Cherry Kharitonovskaya: description of the variety and its characteristics

The Kharitonovskaya cherry variety is the result of a long search and crossing of a large number of varieties, and as a result, a really excellent tree was obtained, which gives an abundant result, which not all plants can boast of. In this article we will give a more detailed description of the characteristics of the cherry, its properties, the versatility of the fruit, and also dwell in more detail on what are the features of planting and caring for plants. This article will be useful for both novice gardeners and those who already have experience in growing various cherry trees, but are looking for new information about completely new varieties.

Cherry Kharitonovskaya: introduction

When breeders develop all new varieties of cherries, they take into account a very large number of aspects. The most important are the resistance of the culture to temperature extremes, excessive drought or frost, as well as resistance to fungal diseases, primarily to coccomycosis. Of course, it is also important to pay attention to the level of the plant's yield, and the berries should be tasty and versatile, large, containing a large amount of useful and nutritious substances. To date, one of the most outstanding varieties has been bred, which can boast that it meets all the above characteristics and requirements. This variety is Kharitonovskaya cherry, which we will talk about in more detail in this article.

Cherry Kharitonovskaya: description of the culture and characteristics of the variety

The tree of Kharitonovskaya cherry is distinguished by an average height - on average, its height varies from 2.5 meters to three meters, much depends on the age of the plant, on its survival, and on how the gardener himself takes care of the plant. The branches are brown-brown in color, they are straight, and an extensive, but not very dense crown is formed from them. Leaves typical of cherry culture - smooth, medium-sized, slightly serrated at the edges. The flowers are snow-white, fragrant and very large, and then the berries themselves are formed there. The average weight of one berry reaches five grams, this is the average size of a cherry berry. The color of the fruit is deep dark red, when the berries are fully ripe, they become almost black. At the same time, the taste receives a very high rating - they are sweet and sour, versatile, you can prepare many dishes and drinks from them, and in general, the berries are excellent for simply eating them fresh. The stone inside the berries is large, easily separated, especially if the berries are fully ripe.

The state register recommends planting a cherry variety on the territory of the Central Black Earth Region, since it adapts perfectly to those conditions and gives the same excellent yielding result. At the same time, the variety is great for twisting other cherries, so this is another valuable feature of it, which cannot be ignored, because not all cherry varieties can be suitable for this.

In general, Kharitonovskaya cherry is excellent for growing in both southern and central regions. In the north, this tree will not feel so comfortable, so it is not recommended to plant it there - due to frost, all flowers may die and, accordingly, no harvest can be expected in principle.Also, cherries are excellently grown in amateur gardens, on farms, on a more industrial scale. Thus, it is quite common in different regions, in some places it still needs additional attention from gardeners, but, as a rule, the variety is relatively unpretentious, it is not capricious.

Experienced gardeners emphasize that the variety is resistant to dry weather, but this does not mean that the plant should be abandoned and not watered in summer. On average, abundant watering is done about once or twice a month, much depends on the natural and climatic conditions, as well as on the age of the tree itself. Kharitonovskaya is a cherry variety with an average level of frost resistance, and, as we have already noted, in cold regions, it is not recommended to grow this variety in the north.

As for the ripening period, Kharitonovskaya cherry is characterized as medium. Flowering begins around the end of the spring, and the ovaries are formed in the standard way - on bouquet branches, as well as on last year's tree shoots. The cultivar is partially self-fertile, which means it can produce crops without additional pollinators. As practice shows, in general, you can also plant other cherry trees with similar characteristics, and then the harvest will be more abundant. If the gardener wants to get a more bountiful harvest, varieties such as Vladimirskaya and Zhukovskaya can be planted next to Kharitonovskaya cherries, and the first berries can ripen quite quickly - already around mid-July, the gardener can eat tasty and fresh fruits.

As a rule, the first bountiful and high-quality crop can be harvested about five years after the tree has been planted in open ground. In addition, the variety, judging by this characteristic, does not at all belong to the early-growing, but then the harvest is stable, annual, very plentiful and, most importantly, tasty. If the gardener complies with all agrotechnical standards and characteristics, then it is possible to collect from fifteen to twenty kilograms of harvest from one cherry tree. Another advantage of the variety is that when the berries are fully ripe, they do not fall off the branches for some time, they stay on them thanks to the stalk. But once picked, the cherries are very easy to handle. The variety can be stored for some time, but long-distance transportability is average. In general, the variety still has more advantages than disadvantages, and this is its main feature.

Despite the fact that a pronounced bird cherry aroma emanates from the berries, the berries still have very positive ratings, if we talk directly about the taste characteristics. They are versatile, they can be consumed fresh, as well as juices and compotes, wines, preserves and jams, preparations for the winter from cherries. At the same time, cherries can also be simply frozen, they retain many of their positive taste, as well as vitamin properties. It should be emphasized that cherries are especially popular in the preparation of alcoholic beverages. The variety is distinguished by a high level of resistance to various diseases and pests, as well as to such a fungal disease as coccomycosis, which is very common among cherry crops, and in general among fruit trees. It is this resistance that causes even more confidence on the part of gardeners, makes Kharitonovskaya cherry attractive in order to grow a variety where other trees may be exposed to this disease. Pests can be dangerous for the crop, but the susceptibility remains at an average level, so you should not worry about it, but sometimes it is worth giving the plant additional support in the form of treatments for pests and insects, shelter from rodents and birds.

Like any culture, any variety, Kharitonovskaya cherry also has both advantages and some disadvantages that need to be mentioned. The hybrid cherry combines a fairly large number of positive characteristics. These are the genes of cherry and cherry culture, as well as bird cherry, due to which such a pronounced bird cherry aroma appears. At the same time, among the advantages of the variety, the following are worth highlighting:

- high immunity to diseases, in particular, to coccomycosis, which affects most of cherry crops

- partial self-fertility of cherries, so it can do without additional pollinators

- the berries are quite large, especially if the tree grows in the most favorable conditions

- fruiting is definitely stable, especially after the plant reaches 5 years of age

- the yield is high, up to twenty kilograms of high-quality and tasty fruits can be harvested from one tree

- the tree, despite the average height, is generally quite compact, so it looks great on the site, and several more cherry trees can also be planted next to it, which will also look quite attractive in a group planting

- berries have an excellent dessert taste, they are very sweet, with a pronounced sourness, but without astringency, so both adults and children love to eat it fresh

- the crop after full ripening does not crumble, it can also stay on the branches for some time, until the gardener decides to remove it. At the same time, harvesting is a very simple process, from how the berries are separated from the stalk with a dry separation, and therefore can be stored for a long time.

- berries are quite versatile, if we talk directly about their use in cooking or winemaking

- the variety is drought-resistant, can withstand short-term droughts without additional soil moisture. One way or another, it should be borne in mind that, nevertheless, the gardener is required to look after the plant, since without additional support it can become infected with diseases or simply wither away, which will affect the quality of the fruits and their taste characteristics.

The variety, of course, has some disadvantages. We cannot ignore them, since they can influence the choice of a gardener and his desire to grow these plants in his personal plot. So, the variety has an average level of resistance if we are talking about frosts. This means that it is worth looking after the plant in the winter, as well as in the spring, when the risk of recurrent frosts is high. Also, the seed inside the fruit is very large, it can take up most of the fruit, which makes it seem that there is much less pulp there, and the fruits in general do not seem so fleshy when compared with other cherry varieties. Also, the fruits have an average transportability. In principle, they can be moved over some distances, but there is a high risk that they will lose their presentation and their useful and taste qualities.

Planting the Kharitonov variety of cherries

There are several features that relate specifically to the planting of Kharitonovskaya cherry varieties. In general, gardeners say that this is a very unpretentious culture, but at the same time it is very important to choose the most suitable place and plant a tree in it, guided by knowledge of agrotechnical measures. As a rule, the landing site must be well-lit and sunny. In this case, groundwater must lie at a depth of at least two meters. Otherwise, they will always touch the root system, and there is a high probability that the plant will simply get sick with a fungal disease, and the root system will begin to gradually collapse.The tree is planted on the south side of the fence or wall of the house, and you can also plant cherries on the western slope, while the angle of inclination should not be more than 15 degrees. Ideally, the tilt angle should be around eight degrees so that the plant will be in its best position to produce an excellent harvest.

In general, cherries are not so whimsical to the composition of the soil. But still it is worth saying that loam is best suited for this plant, as well as the neutral reaction of the soil, if we are talking directly about acidity. The soil can be improved, for this it is enough to add organic fertilizer, humus and sand, a certain amount of lime, as well as fertilizers that are specially designed for fruit and berry crops, and which can be purchased in specialized stores for gardeners and gardeners.

If we talk about planting cherries of this variety in the southern regions, then it is best to do this in the autumn, when leaf fall ends. In the north, it is better to place cherries outdoors in spring, as the chances are increased that the plant will adapt better to the conditions, will give excellent growth of the root system, and by the time of frost it will have time to take root, so that frost will not affect the cherry in any way. Excavation work to prepare the soil must be completed before the buds come to life and begin to bloom. Then the buds have a better chance of survival and, accordingly, the first life stages of the tree will also go smoothly and calmly, without additional stress and immunity testing.

Cherries take root well next to other cherry trees, as they can become additional pollinators and, accordingly, the harvest will be more abundant and of better quality. Excellent Kharitonovskaya cherry is adjacent to such varieties as Zhukovskaya, Vladimirskaya. Also, a seedling can perfectly take root not very far from other stone fruit crops, it is important that the trees do not adhere too much to each other, so as not to cast shadows on each other. The crown must be well ventilated and saturated with oxygen, otherwise the risk may increase that a variety of diseases will develop, which, of course, can have an extremely negative effect on the health and life of the plant.

There are several restrictions on planting nearby with cherries. For example, you cannot plant shrubs that are distinguished by an extensive branching root system that grows not in depth, but in breadth. These crops include raspberries and blackberries, sea buckthorn, which grow very quickly, can take possession of the site, and then the cherry root system will lack useful and nutrients to grow safely, and the tree may simply die. There are also crops that can secrete some substances that inhibit the growth and development of other trees, in particular cherries. These are maple and linden, birch, oak, so they should not be planted next to a cherry either, it will refuse to give full growth and development, it will wither, and the tree will not give any fruitful results.

The cherry root system must be protected from overheating. To do this, they cover him. This procedure also allows you to maintain the necessary moisture level, which is necessary for the plant to thrive. For example, a hoof and a tenacious, as well as periwinkle and budra, are ideally suited for this. They are suitable both for covering already mature plants and for covering the root system of still young cherry plantings.

Of course, in planting, you need to pay attention to the choice of planting material. Ideally, cherry bushes are best purchased from nurseries, as well as from growers who professionally produce cherry tree planting material.When choosing seedlings, it is necessary to pay attention to several main factors that can sometimes become decisive when it comes to the health and life of plants. So, these are the following features:

- the root system, which must be very well developed. There should be no visible damage, scratches, fungal growths on the roots.

- the height of the seedling must be at least eighty centimeters. If a gardener chooses a biennial plant as a planting material, then its height may be just over one meter.

- the color of the bark - from it you can understand that the plant is healthy, or it was not grown in the most favorable conditions. For example, if the bark has a greenish tint, then this indicates that when the gardener grew the material, he used too much nitrogen fertilizer for feeding. It is highly likely that in the very first winter period this seedling will simply die. Thus, by paying attention to the color and shade of the bark, the gardener can save himself from unnecessary material expenditures, since this will help him choose only healthy seedlings, which until then grew exclusively in favorable conditions.

Before planting a cherry seedling in open ground, you need to soak it for three hours. It is enough to add root or heteroauxin to warm settled water for soaking, which are effective growth stimulants, while completely safe for the culture. Planting is carried out in accordance with the algorithm in order to comply with all the rules of agricultural technology, and to get an excellent result as a result. Thus, the gardener prepares a hole in advance, where the root system of the seedling will fit quite freely. In depth, this should be a hole about 40-60 centimeters, and the diameter should be equal to 80 centimeters, in fact, these are the standard pit sizes for planting a cherry seedling. It is worth adding humus to the soil and some fertilizers that are considered key - these are phosphorus and potassium. They have an excellent effect on the plant, as well as on the processes of its growth and development. if the soil contains too high a clay content, then it is best to add some river sand. Also, if the soil is highly acidic, then it must be diluted with lime. To tie the cherries right in the center of the hole, it is worth driving in a peg, since at first the plant will need additional support. The seedling is also set in the center, gradually pouring fertile soil under the root system. When the earth remains, a small roller can be made from it, and the seedling is watered with three buckets of warm, settled water. When all the moisture is completely absorbed into the soil, the circle around the trunk should be mulched. This will allow moisture to evaporate much more slowly, and prevent pests from entering the enclosed circle, and the plant will be protected.

Of course, much further depends on how the gardener will take care of the tree. It is necessary to water the cherries regularly in order to prevent the soil from drying out, especially for watering in the very first growing season. Then the cherry should be watered if dry weather is observed and the plant needs additional moisture. In the fall, it is best to do moisture charging in order to prepare the cherry for winter, and so that it safely survives this period, which is quite difficult for many plants.

Cherry feeding

As for dressing, the cherry perfectly tolerates mineral fertilizers. She needs regular feeding with a lot of nitrogen and potassium, but phosphorus can be periodically discarded. Also, cherries take manure well, and manure and ash can also be used together with mineral complexes for mulch. In order to increase the yield and its quality, it is necessary to prune the plant.Moreover, for this, it is necessary to carry out both sanitary pruning and shaping, and this must be done from the very first years of the plant's life, so that then the crown is formed exactly as the gardener himself has already managed to form it. Thanks to these measures, it is possible to reduce the risk of diseases and fungal infections to which the Kharitonovskaya cherry variety can be exposed.

Cherry Kharitonovskaya: pests and control of them

It is also worth paying attention to the fact that, in general, this variety is quite resistant to various fungal diseases and, in particular, to coccomycosis, which is very common among crops. But it is still imperative to carry out some preventive treatments and measures to make the plant better. So, for example, we will present several main and common diseases and tell you what preventive treatments are needed.

Coccomycosis, moniliosis and rust are most commonly found on cherries. If their signs were found, then it is necessary to process the leaf part, branches and the main trunk itself with copper-containing preparations. There are also several preventative measures. The most common is that the leaves that have already fallen must be immediately removed from the site and burned. Cherry trees also need pruning - regular. It should be both sanitary and formative. Cherry Kharitonovskaya responds well to pruning, quickly gets used to them and recovers after them.

If we talk directly about pests, then most often the tree is affected by aphids or cherry sawflies. At first they can be very invisible, and then the plant is simply impossible to save. To stop the invasion of pests, it is necessary to regularly treat the tree with insecticides, depending on the instructions for use and the affected area. You can also treat wood with soapy water, which is also very effective when it comes to fighting these small but incredibly destructive pests. In general, if you take care of the plant, take care of it, give it all the necessary support and care, you will get an incredibly tasty and versatile crop.