through the dense branches of the tree, and this will lead to the loss of part of the crop.
The plant produces an average number of leaves. The cherry leaf of this variety is large in size. Its edges are like the teeth of a fine saw.
Cherry Asterisk sapling
White flowers (cherry blossom) are formed on the tree during flowering. They are collected in large inflorescences.
The plant has long and strong petioles.
Description of the cherry fruit Star:
- The berry weight ranges from 4 to 5 g.
- The cherry berry is round, shaped like a ball.
- The fruit is large (up to 20 mm in diameter).
- The cherry fruit of this type is covered with a thin skin and is colored in a bright scarlet hue.
When fully ripe, the pulp of the berry acquires a rich light red color. The consistency of the fruit is juicy and tender, has a sweet-sour taste. The category of berries to which the described varietal species belongs, according to the taste, received an assessment of 4 points from the tasters. Cherries are saturated with valuable organic acids, trace elements (iron, iodine, zinc, molybdenum, etc.), calcium, phosphorus, vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, PP.
Cherry Asterisk is pink
The juice of the berry is pink.
The varietal feature of Asterisk is the yellow color of the seed.
General characteristics of the tree:
- The plant tolerates the dry season and winter cold well thanks to its powerful root system. It penetrates into the ground to a depth of 0.2 to 0.4 m. Such roots reach the groundwater.
- Cherry Zvezda has a high frost resistance, which allows it to withstand temperatures down to -36 ° C, and the buds (vegetative and fruit) do not freeze.
- In cold regions, where the north wind often blows, it is recommended to plant 1-2 trees in the area. This allows you to get up to 50% of the possible yield under unfavorable conditions. It is advisable to install seedlings in such areas in such a way that buildings protect them from the wind.
- The plant has an average resistance to various fungal infections. To reduce the risk of fungal infection, it is recommended to constantly thin out the crown of the tree.
To protect against aphids, the soil in the garden must be regularly freed from weeds.
The best pollinators of the Star are Seedling No. 1 and Wreath. Cherry blossoms in mid-May, and yields in early July.Trees begin to bear fruit 3 years after planting. From one tree more than 10 years old, up to 18-20 kg of cherries are harvested per year. Berries are consumed fresh, compotes and jam are prepared from them, dried, frozen.
Cherry Star blossoms
How to grow cherries
Planting trees in central Russia should be done only in spring. Trees are placed in an elevated place, because they do not like the close location of groundwater, places of rainwater drainage.
The soil should be loose, light, and have neutral acidity. Each tree should be left up to 12 sq. m of soil. It is recommended to plant rowan and currant next to cherries. It is forbidden to plant conifers, tall shrubs, raspberries, gooseberries, eggplants and tomatoes next to a tree. Planting of any plants is prohibited within the trunk circle.
The cherry seedling should not have cuts in the bark, scratches. It should have roots and fresh buds. It is worth choosing seedlings with a trunk diameter of at least 2 cm, with a branch length of more than 0.5 m. The roots should be flexible and slightly damp.
The seedling is placed in a solution of water and clay, adding growth stimulants to it. Soaking takes up to 120 minutes.
A hole for trees is made with dimensions 0.8 X 0.8 X 0.8 m. A ready-made substrate enriched with fertilizers is laid in it. If necessary, you need to make a drainage system.
The root system of the seedling (its neck) is installed above the ground. Water the near-trunk circle, and then mulch the soil on it. The branches of the trees are cut to 1/3 of the length.
Cherry asterisk gives a wonderful harvest
To destroy weeds, the soil under the plants is loosened 4-5 times per season. If there is no rain, each tree is watered after a period of flowering and development of ovaries with 30-40 liters of water.
Top dressing with nitrogen mixtures is carried out in early spring and after flowering. Potash and phosphorus fertilizers are applied when digging a garden in the fall. Asterisks are pruned in the spring, in mid-March. If the tree grows strongly, its skeletal branches are strengthened, the conductors are removed. The first 2 winters, the seedlings are wrapped in spruce branches to protect them from the cold. They also need to be watered abundantly at the end of October.
So that the seedlings do not get sick with moniliosis, in early spring and in the middle of autumn they are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate, medicines "Phtalan", "Kuprozan" or "Captan". For prevention, diseased branches are removed, and in the fall, the remaining leaves are removed.
In case of symptoms of coccomycosis, the tree is treated with Kaptan, Horus or Skor. To prevent the disease in early spring, plants are sprayed with liquids containing copper.
When a weevil or its larvae appears on the leaves of trees, the seedlings are sprayed with special preparations after the flowering of the tree. For preventive purposes, autumn harvesting of the remaining leaves is carried out.
If the gardener noticed insects called sawers, it is recommended to treat all plantings with insecticides, and completely remove the foliage from the trees in the fall.
When aphids appear, it is necessary to destroy it with soapy water or use special products that can be purchased in agricultural stores. To prevent the appearance of this garden pest, it is worth eliminating all colonies of garden ants in any way.
Zvezdochka makes delicious dumplings
How to harvest
The trees are quite tall, so ladders are used to collect cherries from the middle and upper branches. The crop can be removed from the lower branches without the use of special tools. You can pick the berries by hand, but it is better to use small scissors.
When picking berries, the bark of the tree must not be damaged, otherwise it may not withstand winter frosts.
Asterisk's advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of this cherry over other varieties is:
- partial self-fertility;
- high stable yield;
- high taste and visual qualities of berries;
- frost resistance, the ability to endure the dry season.
The disadvantage of Zvezdochka is a predisposition to fungal diseases, the possibility of being affected by an epidemic of moniliosis or coccomycosis.
Caring for cherries that can withstand frost and drought is not a big deal. In spring, during flowering, the tree looks impressive. If all the requirements and recommendations of specialists are fulfilled, cherry can delight the owner with high yields for 20 years.
