Bush cherry

Shrub cherry is one of the favorite plants of countless gardeners. She has a distinctive taste, and even her appearance is eye-catching. In order for this wonderful tree to feel good in your garden and give a decent harvest, you need to make sure that your care for any of its varieties is done according to the rules. Shrub cherries are also called steppe cherries. This is a small shrub. Its height can reach from half a meter to two meters. The crown most often takes a spherical or irregular shape. Shrub cherry has outstanding resistance to frost and low humidity. However, do not think that you can not take care of this plant at all. It is not immortal and needs careful handling.

Shrub cherry: varieties and characteristics

Shrub cherry is one of the most cold-resistant cherry varieties. He is able to survive the incredible -45 degrees without harm. It follows from this that cherries can be grown almost anywhere. Even in Siberia or the Urals, she will feel great. This elevates it above many other varieties.

Breeders work miracles. They have developed hundreds of new varieties of cherries that vary in size, flavor, and weather resistance. You will now learn more about the most popular of the many varieties of Shrub cherry.

Shrub cherry Zhukovskaya

Shrub cherry: photo of the variety

This cherry variety Zhukovskaya stands out from the rest in that it is incredibly resistant to various diseases that affect cherry trees. And also because its fruits are very large and tasty. In addition, this variety has the ability to self-pollinate.

Unfortunately, the fruits of this tree still have to wait, because cherries begin to grow only four years after planting. The most fertile cherry tree of this variety becomes in the 20-25th year of its life.

During this period, you can collect up to 25 kilograms of berries from one plant. Unlike steppe cherry, it does not have such a high cold resistance. However, it can still be grown both in the north and in the south of the country.

Cherry Generous

Shrub cherry: photo of the variety

This cherry variety is one that ripens late. The fruits will begin to appear just three years after planting. However, the cherry tree will delight you with its high fertility. From just one tree, you can easily collect from 13 to 17 kilograms of tasty, large fruits. Their flesh is very dense and rich in cherry juice. In addition, those who do not like sour cherries will definitely like this variety.

Although this variety tolerates low temperatures, its disease resistance leaves much to be desired. When growing generous cherries, try to devote sufficient preventive time.

Shrub cherry: planting and fertilization

As already mentioned, Shrub cherry is an extremely fertile plant. However, in order to achieve such results, it is necessary to carefully care for the plant. Planting When planting bush cherries, it is very important to choose a suitable place for the cherry. Such a place should be well lit and should not have any relief imperfections.

Thanks to this caution, during especially rainy times, excess moisture will not kill the plant, and also will not lead to a high risk of cherry disease. Cherries are not overly fond of overly acidic soil. For example, medium sandy loam is ideal for soil.

Early spring is the best time to plant seedlings, but you shouldn't rush either.It is necessary to wait until the snow melts completely and stable, dry weather.

Humus fertilization is the most suitable fertilizer for cherry trees. Especially during their "youth", cherries need nitrogen. To maintain this nitrogen diet, we recommend using ammonium nitrate.

Also, various fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium will not harm. However, you should wait 3-4 years before using them. Superphosphate and potassium salt are ideal fertilizers for this. Also, as a budget option, you can use buckwheat ash.

Watering

As you might have guessed by now, the Shrub cherry is not a plant that really loves moisture. However, this does not cancel its need for watering. 2-3 times a season cherries must be watered, and abundantly. It makes sense to combine watering and feeding the plant: this will make the fruits larger and juicier.

Chemical processing and pruning of bush cherries

Shrub cherry is a plant that bears fruit exclusively on annual branches. Therefore, it is extremely important to carry out timely pruning of old branches. Otherwise, the quality of your crop will deteriorate significantly. The berries will become noticeably smaller, as will their number.

Bush cherry pruning

The most favorable time for pruning cherries is spring. The rules are simple: remove all wounded and withered branches. Also, it will not be superfluous to get rid of all the old processes at the roots and branches (over 6 years old). The ideal number of shoots on a healthy cherry is 10-15 pieces. It is worth choosing the most beautiful and branched ones. Only 3-4 shoots should be left at the roots.

Spraying

The most dangerous time for Kustovaya cherry varieties is the flowering period. After all, it is at this time that fungi and parasites become most active. Therefore, it is worth taking good care of the prevention of your cherry tree.

For example, copper sulfate is great for protecting against disease. There are many other drugs as well. For example, Agravetin, Fitoverm, Zircon, Ekorberin and phytosporin are considered effective and high-quality.

To prepare a solution based on any of these drugs, you should carefully read the instructions. Any wrong action can lead to unpleasant consequences, be it plant poisoning or drug failure.

In addition, some drugs can be harmful to other plants or people. Be sure to make sure your actions are safe.

Shrub cherry: photo of the variety

Conclusion

Although the Shrub cherry is not a demanding plant, proper care of it will allow you to get a bountiful harvest of tasty, juicy fruits every year. In addition, it is easy to learn the correct agrotechnics on this plant. You can even consider growing cherries as a workout that will teach you the right watering, feeding, pruning, and generally caring for any plant.