What is a self-sterile cherry variety and will it bear fruit?

Peculiarities of flowering and fruiting of cherries

Cherry is one of the main fruit crops in Ukraine and the southern regions of Russia. In the south (in the black earth regions and the Black Sea region), the cherry tree grows as a large tree, up to 25–35 meters in height (in gardens when pruned to 6–8 meters), and lives up to 100 years. Trees begin to bear fruit 4–6 years after planting and produce commercial crops for up to 30–40 years. In favorable climatic conditions, cherry trees bear fruit annually. The harvest from one tree reaches 40–50 kg of fruit.

In the south, cherries grow into large trees

Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring at the same time as the leaves bloom. Cherry flowers are pollinated by bees, so for good fruit set, warm sunny weather is necessary, favorable for the activity of pollinating insects. Frosts kill flowers and ovaries. Protective measures such as smoke are ineffective in practice; it is much more productive to cover flowering trees with agrofibre during freezing.

Most cherry varieties are self-sterile, so for cross-pollination you need to plant trees of 2-3 different varieties nearby that bloom at the same time.

Cherry flowers are pollinated by bees

Dates of flowering and ripening of cherries by region - table

How to get a cherry harvest in the Moscow region

Only the most winter-hardy varieties of cherries, specially bred for the middle zone, are suitable for growing in the Moscow region:

They are planted in places protected from the north wind with a favorable warm microclimate. To make cherry trees more easily withstand the frosts near Moscow, the trunks and skeletal branches are wrapped in breathable agrofibre for the winter.

The cherry harvest can be grown even in the Moscow region

In the middle zone, cherry trees are small in height, no higher than 2–2.5 meters, so the harvest from them is very modest, only 10–15 kg per tree. Cherries live in the central regions of Russia for no longer than 15 years. The first fruits can be obtained 4–6 years after planting.

Growing modern winter-hardy varieties of cherries allows you to get a small harvest of your own delicious berries even in the Moscow region.

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Preparing the soil and choosing a planting site

No less important when growing cherries is the choice of place for its growth. The culture prefers the most spacious, open, sunny area, reliably protected from cold winds and drafts, which are destructive for the tree.

As for the soil, it is necessary to select light, nutritious and breathable soil for the plant, with a groundwater level of at least 2-2.5 m. In the southern regions, where a warm climate prevails, it is recommended to carry out planting work in the fall, in the colder northern zones - in the spring.

A few weeks before planting, you should prepare a planting hole so that the soil in it has time to settle a little. The size of the recess should be such that it can freely accommodate the root system of the seedling, approximately 70 x 80 cm.

Immediately before planting, it is recommended to place organic or mineral fertilizers in the hole. Next, the plant is placed in the hole and the hole is filled with soil.

In order for the tree to bear fruit well, and for moisture not to stagnate near the root system, which contributes to root rotting, at the bottom of the planting hole you need to make a drainage layer of expanded clay, crushed stone or broken brick.

Maximum pollination of the tree occurs when it is planted near a cherry tree, which ensures fruiting efficiency. Since most varieties of cherries are self-sterile, it is recommended to plant pollinator plants near them.

Important! When planting a cherry orchard, the interval between trees should be at least 3 m.

How many years after planting does a cherry tree begin to bear fruit?

The season when cherries ripen comes quite early. The fruit crop produces one of the first crops among fruit trees. In the southern regions - in the Krasnodar Territory, Primorye, cherries ripen in the last days of May, and in mid-July their last harvest is harvested in almost all regions. But this garden plant is quite capricious to care for - if you do not follow agricultural practices, the harvest will be small. After planting, cherries begin to bear fruit after a few years; the exact time when the first flowering and fruit will occur depends on the varietal of the plant.

Common Cherry Pests with Photos

What are the most common pests that attack this tree?

Black aphid

One of the main pests of young plants. By sucking juices from young shoots, this pest stops the development of the seedling.

Methods for controlling aphids are described in our article.

cherry fly

An insect that lays its larvae in fruits. As the berries ripen, these larvae begin to eat the pulp of the fruit. In order to prevent the spread of this pest, first of all, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures - to clear the tree trunk of the Cherry tree from grass, weeds and other plants (this is where the Cherry fly lives).

The planting also needs to be treated against pests (only before flowering begins). If your ovaries are already infected with cherry fly larvae, treatment will not help.

American white butterfly

This pest can be found in southern latitudes. It is considered one of the most dangerous insects for Cherries, as well as for other garden trees. This butterfly is very prolific. A lot of caterpillars hatch on the crown, which are capable of destroying all the foliage in two to three days. It is very difficult to fight this pest.

Even if you have treated your trees, but the pest is with your neighbors, it will definitely return to you. But this pest lives only in some regions and is not widespread.

It is also worth noting that Cherry berries are loved by Starlings. A flock of these birds can cover the entire harvest in 2-3 hours or spoil the berries.

When do cherries bear fruit?

The cherry tree begins to bloom after the air temperature outside reaches a stable +10˚ C. The exact period of fruiting of a garden crop depends on the climatic characteristics of the region in which it grows - in different areas this outdoor temperature is observed at different times. On average, this thermometer mark is already there in mid-late April, but in the southern regions cherries will begin to bloom in the first days of April, and in the northern regions - in the first or second decade of May. Sweet cherries bear fruit approximately 2-4 weeks from the end of flowering.

When do cherries ripen?

In the vast majority of regions of the country, the fruit plant will begin to bear fruit approximately in the first days of June. This is the period of fruit ripening for those varieties of cherry trees that are classified as early ripening, while growing in the southern regions, for example, the Krasnodar Territory, Primorye or Crimea. During the first summer month, the vast majority of mid-ripe varieties begin and complete fruiting. Only late-ripening varieties of garden crops reach technical maturity in the second ten days of July.

When do early cherries ripen?

Early ripening varieties include varieties of cherry trees, the fruits of which reach technical maturity approximately in the last May, first June days.
Such cherries begin to bear fruit after 5-8 years from the moment they are planted on the site. Of all the varieties of cherry trees created by breeders with early fruit ripening, the following are popular among gardeners: The main reason for growing early ripening cherries is that they ripen virtually before any other fruit and berry crops ripen. Its fruits are juicy, large and quite sweet, they can be used for any purpose. However, the shelf life of such fruits is low, and transportability is also low. For the most part, early cherries are grown for fresh consumption. Another significant drawback is the self-sterility of the vast majority of early varieties - they require pollinating plants that grow fairly close.

When are mid-ripening cherries ripe?

Cherry trees with an average ripening period are plants from which the harvest is harvested starting in mid-June, the last fruits are collected no later than the second ten days of July. These cherries have increased commercial qualities compared to early ripening varieties. The keeping quality of such berries is good, and they are also characterized by good transportability and versatility of use. Medium-ripe cherries popular among gardeners include the following varieties:

The harvest of varieties with medium ripening periods can be used not only for fresh consumption. I often use such berries for preparing preparations for the winter - preserves, compotes, jams and syrups. However, if the outside temperature suddenly drops and late spring frosts arrive, these plants are very difficult to tolerate.

When do late cherries begin to ripen?

Late-ripening varieties of garden crops begin to bear fruit approximately in the last ten days of July.
The fruits are harvested until the last days of September. The taste and commercial qualities of cherries are high - they can be transported over long distances and they retain freshness for a long period. These varietal cherries are well suited for processing - they are often used to make jam, juices, syrups and compotes. Also, such fruits are often dried. The following varieties of cherries late in reaching technical maturity are popular among gardeners: Increased winter hardiness allows them to be grown in virtually all regions, regardless of the climatic characteristics of a particular area. However, late varieties also have disadvantages, the main of which are the need for increased care. Such varietal plants require regular feeding and treatment with drugs that prevent the development of diseases and pest attacks. Also, late-ripening varieties need additional watering during periods of drought.

Types of pruning Cherries

There are two types of procedures - forming and sanitary. Let us describe their features.

Formative pruning of the tree crown

Cherry is a fairly large, spreading tree that can grow up to 15 meters in height. In a small summer cottage without pruning, it can take up a lot of space. A neglected crown also leads to problems with pest control and harvesting.

Modern methods of formative pruning of fruit trees have not passed over this garden crop. If you have one or more Cherries planted in your garden plot, experienced gardeners suggest carrying out formative pruning in the form of a bush. There are several types of pruning for a bush, although basically they are all similar in the procedure (except for some nuances).

At the time of planting, the one-year-old seedling is pruned to a height of 50 - 60 cm. The tree begins to produce side shoots (usually four branches). A year later, these shoots are also cut at the same height from the ground (using a different method - all four branches are cut at a distance of 15 cm from the trunk). These branches will give rise to new side shoots that will begin to grow upward at the same height. This will make harvesting and treating the tree against pests easier in the future.

More about shaping trimming using the KGB system - in this video

Sanitary pruning

Light pruning can be done at any time, but heavy pruning should be done in the fall when the tree is dormant. Remove all diseased, dead and broken branches. Remove fast-growing vertical branches. Remove any shoots growing from the root under the soil. Trim branches that cross or rub, which could injure each other. Remove V-shaped branches - they cannot support the weight of the fruit.

Early spring and late summer pruning, also known as “thinning,” is intended to clear the crown of old and dead branches and improve air circulation as a preventative measure against fungal infections. We do not form a tree at this time, but only thin out the crown.

Do not remove more than one-third of the entire tree each year. Pruning should be done directly above the sprout buds or to the main branch or trunk.

What year does it bear fruit after planting?

For the most part, cherries are a self-fertile garden crop, so they definitely need pollinating plants.
These include other varieties of cherries, the flowering phase of which begins in the same period; cherry trees are also suitable. If these conditions are met, the first, albeit not very large, harvest can be harvested after the first flowers appear on the specimen. The year in which a garden plant will bear fruit depends on the varietal characteristics of a particular specimen. However, this time may come later. This is due to the fact that the cherry tree is a rather capricious plant that requires increased attention from the gardener. In order to harvest the first harvest as quickly as possible after planting, trees must be treated with special preparations that increase the plant’s immunity. Cherries also need fertilizing and regular additional watering during periods of drought.

Fruitful varieties of cherries

Do not forget that the yield of a tree largely depends not on the variety, but on the growing conditions: climate, soil composition, regularity of fertilizing, watering. Affects the yield and the method of pruning. With good care, the number of berries collected from a tree can exceed the average by several times. Among the varieties that consistently produce high yields, the following can be noted:

• Farewell.
• Yaroslavna.
• Tyutchevka.
• Cordia.
• Daibera black.
• Dzherelo.
• Franz Joseph.
• Donetsk beauty.

Why it doesn’t bear fruit and what to do

To bear fruit, cherry trees require cross-pollination with pollen from other trees. When it was not there, then we need to look for the reason. There are several such reasons - some of them are related to the lack of other pollinating plants in sufficient proximity or the lack of insects that will transfer pollen from one plant to the flowers of another. However, sometimes the reason lies in an attack by pests, a disease of a varietal plant, or a violation of agrotechnical standards by the gardener.

Poor pollination

When several cherry trees have been planted in the garden, the gardener must take into account the timing of their flowering and fruit ripening.
The main condition for the appearance of fruit ovaries is the simultaneity of the flowering phase of several plant specimens. Even plants whose flowering periods do not completely coincide are suitable for pollination. Thus, varieties of medium ripeness are able to pollinate both early-ripening and late-ripening varieties. Therefore, when there is enough space on a plot for only 3 plant specimens, gardeners usually plant a varietal tree with early, medium and late ripening periods. If we take popular varieties, then the most common option is to plant varieties Fatezh or Rechitsa, which are pollinated by Ovstuzhenka or Iput, and vice versa. At the same time, the last two varietal plants are capable of pollinating late-ripe cherries Tyutchevka and Revna, as well as in the opposite direction.

Since cherries are one of the first fruit crops to begin to bloom, they are more susceptible than others to the negative effects of returning spring frosts. In this situation, flowers sometimes simply freeze and fly away, which leads to a lack of harvest. Also, sudden night frosts in spring also affect pollinating insects. So, bees cannot fly in the cold, so the tree blooms and fruit ovaries do not appear.

Sometimes it is impossible to plant several specimens of cherries in a garden plot because there is not enough space. In such a situation, there are two ways out - the plant can be pollinated by another neighbor’s tree that grows nearby or behind the fence. The second solution is to graft branches of a different variety onto the main tree, or preferably several at the same time. As an “ambulance” measure, in the most extreme cases, it is permissible to place several flowering cut cherry branches from another tree in a bucket of water. It is placed in the middle of the crown of a garden tree without a pollinating pair. If there is no other tree that will act as a pollinator and there is nowhere to cut the branches, then the fruits on the plant will be no more than 5% of the total number of blooming flowers.

Inappropriate neighborhood

When a cherry blossoms but does not want to bear fruit, perhaps the problem lies in the wrong neighborhood. Not all trees grow well nearby. For example, walnuts absolutely cannot tolerate proximity to any fruit trees. Cherry is less capricious in this regard. However, other garden crops do not always have a good effect on its yield. So, if there is a pear or apple tree between a pair of cherry plants, then the degree of pollination decreases.

Hand pollination

If it is not possible to plant pollinators next to the cherry trees or place a bee hive nearby, cross-pollination can be done manually. Follow these tips for cross-pollinating garden crops during flowering:

• choose a sunny day without wind;
• Mark healthy self-fertile crops in the garden with colored ribbons;
• prepare small paper bags;
• manually bend the branches and shake pollen from self-fertile cherry or plum flowers into a paper container;
• close the bag tightly;
• Use a brush to pick up a little pollen material and carefully transfer it to the inflorescence of a self-sterile variety.

Practice hand pollination gradually. As soon as the flowers of cherry trees open without self-pollinating functions, begin to process 3-4 inflorescences, which bloom for at least 2 days. The event, carried out manually, will prevent the transfer of harmful flora from diseased plants and the infection of healthy tree crops.

Control measures and prevention

To solve the problem of lack of fruiting or insufficient yield of a tree, the cause of this phenomenon is first established. There are often several of them, and the primary one is the lack of pollinators. Therefore, they first solve this issue - select a suitable variety of pollinator plant for a growing low-yielding tree. When the problem is a lack of nutritional compounds in the soil, the situation is corrected with the help of fertilizing. Preparations containing boron are introduced, the lack of which leads to premature falling of flowers. However, fertilizers must be applied with caution, since excessively abundant fertilizing leads to “fatification” of the plant, which is expressed by the following manifestations:

The reason for the absence or insufficient yield is often the age of the tree, which is quite old. Old plants, as well as those that have not been pruned for a long time, bear little fruit or do not produce fruit ovaries at all. To bring such a tree back to life, it is rejuvenated by pruning. So the cherry tree will grow new shoots to replace the old ones, which have already outlived their usefulness. This measure to combat low yields is not just one manipulation; up to 30% of old branches are cut out in 1 year. When a garden crop does not produce fruit due to incorrect pruning, it will be possible to restore the yield only the next year. This speed is due to the good annual growth on the tree, since in 1 year the tree is capable of growing 0.8-1.2 m of shoots.

New varieties of cherries

Selection work does not stand still, and new specimens appear quite regularly. Some promising varieties that have recently appeared include the following:

• Madonna.
• Caucasian improved.
• Morning of Kuban.
• Sashenka.
• South.
• Ruby Kuban.
• Black eyes.
• Velvet.
• Enchantress.
• Contrasting.
• Announcement.
• Poppy.
• Scarlet.

All these varieties are the result of the work of domestic breeders, and it is possible that in the near future many of them will take their place in the gardens of our country.

Care to increase productivity

The main thing in normalizing the yield of a cherry tree is the correct selection of a place for planting a seedling, as well as compliance with agricultural techniques for growing it. For good development, cherry trees need not only timely pruning, but also periodic watering and the introduction of feeding preparations to enrich the soil with nutritional compounds. In addition, it is also necessary to correctly select the variety for cultivation, taking into account the climatic characteristics of a particular region. For good development and fruiting, there are zoned varieties, the characteristics of which were specially improved by breeders for specific growing conditions. Now zoned varieties of cherry trees, popular among gardeners, are represented by the following varieties:

Each variety is capable of growing well and bearing fruit only in the conditions under which it was bred. There are quite a few universal varieties, and for the most part they are capable of producing good yields only in the southern regions. However, sometimes even a zoned variety grows and bears fruit poorly, since the gardener does not follow the agrotechnical cultivation standards responsibly enough.

Productivity and the importance of proper planting

Incorrect placement of a cherry seedling in the garden often causes good growth, but a complete or partial absence of flowering and little fruiting.
When a fruit plant is located in an area that is not suitable for it, it will be difficult to somehow correct the situation. Thus, a cherry tree growing in the shadow of a building or in a place where groundwater comes close to the surface will bloom either extremely rarely or will never form flowers. This explains the need to plant the seedling immediately in a suitable place. In addition to the wrong site for planting, the cause can also be improper planting or excessively acidic soil. In the first case, the gardener deepens the root collar of the tree, provided that it must protrude 3-5 cm above the ground level. When the root collar is buried, the tree drops its flowers over and over again. When the soil is excessively acidified, it is deoxidized using dolomite flour or lime. The problem of incorrect planting can only be solved by replanting the tree in a new location.

Relationship between fertilizing and yield levels

Often, cherries stop bearing fruit due to insufficiently good care, and the reason is not the pruning. Agrotechnical measures must be completed on time, but it must be taken into account that excessive care for the fruit plant is also harmful. Overwatering, higher doses of fertilizing than recommended, and excessive pruning negatively affect yields. At the same time, the cherry tree, especially in the initial years of growth in the garden, needs intensive and regular feeding. It greatly consumes the nutritional resources of the soil and they need to be replenished in a timely manner. During the season, garden crops are fed several times:

In the first year of life of a fruit tree in a garden plot, it is necessary to enrich the soil with potassium compounds. They are applied in the fall at the rate of 6 g per meter of plot. Also, such fertilizing is done once every 3-4 years, in the autumn season - while digging up the earth. At the same time, add organic matter - mullein (a solution made from 1 part of manure and 10 liters of water) or humus. They require about 4-6 kg for every 1 m²

The effect of watering on fruiting

In the first year after planting a cherry seedling, the plant is watered 2 times a month; the need for regular soil moisture is determined as the top layer of soil dries.
The cherry tree is a moisture-loving garden crop, so it does not tolerate long periods of drought. If it lacks moisture, it begins to react like this: However, overwatering also has a bad effect on the condition of the fruit plant. Garden crops, when the soil moisture is excessively high, begin to hurt; often, due to overwatering, the root shoots of the cherries begin to rot. This is expressed by the general poor appearance of the tree, which not only does not bear fruit, but its leaf blades also look lethargic and faded.

How are pruning and yield related?

The cherry tree grows extremely quickly, so its crown thickens in the absence of regular pruning.
When the density of branches is excessive, fruiting is weak. Therefore, garden crops require pruning – formative, rejuvenating and sanitary. The formative type of pruning is a manipulation performed by a gardener for young specimens. With its help, a powerful tree skeleton is formed from the main shoots. During formative pruning, weakened, dried out branches that thicken the crown and interfere with the development of the central conductors are cut off. Sanitary pruning is performed every year, in the first days of spring - before the start of sap flow. If this time was missed, then such manipulation is performed already in the autumn season, just before winter. During manipulation, damaged, broken, dried out, excessively weak and rotten shoots are cut off. This will prevent the tree from weakening due to damaged branches, which simply draw off its forces.

Anti-aging pruning is a manipulation that is performed on old specimens of cherry trees, which have already begun to bear fruit poorly, and the harvest is mainly represented by small berries. In such a situation, all old branches are cut to 50% of their original length. As a result, the plant begins to grow new shoots, from which the gardener will then form a good crown. Tree rejuvenation is carried out in the winter season. After any pruning, all cut areas must be treated with garden pitch or crushed charcoal (activated) charcoal.

The influence of pests and diseases on fruiting

Often, cherries produce a poor harvest due to attack by harmful insects.
The main danger to this garden crop is aphids. A fruit tree that is damaged by insects begins to develop slowly, the foliage flies off, and the cherry drops its fruits while still unripe. To solve pest problems, the cherry tree is sprayed with the following means: Quite often, the fruit crop suffers from fungal diseases. Such diseases are one of the common reasons for lack of harvests. When the crown is thickened or humidity is high, fungi develop extremely quickly. To solve this problem, garden trees need preventative treatment. To do this, cherries are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (1%). Sanitary pruning and regular inspections are also required; during these, shoots damaged by the fungus are identified and cut off.

Cherries bear fruit well, but in most cases the harvest is finished in the first summer month. Young trees begin to bear fruit on average at 4-6 years of age, but some varieties produce the first berries after 3-4 years. Although, certain high-yielding varieties, from 1 copy of which about 100 kg of berries are harvested, bear fruit only 9-10 years from the moment of planting. If you do not take care of the trees, the volume of berries collected will be small or there will be no harvest at all. But you also shouldn’t be overly zealous in caring for it – this also has a bad effect on the plant’s productivity.

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Most common questions

Cherry varieties

People who want to grow a plant such as cherries in their gardens have a huge number of questions, this is not only when the cherries ripen. The answers to them will help you preserve the tree in winter and get from it not only a tasty, but also a rich harvest.

Cherry yield per tree

Interesting! Cherry is an unpretentious tree that is characterized by good immunity to many diseases and high yields. With good care, the yield from one cherry tree for 5 years can be up to 150 kg. But this is the maximum figure - as practice shows, in fact, on average, the yield reaches from 25 to 60 kg.

How to increase cherry yields

This point is probably the most important for any gardener, since most fruit crops are planted to obtain a harvest: the higher it is, the better. WITH

There are 4 main conditions that must be met in order to increase the yield on your site:

1. Choose the right cherry variety. It is very important not only to choose a variety suitable for the area in which the cherries will grow, but also to choose the right neighbors. Since this crop is self-sterile, you will need to plant at least two varieties on the site at once. It is important to take into account the timing of maturation. Either early with mid-season, or mid-season with late should grow side by side. But early and late will not give the desired result, since due to different flowering times, pollination will not occur. You can plant all three types.
2. Deoxidize the soil. A crop such as cherry prefers soil with low acidity for germination. To do this, you need to add lime to the soil. For light types of soil, take 300-400 grams for each square. For heavier options, you will need to add up to 800 grams. lime for each square.
3. Choose the right area. The place where the tree will grow must be dry. If groundwater is located closer than 1.5 meters, you may not expect a harvest. Therefore, it is better to plant cherries at higher elevations. To protect the root system from excess melt moisture and snow, drainage holes should be dug around the plantings, about 60-80 cm deep.
4. Get regular haircuts. Cherries at a young age very actively grow up to 120 cm. But often the tops of the tree freeze over in winter, and the berries do not have time to ripen in summer, especially in colder regions. In order not to cut off the dry, frozen tops in the spring, you can pinch the ends of the shoots in the summer when the young tree reaches 70-80 cm. After this procedure, the side shoots will begin to grow more actively, which will make the crown denser.

Such simple measures will help you get the desired harvest every year.

Cherry pruning

Fertilizers to increase productivity

To increase the yield of a fruit tree, fertilizers containing predominantly nitrogen components should be applied in late spring. After flowering, it is better not to use them so that the plant does not grow after active rains. During the formation of berries and their ripening, it is best to apply potassium and phosphorus compounds to the root zone.

For your information. Biostimulants will help strengthen the tree’s immunity, which will have a beneficial effect on plant growth.

How to preserve the harvest and protect it from birds

Often, having organized proper care for the plant, you cannot enjoy the ripe, tasty berries, since there are more active berry harvesters. These are starlings and thrushes, which can harvest from a tree literally in a day. They notice much faster than the owner that the cherry is ripe.

Starlings on the cherry tree

On a note. To protect the berries from intensive picking by birds, repellent structures should be placed on the tree in advance. These can be bright reflective tapes or CDs.

But it is best to use a net that is covered with a tree. It is preferable to choose a fishing net with small mesh. Tall stakes or poles are dug around the cherry tree and wire is attached to them. A net is thrown over her.

Cherry is a very tasty berry, which by its nature belongs to the southern plants. But today there are a huge number of varieties that grow well in regions with colder climates. True, when choosing a type of crop, you should take into account not only when the berry ripens, but also when the cherry leaves. If you follow the simplest rules of agricultural technology, it is very easy to get a good, tasty harvest.

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Correct fit

In order for cherries to begin to bear fruit on time and produce tasty fruits, planting should be carried out according to certain rules.

The tree needs fertile soil and maximum sunlight.

If you neglect these recommendations and place the seedling in the wrong place, you may not expect a timely harvest.

There are a few more basic rules to consider when planting a tree.

What are the methods of propagation of Cherries?

There are two types of Cherry propagation - by seeds or cuttings (grafting). The first method is rarely used and is due to the fact that the seeds rarely carry the varietal characteristics of the parent plant. This method can be used to obtain rootstocks.

Reproduction by grafting is used everywhere and has several techniques. We will describe the features and description of this method of reproduction in another article. We invite our readers to familiarize themselves with this video, which describes in detail two methods of grafting Cherry cuttings.

Care for better fruiting

If a cherry tree does not bear fruit for a long time, it requires more attention from the gardener. If you follow all the rules for planting and caring, you can grow a tree that will delight you with tasty and juicy fruits every year. It is worth paying attention to the care recommendations.

Watering is carried out at intervals of 14 days. Excess moisture leads to the fact that the roots of the plant begin to rot. As a result, the tree ceases to function normally (the number of ovaries and shoots decreases), which affects the timing of fruiting.

A few days before watering, it is recommended to apply fertilizer to the soil. Preference should be given to combined fertilizers. For the first time, you can feed the crop with organic substances. For this, humus is used (calculated at 2 kg per 1 m2). The second time, feeding is carried out using a solution of superphosphate (50 g per 10 l of water) or ammonium nitrate (30 g per 10 l of water).

For maximum yield, the crowns are often watered with a honey solution. Bees flock to the sweet taste and pollinate the plant.

To avoid invasion of parasites and diseases, it is advisable to spray the crop with a solution of urea (30 g per 10 l of water) or copper sulfate (10 g per 10 l of water).

During care, it is recommended to pay attention to the place where the cherry is grown, its appearance and climatic conditions. In hot regions of the country, watering is carried out much more often as the soil dries out, and fertilizing should be lighter. At such moments, the same solutions are used, only their concentration should be 2 times less.

Cherry tree diseases with photos and names

Let us list and describe the most common diseases of this garden crop.

Moniliosis

Like other stone fruit trees, Cherry is susceptible to a disease called Moniliosis. Infection occurs through the flower and leads to the drying out of the entire shoot.

If a disease is detected, the tree must be immediately treated with 1% Bordeaux mixture or other modern drugs for Moniliosis. In addition, it is necessary to immediately prune the affected branches with a reserve for living wood.

Clusterosporiasis

Another common disease of stone fruit crops. Small brown spots (2 to 5 mm in diameter) form on the leaves, which fall out after a week.

Infected cherry leaves become covered with these holes. This hole spot can affect not only the foliage, but also the shoots, causing them to die over time. This fungal disease can be controlled using modern fungicides.

Coccomycosis

A disease with similar symptoms is spots on the leaves of the tree that begin to fall off, leaving Cherry without nutrition. Less commonly, fruits and stems are affected. You can often find leaves infected with this disease during prolonged wet seasons.

Bordeaux mixture or a preparation containing copper can resist this scourge. The planting must be treated before the buds open.

Gum formation or gommosis

This phenomenon on tree trunks is caused by various factors - climatic conditions, exposure to pests (buff leafhopper), mechanical damage. At the same time, a thick sticky liquid (gum) is released on the trunks.

Photo of gum

This is not a big problem for the tree; it will protect itself from this. But, if you decide to help Cherry, this wound must be completely cleaned down to the trunk and treated with a 3% solution of copper sulfate or a fungicide.

Nutrient deficiencies of iron and manganese can cause leaves to turn yellow with green streaks.

Ripening dates by region

The ripening period of cherries directly depends on the region of growth. The climate has a direct influence - the colder it is, the later the berries will ripen. In this case, you need to choose frost-resistant varieties.

Winter-hardy subspecies are planted in the Moscow region and the middle zone. The fruiting period of cherries may vary. At the beginning of summer, Homestead yellow, Iput, Ovstuzhenka are ready for harvesting. From mid-late plants, Fatezh is grown in the Middle Zone. Sweet cherries produce a harvest in July.

In the Central Black Earth region, the planting produces its first harvest in the first ten days of June. At this time, Iput, Ariadna, and June will be ready for collection. At the beginning of July, Baby, Strawberry, and Joy ripen in the region. The latest type is Poetry.

In the southern regions, the fruits ripen faster. This is due to the warm climate. There are no sharp temperature fluctuations. There the berries can be picked already at the end of May. In Crimea and other southern regions, species that ripen in the Moscow region in July are ready for harvest in June. Cherries ripen until August in the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea. Late species produce a harvest in mid- and late August.

The northern regions have a cold climate. There are harsh winters and short summers. The cherry season in Russia (Northern part) begins in June.

In Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, the season begins in May. Flowering time is also earlier. In Belarus the period is similar to the Moscow region.

The ripening of cherries in Russia in 2022 depends not only on the climate, but also on the subspecies. Plants are:

After planting, cherries do not bear fruit immediately. Harvest formation begins after 3-5 years.

Early maturing

Such cherries begin to bloom earlier than others. Early ripening plantings produce a harvest in May-June. These include:

Such berries are poorly transported and are not intended for long-term storage. The fruits are consumed fresh. Can also be used for canning.

Mid-season

Cherries ripen in June-July. Mid-season varieties include:

Eat fresh or canned. They have thick skin, the pulp is easily separated from the stone. The fruits are well transported. Designed for long-term storage.

Late

Late cherries ripen in August-September. These types include:

The berries have a high shelf life. Fruits can be transported over long distances. These plantings are the most frost-resistant and can be selected for northern regions.

Separation of cherry varieties according to taste characteristics

Cherry fruits contain sugar and organic acids, depending on the concentration of which the taste of the berries will vary from sweet and sour to sweet. Sweeter ones are used fresh, for the production of juices and in winemaking; berries with sourness are often preserved by adding one or another percentage of sugar.

Which cherries are the most delicious and sweet?

There are no comrades for taste and color, so the most delicious cherries probably do not exist. Among the varieties that have the highest tasting rating for taste, the following can be distinguished (table).

The sweetest are Yaroslavna and Ovstuzhenka, having 14.2 and 13% sugar content, respectively.

What year does it bear fruit after planting?

It will take some time after landing. The seedling must adapt to new conditions and form. When figuring out what year cherries begin to bear fruit, you need to take into account the variety of the planting.

A cherry seedling will begin to bear fruit in 3-5 years. Columnar plantings produce the earliest harvest.

When the tree blooms

The tree is one of the first to bloom in spring. Flowering also directly depends on the chosen variety. Sometimes cherries bloom in the second year after planting. This is the minimum period. In most cases, the first flowers appear only at 4-5 years.

You need to find out in advance how many years the tree will bloom and bear fruit. Some varieties do this only in the 7-10th year of growth. Fruiting in this case will be late.

Why doesn't the seedling bloom?

The plant does not always begin to bear fruit after planting. It happens that a plant has no flowering at all. This is usually the result of severe frost. The plant may suffer from return frosts.

Flower buds will not set. The causes of the violation also include improper care. Lack of flowering may be the result of planting the wrong variety.

The problem is solved with fertilizers.

Why don't fruits set?

It happens that a plant blooms, but there is no harvest. You need to figure out what to do if the cherry blossoms but does not bear fruit. A common cause is return frosts, when frost damages flowers.

Insects are important for some subspecies. If there are few or no pollinators, there will be no harvest. Usually bees do not fly when there is frequent rainfall.

When deciding whether a cherry tree needs a pair, take into account the species. Self-fertile varieties do not depend on insects or other trees. Additional pollinators are recommended to increase yield.

Self-sterile varieties do not bear fruit on their own. Be sure to plant a pollinator on the site. Iput is perfect. When an additional pollinator is available, the trees increase their yield.

You can also graft another variety onto cherries. This will save space on the site, but will create an additional pollinator. The procedure also helps to collect several subspecies of crops from one plant at once.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

To plant their own seedlings on the territory, experienced gardeners use seed material from cherry trees, which are characterized by resistance to disease and produce a rich harvest. Seedlings grown from seeds taken from fruits are used as seeds.

Follow the algorithm for obtaining self-sterile cherry seedlings:

• Provide a warm, well-lit place at home or on the balcony;
• prepare a fertile substrate, disinfect it by steaming or calcining, pour plenty of water at room temperature;
• In planting containers with a volume of at least 500 ml, place a drainage layer 3-4 cm high (sawdust, fine expanded clay);
• fill the pots with prepared soil;
• select seeds from intact ripe fruits;
• place the seeds in a container with water and fungicide for a day;
• place the drupes in moistened soil to a depth of 0.8-10 mm so that you can observe the germination process;
• water regularly with settled water;
• As the seedlings grow, transplant the plants into larger pots.

If you plant seeds in a seedling box, maintain a distance of 15 cm between the holes. To speed up germination, cover the ground with plastic wrap and ventilate the planting regularly. It will take 1.5-2 years to grow seedlings.

How to increase productivity

It is impossible to say unambiguously how many years a plant bears fruit. It is necessary to take into account the type, region of growth and care. With proper care, the planting will produce crops for as long as possible. On average, a tree stops forming ovaries for 20-25 years.

To increase productivity, an additional pollinator must be planted on the site. You also need:

When choosing a seedling, you should consider the location. For Siberia and the Middle Zone, frost-resistant varieties are chosen.

The cherry is one of the first to ripen, but only if it has been provided with everything necessary for development.

Cherries are valued for their excellent taste and early ripening. Its delicious fruits open the fruit season already in May.

Popular varieties of cherries

The popularity of a particular cherry variety is often dictated by the climatic conditions of the region, and not by the preferences or wishes of the gardener. Therefore, frost-resistant varieties such as Revna, Iput, Fatezh, Ovstuzhenka, Tyutchevka are popular in the Central region and the Volga region. These same varieties are preferred by gardeners in Siberia and the Urals.

In more southern regions the choice is wider. This crop is grown there not only for personal consumption, but also for commercial purposes. Therefore, preference is given to large-fruited varieties with good resistance to transportation: Yaroslavna, Krupnoplodnaya, Annushka, Druzhba, Regina, etc.

Peculiarities of flowering and fruiting of cherries

Cherry is one of the main fruit crops in Ukraine and the southern regions of Russia. In the south (in the black earth regions and the Black Sea region), the cherry tree grows as a large tree, up to 25–35 meters in height (in gardens when pruned to 6–8 meters), and lives up to 100 years. Trees begin to bear fruit 4–6 years after planting and produce commercial crops for up to 30–40 years. In favorable climatic conditions, cherry trees bear fruit annually. The harvest from one tree reaches 40–50 kg of fruit.

In the south, cherries grow into large trees

Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring at the same time as the leaves bloom. Cherry flowers are pollinated by bees, so for good fruit set, warm sunny weather is necessary, favorable for the activity of pollinating insects. Frosts kill flowers and ovaries. Protective measures such as smoke are ineffective in practice; it is much more productive to cover flowering trees with agrofibre during freezing.

Most cherry varieties are self-sterile, so for cross-pollination you need to plant trees of 2-3 different varieties nearby that bloom at the same time.

Cherry flowers are pollinated by bees

Dates of flowering and ripening of cherries by region - table

Self-fertile cherry varieties

The term “self-fertility” is practically not applicable to most cherry varieties. This plant does not pollinate itself and requires nearby pollinating trees for normal fruiting. However, many still use this characteristic when describing.

What does “self-fertile cherry variety” mean?

A tree that bears 15–40% of the total number of flowers is considered self-fertile. If the number of ovaries is less than 4%, the plant is considered self-sterile. Intermediate values ​​allow the variety to be called partially self-fertile.

Numerous experiments carried out with various varieties of cherries did not reveal self-fertility above 35%. The main mass has a significantly lower percentage (5–10), which allows us to speak of them only as partially self-fertile.

Self-pollinating cherry varieties

There are not many varieties of cherries that can produce crops without cross-pollination. Here are some of them:

• Bereket.
• Valery Chkalov.
• Horny goat weed.
• Danna.
• Pridonskaya.
• Homestead yellow.