Cherry Fairy: description of the variety
Felt cherry Fairy: photo of the variety
The Fairy cherry variety tree is small in size, reaching from two to three meters. The branches are strong, durable, slightly raised, the crown has the shape of a ball. The foliage is large, dark greenish in color, and the cuttings are red.
The buds are snow-white. The fruits of the Fairy cherry are pinkish in color, weighing about three and a half grams, but it happens when the fruit reaches four grams. The berry is round in shape, slightly elongated. The contents inside are light pink, tender, juicy. Fairy felt cherry berries are sweet with a hint of sourness. In terms of taste it gets four point three points. The fruit stem is small in size and not wide.
Felt cherries of the Fairy variety are recommended to be planted in the Central Black Earth Region.
Description of culture
Fairy cherry forms a low tree that grows up to 2-3 m. The branches of medium thickness and density form a raised spherical crown. The elliptical, dark green leaves are not large in size; they are attached to the shoots with reddish petioles.
White large flowers turn into pink one-dimensional fruits. Their size is average - only 3.3-3.5 g, rarely - up to 4 g, shape - round, slightly elongated. The pulp of the Fairy cherry is pinkish-yellow, tender, with a lot of juice. Tasting assessment of sweet and sour fruits – 4.3 points. The peduncle is short, of medium thickness.
The Fairy cherry variety is recommended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region.
Cherry Fairy: characteristics of the variety
Tolerance of many diseases, drought, and frost is possible only on fertile soils. Felt cherry Fairy can be grown in the Central Black Earth areas. When planting a variety in cooler areas, a large amount of care is required.
Drought and frost resistance of the Fairy cherry variety
The Fairy cherry's drought tolerance is average. You should not over-water it, especially on hot summer days.
In the Central Black Earth Region, the felt cherry Fairy tolerates the cold season well, resistant to temperatures down to minus twenty-seven degrees. At lower temperatures, the tree may be injured.
The period of flowering and ripening of the Fairy cherry
The mid-early Fairy cherry in the northern territories during the inflorescence period does not tolerate spring frosts. When susceptible to rodents, only part of the fruit may be affected. The culture is self-fertile. Thus, one tree produces about fifty percent of the possible harvest. When planting Lyubskaya, Vladimirskaya or Turgenevka crops in the neighborhood, you can increase the amount of harvest. The ripening of Fairy cherry fruits ends at the end of June and beginning of July in the Central Black Earth Region.
Productivity and fruiting of Fairy cherries
Fruiting of the Fairy felt cherry is average, occurring three or four years after planting. Further fruiting is annual, on average the harvest reaches up to eighty-three centners per hectare. From one mature tree you can harvest from ten to twelve kilograms of cherries each season.
Even with a large number of its qualities, the Fairy cherry variety is not used in industry. Because the berries are poorly resistant to transportation, as well as semi-dry separation from the fruit stem.
Fruit consumption
Felt cherry Fairy is universal in use. Its advantage is that the fruit contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, approximately seventeen and a half milligrams per hundred grams. Consumption is possible both fresh and boiled. They prepare jam, compotes, wine, cocktails, and add them to desserts and cakes. The berries should be used immediately, as they will not last long after being picked.
Attention! Felt cherry Fairy is amorel, that is, when making juice, it will be yellowish in color.
Disease and pest tolerance
Like a lot of vegetation, Fairy felt cherry is also attacked by insects. But tolerance to fungal diseases is quite high, especially resistance to coccomycosis. This advantage was transferred to the Fairy cherry from the parent variety Coral.
Recommendations for caring for cherry trees of the “Fairy” variety
Cherry and its variety “Fairy” are plants that do not require much effort to carry out the work of growing trees. But to increase productivity and lifespan, minimal operations that provide decent conditions for plants will need to be performed carefully and with full responsibility. Let's look at the main ones in detail.
Watering requirements
The variety is drought-resistant, but the minimum soil moisture will need to be maintained constantly. To do this, it is enough to water the trees abundantly once every 14-15 days and after each watering, loosen the soil, remove weeds and renew the mulch layer. As bedding, you can use peat, old sawdust, or simply straw or torn weeds. The amount of watering is at least 20-30 liters per tree. In autumn, the soil around the tree trunk is loosened and a hole is made according to the size of the crown. The tree is watered with 7-8 buckets of water and mineral fertilizers.
Pruning rules
You can remove root shoots coming from the rhizome all year round. The main pruning is carried out in early spring, before the sap begins to flow. This only applies to removing thick branches and part of the trunk. Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the warm period. Young seedlings are pruned to form the crown of the tree and its skeletal branches. The number of main branches is a maximum of 8 pieces, otherwise the seedling will not be able to receive enough nutrition. The length of the central shoot should exceed the height of the skeletal branch by 200 mm.
Regardless of age, all shoots are removed in the central part; such work will ensure ventilation of the crown and access to sunlight.
All branches growing inside the tree are immediately removed - this applies to trees of any age. But no special thinning is required; “Fairy” grows with a neat and thinned crown if normal pruning is carried out in the first years of its growth.
First of all, shoots growing at the intersection or below the main branch are removed. After leaf fall, all cut branches and foliage are taken outside the dacha and burned or thrown into trash containers. Read why cherry blossoms and don’t bear fruit here.
Sanitary pruning is carried out throughout the entire period; it is necessary to remove damaged or infected branches and annual shoots - this will avoid the spread of diseases and damage to foliage and fruits by parasites.
Fertilizer application
Fertilizers will need to be applied 2 times a year:
- Spring feeding. During this period, nitrogen mineral fertilizers or a large amount of organic matter are applied. To apply, a large hole is made around the circumference of the crown, the surface is covered with fertilizer, and the soil is watered abundantly. After soaking up the moisture, the hole is filled with a layer of mulch. After each watering, undissolved granules or manure will gradually dissolve and feed the plant.
- Autumn. This is the period of introducing potassium-phosphorus mineral compounds. The work is carried out similarly with the application of fertilizers in the spring.
Young seedlings are fed at the first signs of stunted growth. Trees can be treated several times with a composition for foliar feeding. Garden stores sell ready-made balanced formulations. At intervals of 2-3 years, you will need to add up to 200 g of quicklime to the fertilizer composition. Find out when you can replant cherries using this link.
Preparing plants for wintering
This operation will only be required for young seedlings until they reach 2-3 years of age. The trunks and the beginning of the skeletal branches are wrapped with covering material or roofing felt and fixed with wire. The entire surface of the tree trunk circle is covered with a layer of straw or peat.
Experienced gardeners advise using a product to shift the flowering dates of plants. It is enough to pour a thick layer of snow around the tree trunk and compact it well. This way you can avoid early flowering and protect the crop from late spring frosts.
Advantages and disadvantages
Felt cherry Fairy: photo of the variety
Benefits of Fairy cherry:
- Excellent tolerability for coccomycosis;
- Various uses of berries;
- Tolerance to the frosty winter season;
- Excellent taste of fruits;
- Fairly good berry parameters;
- Independent fruiting;
- Harvest every season.
There is also a minus : when planting in areas with constant cold weather and poor soil, care should be much higher; when planting, it will be more difficult for the seedling to adapt to the ground. There may be consequences such as:
- Small fruits;
- Semi-dry detachment from the fruit stem;
- Instability to transportation.
Attention! Also, most people attribute the pulp of the berry to the disadvantages of the felt Fairy cherry. But, as they say, this is not for everyone.
Disadvantages and advantages
One of the main advantages of the variety is, undoubtedly, its considerable resistance to fungal diseases, in particular to coccomycosis, a disease that massively affects cherry trees. Frost resistance can also be considered one of its noticeable advantages. Cherry trees of this variety always produce a tasty harvest. The low-growing “character” of the tree makes it easier to harvest.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time and effort on the Fairy variety. The most important thing is to purchase good material and choose a suitable place for planting, as well as follow the simplest rules for caring for the seedling. The return on effort in the form of tasty fruits with juicy pulp significantly exceeds their cost.
Cherry Fairy: planting a variety
When planting Fairy cherries, make sure that the soil is saturated, this is very important for Fairy. This can be done like this: add compost and manure in large quantities to the pit.
Felt cherry Fairy planting period
Fairy cherries should be planted in the spring, until the buds open. In areas with long-term warmth without frost, they can be planted after leaf fall. If you purchased a seedling late and think that it will not have time to take root in the new soil, then it is better to dig it in. And plant it next year.
Fairy cherry planting area
The site should be sunny, but protected from strong gusts of wind. The distance from the soil to groundwater must be at least two meters. An upland with a gentle slope is ideal for the variety.
The most important thing is fertile soil. The land is improved by adding manure and compost. You can get rid of acid in the soil using dolomite flour or lime.
Which varieties can be planted with Fairy cherries and which ones cannot
Felt cherry Fairy: photo of tree
An ideal option for planting next to the Fairy variety would be such crops as: Turgenevka, Lyubskaya, Vladimirskaya. Despite the fact that the Fairy cherry variety produces fruit on its own, when additional Fairy cherry pollinators are planted, the harvest will be many times greater. Other stone fruit varieties are also planted nearby.
Attention! When planting, maintain a distance between seedlings so that tree branches do not cling to each other later.
Do not plant crops such as walnut, oak, birch, maple, or bushes with a large developing root system in the neighborhood. When planting black currants close to the Fairy variety, both crops will suffer.
How to prepare a Fairy cherry seedling for planting
Choose a seedling up to two years old. The root system must be formed, healthy, without any injuries or diseases. A one-year-old tree that has been grown correctly reaches ninety centimeters, and a two-year-old tree grows up to one hundred and ten centimeters. The shoots must be strong, the bark must be in a clean, healthy condition.
Planting algorithm
The hole should be prepared in the fall. The length and width should be up to eighty centimeters. The depth of the hole should be from forty to fifty centimeters. The soil mixture is made from soil dug out of a hole, manure, phosphorus, and potassium are added. It is mixed with sand and the acid is removed from the soil with lime. Fairy cherry planting sequence:
- A support is placed in the middle of the hole, and the seedling will be tied to it.
- Next, the bush is placed, the roots need to be distributed so that they do not cling to each other and are comfortable. Then fill the hole with soil mixture, compacting it so that there are no gaps. Make sure that the root collar is five centimeters from the ground.
- The seedling is attached to a peg.
- Next, the trunk circle is mounted.
- It is worth moistening the bush with two or three buckets of water.
- Next, you should add mulch using humus.
Characteristics and description
Cherry tree - decoration of a personal plot. From the description of the Fairy cherry variety, it can be noted that in the spring it pleases gardeners with lush flowers, and in the fall with a rich harvest. Breeders have developed many varieties that differ in size, shape, taste, and color of the fruit. Before choosing a seedling, it is important to evaluate the climate of a given region, as well as the characteristics of care.
History of selection
The variety was obtained by breeder Zhukov. Two varieties of cherries were crossed - Coral and Premiere. The variety was registered in 1993. It was entered into the State Register in 2010.
Description of the variety
The description of the variety states that the tree is frost-resistant. Cherry Fairy is a low tree with a lush, spherical crown. The foliage is medium sized and dark green in color.
Cherry blossoms are white. The fruits are pink with pinkish-yellow flesh. The cherries are very juicy and medium in size. Weight up to 4 grams. The tasting showed a rating of 4.3 points on a scale of 5 points. The peduncle is small, elongated.
Characteristics
The positive characteristics of the seedling, which are given below, are fully revealed if the tree grows on well-fertilized and fed soil.
Drought resistance
Cherries have an average degree of drought resistance. When planting a tree, daily watering is required. It is also recommended to water on hot summer days.
The tree is frost-resistant. Successfully withstands temperatures down to -27 degrees. If the temperature is below the specified value, it may harm the seedling.
Pollination
The variety is self-fertile. Therefore, the harvest will only partially depend on insects, as well as pollinators growing nearby. A lonely growing cherry produces up to 50% of the harvest. The maximum yield can be obtained if Vladimir or Turgenev cherries are planted nearby.
Has an average precociousness. A planted tree will only be able to produce its first fruits in the fourth year. Subsequently it bears fruit every year. Up to 12 kilograms of berries are harvested from one tree.
Pests attack this variety in the same way as other varietal cherries. However, the tree is highly resistant to fungal infections. This was inherited from the Coral variety.
To obtain maximum yield, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of cultivation and care.
When choosing a location, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the tree does not like damp and acidic soils. If the soil is damp, drainage needs to be done. Choose sunny places on hills; in spring there should be no stagnation of melt water.
Recommended timing
Experts recommend planting the tree in the spring, before the buds open. Spring frosts have a detrimental effect on young seedlings. In regions where frosts begin in December, you can plant a tree after the leaves fall.
When frosts are coming, and there is no confidence that the tree will have time to take root well, they dig it in. And the final planting takes place in the spring.
Planting process
You can start preparing the planting hole in the fall. Approximate size: 80 x 80 cm and 40 cm deep. The pit is filled with a fertile mixture, it consists of the top layer of soil, a bucket of humus, potash and phosphate fertilizers. Increased soil acidity can be reduced by using lime and oatmeal. To increase the looseness of the soil, sand is added.
Landing rules:
- Having made an indent from the center of the hole, you need to drive a stake, it will serve as a support for the tree.
- Place the seedling in the center and cover it with fertile mixture. Compact the soil well. It is important that the root collar is higher above ground level.
- Tie the seedling to a support.
- A root circle is made around the perimeter and a roller of earth around it. This will help retain moisture.
- Water the seedling with 3 buckets of water.
- Mulch the soil with humus.
The yield of the variety and the proper development of the tree depend on proper care.
The first time after planting, it is necessary to moisten the soil daily. After the seedling is securely fixed and the root system develops, watering is carried out as the root space dries out. The soil around the trunk must be loosened.
In late autumn, the seedling is again generously shed with water.
Top dressing
The fairy has a high need for feeding, namely, large amounts of potassium and nitrogen. Phosphorus fertilizers are also needed, but in smaller quantities. These beneficial substances are found in manure and ash. If you plan to apply mineral fertilizers, then nitrogenous ones are applied in the spring, and others in the fall.
Special fertilizers are most suitable. They are very easy to apply. It is enough to follow all the recommendations indicated on the packaging.
The Fairy variety has the following advantages:
- Drought resistance.
- Frost resistance to temperatures not lower than 27 degrees.
- Sweet and sour taste.
- Possibility of preparing different preparations.
- Resistance to fungal diseases.
Disadvantages: light color of the fruit, which is mistaken for unripe fruit; when the berry is torn from the stalk, juice appears.
The Fairy cherry variety is a low-growing tree with a spherical crown of medium density. It is frost-resistant and tolerates changes in temperature and air humidity well, which will protect the plant from freezing at the beginning of winter.
Compared to other varieties, the shoots of the Fairy tree are medium in size. Flowering occurs profusely. The inflorescences are large and will please the eye for several weeks.
Cherry has a fairly strong immune system, so there shouldn’t be any problems with diseases and pests, but if some insects attack the plant, it’s quite easy to deal with them.
Description of the fruit
The tree begins to bear fruit 3-5 years after planting. The fruits are elastic and round, pink or light red in color. Weight is about 3 g. The berries have an incredibly sweet taste with a slight sourness. The pulp is mostly yellow, but sometimes pink. The first harvest can be harvested at the end of June.
This cherry variety is not very picky, but some rules are still worth remembering. Before planting, you need to check the soil moisture, because the Fairy does not like damp places. If it is elevated, then you will have to use drainage and only then plant the plant.
First, the seedlings need support in the form of a stick, which will be attached to the trunk. It should not in any way interfere with the growth of the future tree.
For the first watering, two buckets of water are enough; as you grow, you need to increase the volume. Gardeners need to know that a year after planting, the tree needs pruning in order to form a symmetrical, beautiful crown. To grow a strong tree and get a bountiful harvest, you need to get rid of root shoots from the very first days - this contributes to the development of a strong root system.
- The fairy is precocious – it enters the fruiting period 3–4 years after planting;
- the crop ripens in early-mid or medium terms. Usually, berry picking begins at the end of June;
- the yield is good, according to the State Plant Register of the Russian Federation, 83.2 c/ha. According to other sources, up to 12 kg from one tree;
- cherry practically does not form root shoots;
- The winter hardiness of the variety is very high. As a result of the research, it was revealed that by mid-winter the plant develops high frost resistance, therefore, when the temperature dropped to -38°C, freezing of the cambium and wood was only 1 point, and vegetative buds - 2 points. The variety is also resistant to early winter frosts of -27°C;
- The plant's drought resistance is average;
- Fairy’s immunity is very good, she is especially valued for her high resistance to coccomycosis;
- due to the semi-dry detachment of the stalk, the transportability of the crop is low, as well as its keeping quality;
- The way to consume cherry fruits is universal. The berries have a pleasant taste, so they are successfully used as a dessert; processing and canning are also possible.
Read more: How to grow onions from seeds?
The variety belongs to self-fertile crops, capable of independently forming a harvest. But in order to help the Fairy reveal its full potential, you can plant Lyubskaya, Turgenevka or Vladimirskaya nearby.
History of selection
The Fairy cherry variety is represented by a low tree up to 3 meters high, with a ball-shaped crown, medium density, branches are in an elevated state. The flowers are white and large. Flowering is abundant. The stalk is shortened, medium in thickness, and has a semi-dry detachment. Fruits annually and consistently. Young plants begin to bear fruit at 3 or 4 years of age. The leaves are elliptical in shape, intense green in color, and medium in size.
The fruits begin to ripen in late June. They have a round-oval shape, are colored pink or light red, medium in size, weighing 3.5 g. The pulp of the fruit is yellow-pink in color, excellent taste, juicy, sweet and sour.
Cherry Fairy: care
Felt cherry Fairy: photo of the variety
When planting the Fairy felt cherry variety in the Central Black Earth Region, practically no care is needed. Only young seedlings should constantly moisten and loosen the soil. Next, you should water only during drought and heat. Autumn watering is required.
The crop also needs to be fed with nitrogen fertilizers and potassium. You need very little phosphorus. This can give the Fairy cherry variety organics and charcoal. If you feed with minerals, remember that nitrogen is fed in the spring, and potassium and phosphorus are fertilized in the fall. The ideal option is a special fertilizer, which can be purchased at a gardening store, and how to use can be found in the instructions for use.
Cutting branches is necessary constantly. Thus, the crop will produce a large number of high-quality berries, and will also be less affected by insects and diseases. Cutting for tree development is carried out during dormancy, and therapeutic pruning is carried out as early as possible.
When fighting the attack of hares, they use spruce branches and also cover them with agricultural fiber, bags, and netting.
Features of cultivation and care
Landing
When planting cherries, you need to take into account that it does not tolerate soils with an acidic reaction of the soil solution, as well as waterlogged soils. If the soil is waterlogged, you need to arrange drainage before planting. The acidic reaction of the soil solution can be brought to neutral using liming. Landing is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- When planting, it is important to choose the right layout for cherry trees. Cherry develops normally and bears fruit well when there is approximately 6 square meters per tree. meters of area. Therefore, it will be normal if, when planting a cherry orchard, there is a distance of 1.5 - 2 meters between the trees in the row, and leave 3 to 4 meters between the rows.
- For each cherry seedling, they dig a hole measuring 80 cm by 80 cm. The soil removed from the hole is enriched with 1-2 shovels of humus and wood ash, everything is carefully mixed and used to bury the planted seedling. The volume of soil, after adding new ingredients, increases, its excess is used to form a tree trunk circle.
- The cherry tree is planted in the middle of the hole, having previously inserted a wooden stick into it to secure the seedling. There is no need to pull the tree tightly to the stick when tying it up. This may prevent it from growing normally.
- When planting, special attention should be paid to the root collar. Under no circumstances should it be buried in the soil, but rather should rise 6-7 cm above its surface. The soil will compact over time and the root collar will take the desired position.
- The tree trunk circle should be decorated with a side made of soil, 8-12 cm high, so that water does not flow away during watering. Finally, up to 2 buckets of water are poured into each planting hole.
Trimming
In the year of planting, the seedling takes root and begins to grow well. In the first year of life, you can do without trimming the crown of a young tree. And in the spring of the second year it is necessary to begin performing formative pruning. It is used to obtain a regular and symmetrical crown, and is performed annually, before fruiting begins. When the cherry begins to bear fruit, the formative pruning is replaced with sanitary pruning.
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As mentioned above, cherry is a strong plant that is undemanding to growing conditions. But this does not mean at all that you can plant a seedling and calmly wait for the harvest. With this scenario, the cherry orchard will very quickly turn into impenetrable thickets, with a weak harvest of small berries.
Near the tree trunk, basal shoots constantly grow, which should be removed from time to time. In dry and hot summers, for normal growth and development of cherries, it will be necessary to water at the root. 2 buckets of water are poured under each tree.
after flowering, during the formation of the ovary and after harvesting. The 4th pre-winter watering is carried out only in case of a long absence of rain in the fall. In addition, the care list consists of timely fertilizing (you can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers), pruning, weeding and loosening of the tree trunk.
Fairy is an excellent variety for the central region of Russia. Unpretentious, resistant to fungal diseases and winter-hardy - these are, perhaps, the main positive qualities thanks to which the described cherry gains authority among gardeners. The disadvantages are very minor - the light color of the cherries and poor transportability due to semi-dry tearing.
This process is carried out in several stages. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Cherry loves a sunny, well-lit place. Planting in an area with constantly blowing north winds or in a draft is not allowed. The soil is preferably sandy loam, with a neutral acidity level. It is not recommended to plant on heavy clay soil or in areas with high groundwater or in lowlands where wastewater collects. For 3-5 years, it is not recommended to plant cherries in the place of an uprooted old tree.
The plant's buds will tell the gardener about the optimal time for planting. Cherries should not be planted after the soil has swelled. It is better to bury such a seedling on the site and plant it in the fall.
The optimal time for planting Fairy seedlings in the regions is in the fall in October or early November. The seedlings will overwinter and begin to develop when the first warm days arrive. By the hot period, the trees will be rooted and prepared for unfavorable conditions.
Selection of seedlings
A good seedling should have a strong, branched root system, with individual roots up to 300 mm long. It is better to choose planting material in the fall; in the spring, nurseries sell trees left over from autumn sales. An autumn purchase will allow you to assess the condition of the foliage; it should be thick and rich in color. It is not recommended to buy planting material at spontaneous markets or on the highway.
It is better to purchase a high-quality and strong “Fairy” cherry seedling, albeit at a higher cost, than to buy a weakened tree of an unknown variety for 1 ruble.
When purchasing a plant in the spring, you can easily verify its suitability - just run the back of a knife or other object and lightly remove the top layer of bark. If green streaks of fibers are visible on the scraping, it means the tree is alive and ready to plant.
Wild-grafted seedlings are preferable to own-rooted ones. They have an increased level of resistance to frost and begin to bear fruit faster.
To plant a tree, you will need to prepare a planting hole in advance at a distance of 3-4 m from neighboring plants and soil to fill it. The soil must stand. A hole is dug in the selected area, up to 800 mm deep and up to 1000 mm in diameter. When digging a hole, you need to separate the top layer of soil from the bottom. The top fertile layer is poured down the hole without preparation.
Added to the soil:
- humus or compost – 10-15 kg;
- superphosphate – 200 g;
- potassium sulphide or other potassium mineral fertilizer – 60 g;
- wood ash – 500-600 g.
Read more: Plum (cherry plum) Alyonushka: description of the variety
All ingredients are mixed and left until planting. Before planting, it is recommended to prepare a disinfectant solution, which additionally allows you to change the acidity level. A 500 g package of quicklime is stirred in a bucket of water. Water is poured into the prepared hole and then the process of planting the tree begins.
The process will require several operations:
- Before planting, the rhizome is dipped in a diluted clay solution and left to dry for 30-40 minutes - this work will save moisture in the roots. It is recommended to additionally dissolve the product to enhance root growth. Cut or damaged areas of roots are treated with a manganese solution or dipped in wood ash.
- A 100 mm layer of drainage made of old brick, expanded clay or river sand is poured onto the bottom. The hole is filled to 1/3 of its depth, then a tree trunk peg is driven in to hold the tree trunk in an upright position during the first years of its growth.
- A seedling is placed vertically in the hole and the hole is filled in small portions with prepared nutrient soil;
- Periodically, the seedling rises a little, so that loose soil with an air layer is obtained under the roots.
- The grafting site of the seedling should protrude 50-70 mm above the ground. The hole is completely filled with soil, the soil around the trunk is slightly compacted.
- Several buckets of water are gradually poured into the resulting hole, up to 40-50 mm deep, and after the soil has been saturated with moisture, the tree trunk circle is filled to the top with a layer of mulch.
- A layer of soil is poured onto the root collar until a small mound forms on it. The soil will gradually settle and to prevent the rhizome from opening, it is important to complete this stage of work.
- The tree is tied to a tree trunk peg. Its trunk and skeletal branches are cut at a level of 700-800 mm from the soil level.
The planting of the tree is completed, now you need to provide the unpretentious plant with the simplest agrotechnical care measures and provide the trees with optimal conditions for growth and fruiting.
Cherry and its variety “Fairy” are plants that do not require much effort to carry out the work of growing trees. But to increase productivity and lifespan, minimal operations that provide decent conditions for plants will need to be performed carefully and with full responsibility. Let's look at the main ones in detail.
Watering requirements
The variety is drought-resistant, but the minimum soil moisture will need to be maintained constantly. To do this, it is enough to water the trees abundantly once every 14-15 days and after each watering, loosen the soil, remove weeds and renew the mulch layer. As bedding, you can use peat, old sawdust, or simply straw or torn weeds.
Pruning rules
You can remove root shoots coming from the rhizome all year round. The main pruning is carried out in early spring, before the sap begins to flow. This only applies to removing thick branches and part of the trunk. Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the warm period. Young seedlings are pruned to form the crown of the tree and its skeletal branches.
Regardless of age, all shoots are removed in the central part; such work will ensure ventilation of the crown and access to sunlight.
All branches growing inside the tree are immediately removed - this applies to trees of any age. But no special thinning is required; “Fairy” grows with a neat and thinned crown if normal pruning is carried out in the first years of its growth.
First of all, shoots growing at the intersection or below the main branch are removed. After leaf fall, all cut branches and foliage are taken outside the dacha and burned or thrown into trash containers.
History of selection
Diseases and pests
Felt cherry Fairy carries fungal diseases, including coccomycosis. To protect against damage, the tree is treated with a fungicide that contains copper, and after the leaves fall, it is treated with iron sulfate.
Of the insects affected, we will focus on aphids, which always accompany the ants that appear in the garden. As soon as you notice insects, destroy them immediately. If the aphid has slightly injured the tree, then it can be saved with a solution of laundry soap. In case of severe damage, insecticides are used.
Features of the variety
Let us examine the main characteristics of the variety in more detail.
Winter hardiness
The plant has a fairly high level of winter hardiness. Able to grow and bear fruit normally over a vast territory of several regions:
- Bryansk;
- Orlovskaya;
- Lipetskaya;
- Tambovskaya;
- Voronezh;
- Belgorodskaya;
- Kursk;
- All regions of central Russia.
The zoned variety easily tolerates the harsh conditions of these regions and produces a good harvest of pink berries. In the first year after planting, it is recommended to cover the trunks of a young plant with covering material. Mature trees do not require additional protection; it is enough to whitewash them with lime in the pre-winter period.
Disease resistance level
The variety is resistant to most fungal diseases. But in rainy weather, rot may develop. You will need to treat the plants with a solution of any fungicide. "Fairy" is resistant to coccomycosis.
Subsequently, the plant is treated with solutions against leaf rollers, codling moths, and when the first signs of the disease appear. Let's look at the symptoms of garden pest damage:
- cherry moth may appear on young foliage and unopened flowers ; the first treatment with insecticides helps fight it;
- at the first signs of the appearance of affected ovaries, treatment against sawflies ;
- aphids cause a slowdown in the growth and development of fruits and the tree as a whole. When carrying out treatments, it is necessary to carry out treatment against garden ants;
- whitened inner planes of foliage indicate that the plant is infected with powdery mildew . This is possible with excessive watering or during rainy periods;
- gum flows on the trunks and branches - this indicates a weakened plant. Fertilizers and foliar spraying with special solutions will be required.
Pollinator varieties
The plant does not require an additional pollinator; it is a self-fertile cherry variety. But for 100% confidence and for pollination of other varieties, it is recommended to plant seedlings in the garden:
- "Vladimirskaya";
- "Turgenevskaya";
- "Lyubskoy."
Productivity of the variety
Fruiting begins 4 years after planting. An adult tree produces 10-12 kg of cherries. Considering the reduced distance between trees, the size and ease of harvesting, this variety is gaining increasing popularity among gardeners. This material will tell you how to grow cherries from pits.
Transportability
To improve preservation, the berries are collected with cuttings, this way it is possible to avoid deformation of the fruit and dripping of juice.
Cherry Fairy: reviews from gardeners
- Mikhail Petrovich Kurgansky, 79 years old, Voronezh: “I really liked Cherry Fairy. It tastes sweet. I eat it fresh, my wife makes compotes, jam, or adds it to pies. And it doesn’t even matter that the size is small, the Fairy felt cherry produces fruits every season, and that’s all thanks for that.”
- Marina Petrovna Selivanova, 40 years old, Belgorod: “We bought a house outside the city and laid out a small garden. We planted cherries, now all we do is try to make preparations from Fairy cherries. The berry is very tasty! The compotes turn out sweet! My husband loves to drink compotes, especially in the summer when it’s hot. The Fairy cherry tree is small in size, so I am not afraid of my boys falling off when they try to climb.”
Landing Features
To achieve rich harvests, you should set aside a bright place for the cherry orchard and stock up on healthy planting material.
Selection of seedlings
It is better to buy seedlings in nurseries and stores, and not from random sellers, so as not to doubt the variety. It is better to choose two-year-old cherries with elastic, flexible branches. You should purchase grafted trees, which begin to bear fruit earlier and are more productive. First of all, when examining a seedling, they look to see whether it is grafted or not. The grafting site is located on the trunk 5–15 cm from the root collar: there the trunk is slightly curved and grows slightly to the side. If there is no such sign, it is likely that this is not a varietal seedling, but a seedling that does not have the characteristics of the variety. The roots of a seedling with an open root system are checked: they should be well developed, up to 40 cm long, with light ends. Dry and black, with growths or deformation indicate a plant disease. The tree must have an even stem, without damage or peeling of the bark. The foliage is evenly colored, without spots. Plants with a closed root system are taken out of the packaging and the earthen ball is inspected: it should be entwined with roots and not crumble.
The seedling must have well-developed roots
Seedlings purchased in late autumn are planted until spring. In a shady place in the garden, they dig an elongated hole 35 cm deep. One of the walls is made inclined at 45. Seedlings are placed on this side, the roots and 1/3 of the trunk are covered with earth. Water generously and insulate with straw. To protect against rodents, the seedling is covered with spruce branches. In severe frosts, buried plants are covered with snow. Dig them up immediately before planting.
Selecting a location
Cherries need to be allocated well-lit areas. In a shaded place, it will bear less fruit and the sugar content of the fruit will decrease. It is preferable to plant the tree on the south side of the garden so that on the opposite side it is protected from cold winds by country buildings or a fence.
The culture does not tolerate stagnant water. In a low wetland, it may simply die. Heavy clay or sandy soils are also not suitable for fruit trees. It prefers light sandy and loamy soil with slight acidity.
Cherries are planted in well-lit areas
Site preparation
The place is prepared in advance. In October, they dig up the area, add horse manure (15 kg per 1 sq. m), 100 g of phosphorus and potassium. Acidic soils are limed. In the fall or 2 weeks before planting, they dig holes 60x60 cm, 50 cm deep, 2 meters apart.
Landing
Open-rooted cherries are planted in the spring. Plants in containers can be planted from spring to autumn. They take root quickly and without problems. Before planting in the ground, the plant is inspected, damaged areas on the roots are removed, and the dried roots are dipped in Kornevin’s solution for several hours. If the seedling has a closed root system, the soil in the container is spilled with water and allowed to stand for 5–10 minutes. The lump will be saturated with moisture and will not crumble when removed from the package. Such a tree is planted together with a lump of earth.
- A peg 80 m high is installed in the hole on the side.
- Add ash (500 g), humus (10 kg) and superphosphate (40 g).
- A mound 50 cm high is made in the center.
- A seedling is placed in the center of this area, the roots are thoroughly straightened. Plants from the container are planted along with the soil.
- Fill the hole - the root collar should be 5 cm above the ground level, compact it.
- A small watering ditch is made around the trunk, into which 2 buckets of water are added and allowed to soak.
- The seedling is loosely tied to the support.
- The soil is mulched with straw 5 cm thick.
The soil around the seedling is compacted a little
Baby is a partially self-fertile species. But to increase productivity, when planting a garden, you should choose several varieties of cherries that are close in terms of flowering and fruiting.
Rules for care and planting
It is important to know that cherries of this variety do not tolerate acidic soil or damp areas. If the area is waterlogged, it is recommended to use drainage. To cope with a problem such as increased soil acidity, it is necessary to carry out a liming procedure. When planting the presented cherry variety, it is necessary to apply a scheme that implies a two-meter distance between the seedlings. There should be at least four meters between rows. Under the seedling, you should dig a planting hole measuring 80 x 80 cm.
It is important to properly enrich the soil. For this purpose, one shovel of wood ash and rotted manure is added. Remember that the volume of the mixture increases in the pit. Make a suitable hole for the young tree and insert a support stick to tie it up.
It is important that the neck of the seedling is six to eight centimeters above the earthen surface. When the soil settles, the root system will deepen, and the root collar will be placed at the required depth. Then the edges of the planting hole are formed; for this, an earthen side is made so that the water does not spread when watering. One seedling will require at least 2 buckets of water.
In the first year after planting, the main growth of the tree occurs. In the second year, mandatory formative pruning is required. To form a beautiful and attractive crown, pruning is done before fruiting begins. After fruiting, the formative pruning changes to sanitary pruning.
Cherry bushes and trees are unpretentious, strong and beautiful. However, in order for them to produce a good harvest, they must be properly cared for. Be sure to remove root growth. If the tree is rooted, in case of urgent need, you can take strong shoots to form a new plant.