What is the Rossoshanskaya black cherry variety?

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: description of the variety

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: photo of the variety

This subspecies of cherry appeared as a result of planting an open-pollinated subspecies of this crop at the Rossoshan station named after A.Ya. Voronchichina. They say that such a seedling is a black commodity, since the external characteristics of the fruits and trees of these two subspecies are largely similar. Since 1986, this cherry variety has been successfully grown in the Central, Lower Volga, and North Caucasus regions of Russia. At this time, the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety is actively planted not only in private gardens, but also on an industrial scale. This variety is especially grown in the Rostov and Volgograd regions, as well as in the central regions of Russia, where chernozem soils predominate.

Black Rossoshanskaya cherry has an average height of about 4 meters, pyramidal-shaped foliage with a wide base. A distinctive feature of this plant is its rather small canopy foliage, and over the years the canopy of this crop becomes even more bare. The trunk of this tree is endowed with dark gray bark, a smooth and almost crack-free surface. The shoots of the plant are straight, although in rare cases they may have a slight curvature. On young shoots, the bark is brown-green in color, then becomes gray, and there are also longitudinal stripes at the base. The leaves of this variety are oval in shape and have a slightly pointed tip. The length of the leaf can reach 10 centimeters, and the width – up to five centimeters. Also, like most subspecies of this crop, the upper leaves have a glossy surface and a bright green tint, but under the leaves they are slightly pubescent and grayish in color. The inflorescence, in most cases, consists of two flowers, although there are also inflorescences consisting of one or three flowers. At the beginning of the flowering period, the flowers are white, and towards the end of flowering they change shade to pink. The fruits of Rossoshanskaya bird cherry have a round shape, with slight compression on the sides. Each of these berries can weigh about 4.5 grams. These berries are endowed with an intense dark cherry shade of the peel, almost black. Inside the fruit is quite juicy, fleshy and dense. The taste of Rossoshanskaya cherries is sweet, with a slight sourness, due to which this subspecies is actively used in the preparation of compotes on an industrial scale.

History of selection and region of breeding

According to some data, the parent varieties are Shirpotreb Cherny and Rossoshanskaya.
The new species was obtained by sowing an open-pollinated local variety at the Rossoshan Experimental Station named after. A. Ya. Voronchikhina. By the way, the varieties Nadezhda and Chernaya Krupnaya belong to the hand of this breeder, after whom the station is named.

After breeding, black Rossoshanskaya cherry became widespread in household and industrial areas.

Since 1986, the Lower Volga region , as well as the North Caucasus and Central Black Earth regions, have become the main areas in which this variety is cultivated.

Morozovka, Pamyati Enikeev, Zhivitsa and Turgenevka also grow successfully in these regions.

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: characteristics

To characterize the subspecies of this culture, the following criteria are used:

• Duration of flowering and fruiting.
• Immunity to diseases and resistance to attacks by harmful insects.
• Weather resistance level.
• Harvest volume.

Let us examine in more detail the characteristics of the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety.

• Frost resistance, drought resistance.

The Rossoshanskaya cherry variety is endowed with a high level of frost resistance, tolerates low air temperatures with minimal losses, and no more than 10 percent of cases of freezing of flower buds have been identified. As for the level of drought resistance of this plant, it is slightly above average. With a prolonged lack of liquid and a complete lack of watering procedures, the plant may die. In general, the fairly high level of resistance of this subspecies to the dry season and frost allows this plant to be grown in many regions of our country, as well as in the CIS countries.

• Flowering time, pollination, ripening period.

Black Rossoshanskaya cherry is a representative of a self-pollinating subspecies, although to obtain the greatest volume and quality of the harvest, it is necessary to plant other pollinating varieties next to this plant. Compared to other subspecies of this crop, the flowering period begins late, and the fruit ripening begins in late June.

• Fruiting and productivity.

The first fruiting of the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety begins three to four years after planting. At this time, up to 4 kilograms of berries can be removed from each plant. The harvest grows at a rather slow pace, so, for example, by the 9th year of a plant’s life, you can get about 12 kilograms of berries. A distinctive feature of the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety is the shelf life of the berries on the tree. If the fruits are collected together with the stems, the berries can retain commercial quality for a long time.

• Fruit applique.

Due to its high technological characteristics, such as sugar percentage, taste, internal density and others, this subspecies has long been used for the production of compotes, jams, juices and on an industrial scale.

• Immunity to diseases and pests.

The Rossoshanskaya cherry variety has a low or medium level of resistance to diseases such as coccomycosis and hyoidosis. For leaves and shoots of this subspecies, treatment procedures should be carried out regularly with preventive measures.

Characteristics of the variety

• The precociousness of Rossoshanskaya black is quite high. Plants grafted on antipka begin to bear fruit 3–4 years after planting in a permanent place;
• Cherry blossoms bloom late, so there is no reason to fear return frosts;
• Fruit ripening period is early-medium. In the south of the Central Black Earth District, harvesting can begin in the third decade of June;
• The yield is increasing, but not very quickly. In 3 years, you can collect 3–4 kg of berries from a tree; the yield for the first 4 years is about 5.5 kg. At the age of 6 - 11 years, this figure is 15.3 kg; in the most successful years, 20 - 25 kg are collected from one tree;
• after ripening, the berries do not fall off, which is very suitable for summer residents who visit the plots only on weekends;
• For the south of the Central Black Earth Region, the winter hardiness of cherries is very high. Even in unfavorable winters, the average freezing level was only 1 point. Over 10 years of studying the variety, freezing of generative buds amounted to no more than 10%;
• drought resistance of the plant is moderate;
• Rossoshan black's disease resistance is not very high. If the weather is cool and rainy during flowering, the tree may be significantly susceptible to moniliosis. Coccomycosis can cause moderate or severe harm;
• the fruits are highly marketable and can withstand transportation over long distances;
• The method of using the crop is universal. Cherries have a pleasant taste and are used in their natural form. The variety is well suited for processing into jam, compotes, marmalade, and liqueur. Thanks to the dense pulp, the fruits are perfectly preserved. The technological qualities of the berries are rated very highly: the assessment of compotes over the last 8 years of study averaged 4.7 points for the appearance of the product, and 4.3 points for taste.

Read also: Tomato Pride of the Feast: characteristics of the variety, description, reviews, productivity
Black Rossoshanskaya is partially self-fertile. To help a species reach its full potential, it is recommended to plant suitable pollinators nearby that bloom at the same time as the species being described.

Advantages and disadvantages

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: photo of the variety

The main advantages of the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety are:

• High technological characteristics of the fruit.
• Possibility of long-term storage of fruits during long-term transportation.
• Cold tolerance and can be grown in many areas.
• Compactness of the crown and the tree itself.
• Self-pollination.

The disadvantages of the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety include the following:

• Quite slow yield growth.
• Low level of immunity to diseases and harmful insects.

It is worth noting that even because this variety is considered self-pollinating, experienced gardeners recommend planting other varieties next to this tree for a more abundant and better harvest.

The advantages of black cherries of this variety include:

1. Average winter hardiness of trees. They easily tolerate frosts ranging from -30 to 35 ᵒC.
2. Early consumer ripeness of berries. The harvest can be harvested as early as the end of June, and the berries ripen almost simultaneously.
3. Sweet and sour taste with high sugar content. Experts rate it 4.5 points.
4. Versatility. The berries are good both in their pure form and as part of compote, fruit drinks, jam, preserves, etc. There is also experience in drying these cherries.
5. A bright and delicate aftertaste that lasts for several minutes.

This variety is classified as partially self-fertile, and if you want to get a big harvest, take care of pollinators. You can enjoy the first berries already 3–4 years after planting, and although the tree increases its yield relatively slowly, in the most favorable years you can collect 20–25 kg of large berries, reaching 5 g in weight from one bush.

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: planting

Rossoshanskaya black cherry, although it is a variety resistant to low air temperatures, quite severe frosts can lead to the death of most of the buds. Therefore, it is imperative to choose the right place and time for planting this plant.

Just like other fruit plants, or rather most of them, the best time to plant this tree is spring. Thanks to this, it will be possible to prevent freezing of young shoots that are not yet sufficiently strong.

When choosing a site for planting a young tree, you need to remember and know the following features:

• This plant prefers to grow in clay or sandy soils.
• The site for the future growth of this tree must be protected from the north from cold and winds.
• Groundwater must be at a depth of at least one and a half meters from the soil surface.
• The place where the seedling is planted should not be in a lowland.

In addition, it is worth remembering that this plant must be located at a distance of at least two meters from buildings and other trees. The best option for planting this tree would be on a small hill near a brick wall or fence, where heat can accumulate during the day.

Black Rossoshanskaya cherry grows quite well near other fruit trees, but it is better not to plant this plant near nightshades and large trees, for example, linden, birch, and oak. This culture also does not like neighboring berry bushes, such as gooseberries and raspberries.

Before buying a seedling, be sure to carefully examine it not only externally, but also for the condition of the root system and stems. The shoots of this plant should be flexible, there should be no folds or cracks. The rhizome of the plant should be without swelling, fairly well developed and formed. Before the planting procedure, it is worth removing all broken and damaged branches, as well as shoots that grow towards the roots of the plant.

Rules for planting Rossoshan cherries:

• A layer of mulch is placed on top within a radius of one meter around the tree. Sawdust is suitable as mulch. Thanks to this, the slightest evaporation of liquid will occur and the soil will dry out.
• In the middle of the hole you need to drive a peg, near which a seedling of this crop is placed. After this, the root system of the plant is carefully straightened and sprinkled with earth.
• If the soil is heavy enough, it should be mixed with sand. This will ensure good drainage.
• A hole for seedlings is dug in advance. It should be at least 65 centimeters wide and about 45 centimeters deep. This planting hole should be watered with 12 liters of water and left until completely absorbed.

It must be said that if the upper part of the seedling dries out, then it is allowed to cut it back to living tissue, but no longer than the aunt in length. Once the young plant is planted, its root collar should be approximately 4 inches above ground level. After planting the plant, it should be watered well, and the tree itself should be tied to a peg.

Growing technique, planting and subsequent care

Gardeners who decide to grow Black Rossoshanskaya should familiarize themselves with the peculiarities of planting and growing this tree.

Optimal soil types

Loamy soil is suitable for growing cherries in arid regions

Soils that have the following characteristics are suitable for growing this fruit tree:

• Granulometric properties. In areas where the climate is too dry, cherries should be grown in light loamy soil. If the region often rains and has high humidity, use sandy loam soil.
• Acidity level. The optimal acidity level for normal tree growth is 6-7 pH.
• Presence of humus. Rossoshanskaya Chernaya is not demanding on soil fertility and therefore will bear fruit when grown in soil with a small amount of humus.

Important! When choosing a suitable place to plant cherries, you need to pay attention to the level of soil moisture. It should not be over-moistened.

Reproduction methods

There are three most common methods of propagating cherries:

• By cuttings. For further planting, shoots that have begun to turn red and harden at the base are selected. They are cut off and immediately placed in a container of water. To accelerate the development of the root system, heteroauxin or any other growth stimulant is added to the water. When the roots become stronger, the cuttings are planted in the ground. It needs to be planted in pre-prepared planting holes 5-7 centimeters deep.
• Bones. Many gardeners use this particular method of propagating cherries. The seeds need to be washed and placed in potassium permanganate for 1-2 hours. They are then placed in a moist environment to germinate. In a month they can be planted in a permanent place of growth.
• Overgrowth. Healthy and strong offspring are selected for planting, which will quickly take root in a new place. Two-year-old mature shoots are considered the best planting material. They are carefully cut off with a shovel, separated from the mother tree and placed in water for a month for rooting. Then the strengthened shoots are planted in the ground.

Planting seeds is the most common way to propagate cherries.

Pruning and crown formation

Like most fruit-bearing trees, Rossoshanskaya Chernaya needs pruning. This must be done annually, when many small shoots appear on the trunk.

In this case, you only need to remove branches that grow in the direction of the crown. Removal of large shoots is carried out in early spring, before buds appear.

Important! When pruning, you need to ensure that the trunk is not shorter than 40 centimeters.

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: care

Caring for the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety includes such actions as: watering, constant loosening of the soil, weeding and preventive measures against diseases and harmful insects. It is also worth following the procedure for pruning young shoots. Approximately 40 centimeters of the trunk above the soil surface should be completely bare, without branches. Watering of this crop is required abundantly, four times throughout the growing season: after the flowering period, during fruit set, after harvesting most of the harvest and closer to mid-October. For each of these waterings you need to spend at least 10 liters of liquid. For such a plant, lime must be added to the soil every six years. And before planting a tree, you should add potassium and organic matter to the soil for good and quick rooting.

Subsequent care of the crop

All care for cherries consists only of watering, regularly loosening the soil, removing weeds, as well as preventing diseases and pests.

You also need to be careful about pruning new shoots. Approximately 40 cm of the trunk above ground level should be completely bare, without any branches.

Black Rossoshanskaya cherries should be watered abundantly 4 times during the entire growing season: after flowering, during fruit set, after harvesting the bulk of the harvest, and then in mid-October. Each watering should require at least 10 liters of water.

Additionally, approximately once every 5-7 years you need to add lime to the soil. And for better rooting, it is best to add organic fertilizers and potassium chloride before planting.

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The main pests and diseases affecting this cherry variety are presented in the table.

One of the best ways to prevent many diseases is a timely and detailed inspection of the tree for the presence of pests, fungus or other signs of damage to the cherry. Also, all diseased branches and leaves must be cut off and burned to prevent the spread of the disease.

Diseases and pests

Black Rossoshanskaya cherry can tolerate some infections and pest attacks. The most common and dangerous:

• Caterpillars and green aphids. When these pests attack, you can see gnawing marks on the leaves. You should constantly carefully inspect the plant and remove such insects, if any.
• Moniliosis. It manifests itself as burns on the bark, leaves and branches of the tree. To combat, the plant is treated with fungicides, and all infected shoots and foliage are burned.
• Cocomycosis. It manifests itself as a fairly rapid change in the shade of the leaves to yellow and the further falling of this foliage. The causative agent of this disease is a fungus, which most often appears and spreads due to excess moisture. Therefore, be sure to check the watering regime. To combat this disease, a procedure of spraying with a copper solution is used.

The best method for preventing most diseases is considered to be a timely, high-quality inspection of the plant for signs of disease, fungus and the presence of insects. If diseased branches and leaves are found, they must be removed and disposed of by burning to prevent the spread of the disease.

Features of cultivation

Planting and caring for cherries of this variety is not difficult; the main thing is to find an open, sunny place that would be protected from cold winds on the north side. Cherries do not like too wet soil, but its acidity should be close to neutral.

Read also: Growing strawberries using Dutch technology

Feels best in sandy or loamy soil. When rooting a seedling, do not forget to enrich the soil with organic fertilizers, potassium chloride and superphosphate. In the future, the soil needs to be fertilized periodically, and lime must be added every 5–6 years.

Water your young tree, prune it in a timely manner, protect it from pests and diseases, especially this variety, which has poor resistance to fungal infections, and recommend this variety to your friends and acquaintances on social networks.

Rossoshanskaya black cherry: reviews from gardeners

Black Rossoshanskaya cherry is rightfully considered one of the most delicious and attractive. Due to its level of frost resistance and short dry periods, this plant can be grown in a variety of climates. In addition to all this, the fruits of this variety have a long shelf life and high technological characteristics, due to which this subspecies is used on an industrial scale. Now on the Internet you can see a huge number of reviews about this subspecies. Here are some of them:

“I decided to buy the Rossoshanskaya cherry variety and immediately plant it in my garden in the spring. The first thing I noticed was the dark color of the fruit and its taste characteristics. When planting, I added organic matter and mineral fertilizers to help them take root better. I constantly trim the ends of the tree and also treat the tree for harmful insects. This plant is growing significantly in my area and I am pleased with my choice.”

Svetlana, Kaluga

“Among the huge number of different subspecies on my site there is this variety of cherry. Black Rossoshanskaya cherry is a fairly unpretentious plant, winters well and resists drought. And only with self-pollination the yield was low, so I planted other subspecies nearby. Now I am completely satisfied with Rossoshanskaya cherries.”

Olga, Belgorod

Source – https://ogorodnash.ru/vishnya-rossoshanskaya-chernaya/

Further care

For several years after planting, young trees need special care - they need to be watered more often, the trunk circles should be loosened regularly, while removing all the weeds. If the summer is dry, then such cherries need to be watered at least three times in 30 days.

Mature trees need to be watered during the formation of ovaries, when new buds are laid, in preparation of cherries for the winter period.

Once every two seasons, organic matter and a mineral complex of fertilizers are introduced into the tree trunk circles of these stone fruit crops.

In early spring, before the buds swell, sanitary pruning is performed, during which damaged, frozen shoots are removed, as well as some of the branches growing inside the tree and thickening it. Branches longer than 0.5 m are also shortened.

Sanitary pruning of cherries