Cherry Nord Star
Content:
With new demands on the part of gardeners, breeders themselves have become more focused on breeding completely new, unique and resistant cherry varieties. This is how not only varieties of domestic selection appeared, but a large number of cherries were imported, which belong to the authorship of foreign specialists. The North Star cherry variety belongs to the American selection and is one of its brightest representatives. The Nord Star cherry tree is grown today both on private farms and on a wider industrial scale - this cherry tree is unique for many reasons. First of all, due to the fact that the Nord Star cherry does not show any whims, it is an unpretentious and unique planting, which perfectly adapts to different conditions and on different soils. But still, sometimes gardeners may have doubts or thoughts as to whether they would like to see such varieties on their site.
To make it easier to understand whether Nord Star cherries are suitable for growing, you can read this article. In it, we will talk in more detail about what characteristics and features a cherry variety has, what is its uniqueness, what are the most important points for growing a plant, and whether it is possible to plant seedlings in the most extreme and kind of difficult conditions that are found in some regions of our country. The Nord Star cherry variety also has some of its own characteristics - we will also talk about them a little further.
Cherry Nord Star: description and characteristics of the variety
In general, in open sources, you can find not so much information about this variety, about its features and history of origin. But it is still known that the variety belongs to American breeders, who crossed two rather serious and significant varieties - Starinny and Seyanets.
The old variety has existed since about the 16th century and is considered one of the most revered and widespread. It has both its advantages (yield and presentation of fruits, self-fertility) and disadvantages (experienced gardeners estimate the frost resistance of this variety at an average level).
As for the second plant with which the old variety was crossed, it is an ordinary seedling, which was obtained by growing a seed of an unknown variety. State trials of the variety began around 1985. There is no information about this variety in the Russian state register, but this did not prevent planting from becoming quite popular and cultivated in our country, as well as abroad - in Ukraine and Belarus, in the countries of the former USSR.
Wood in itself, it is medium in height, reaches a height of 3.5 meters, although there is an opinion that these are mostly rather small plantings, the height of which is usually 2.5 meters in the most favorable conditions. With all this, the variety is called one of the most advantageous and very convenient, because small plantings are always easier to care for than if they are tall plants.
Crown cherries of the Nord Star variety of medium thickening, rather compact, although over time it can be a little wilted just due to the fact that a large number of fruits with their weight affect the branches and shoots.
Inflorescences formed from three or four flowers, mixed fruiting. This means that flower buds can also form on annual growths, and they can also be found on two-year-old shoots, older three-year shoots.
Bloom cherry North Star itself is later, but, again, much will depend rather on the climatic zone and region in which this plant grows. If this is the southern part of Russia, then fruiting may occur several weeks earlier, but if this is the North, then the variety will begin to bear fruit on time or a little later. In addition, the microclimate and care by the grower is exactly what can, to some extent, become a decisive factor in the health and well-being of the planting.
Fruit it turns out to be medium, have a rounded shape, very juicy and sweet, but we will deal with their description a little later. Let's just say that the fruits have a universal purpose, which means that in general they can be used and eaten fresh, or you can cook a large number of preparations and dishes from them.
Taste The Nord Star cherry fruit can also be safely stored if the other fruit is frozen for later use. But this largely depends on how the gardener himself considers it necessary to handle the harvested. Tasters assess the taste characteristics of the fruit at a solid four points out of five, saying that the acid leaves the berries only upon reaching consumer maturity, that is, almost complete ripening of the fruit.
But overall, this variety is quite convenient and preferable, so it really deserves attention.
Considering that the fruits can ripen for a very long time, and their taste does not always reach perfection, it is possible, in principle, to use cherries for technical processing, for the preparation of compotes and juices, wine, combining berries with other fruits and fruits.
What characteristics does the Nord Star cherry variety have?
Cherry Nord Star: photo of the variety
The rather attractive appearance of the landings should also be of interest.
Crown in its shape it can be round, and it can be pyramidal. It all depends on how old the planting is, and also on whether the gardener himself will form it in accordance with his capabilities, skills and abilities. It is also worth saying that formative pruning has a wonderful effect on the plant, it recovers very quickly and looks quite decorative at the same time.
Stamp covered bark, painted in a dark gray shade. At first, while the tree is still young, the stem is a little rough, but with age, cracks can be seen on the bark, which at the same time do not at all indicate that planting a disease is a natural manifestation.
The stem in general can be a little florid, like the branches, shoots that branch off from the cherry planting.
On young Nord Star cherry trees, cracks may form on the trunk. Thanks to it, you can notice the formation of new shiny pieces of the cover, which are painted in silver or brownish shades.
The gray bark that has aged can be carefully removed, but must not be damaged. The stem is florid, sometimes some shoots can grow right deep into the crown, so the gardener should be very careful about caring activities, cut off plants, shoots, shorten them so that some disease-causing manifestations, bacteria and microorganisms do not begin to develop due to the thickening of the crown.
Generally shoots, which are given by the Nord Star cherry - straight, can be elongated, with pronounced internodes. Initially, they turn greenish or brown, but later, over time, the color changes to reddish. A large number of pronounced glands appear on the shoots, which also indicate the active development of planting, and that the gardener should carefully look after them.
Glands give the planting additional nutrition, they must be strong and strong, so that the tree, if something happens, can safely fight bacteria and pests, infectious and fungal diseases. But we will talk about such a struggle a little later.Vegetative buds reach six millimeters in size, have an elongated shape, more like an egg.
The tip of the buds is pointed, the vitality of the entire planting will depend on their healthy appearance, vitality and quantity.
The planting also has the so-called generative buds. They are slightly smaller in size than the main ones - about four millimeters, and generally have the same shape and color.
Leaves the Nord Star cherries are rounded, quite standard in shape and size, as the leaves of other varieties and varieties of cherry plantings. The top of the leaves is slightly pointed, the consistency is leathery, dense, the leaves generally look quite attractive and decorative, especially when they all bloom at once in the spring.
Gardeners note the attractiveness and beauty of the plant, indicate that they really look very cool and interesting. The length of the leaves can be up to ten centimeters, and the width ranges from four to six centimeters. These are the dimensional indicators of larger and older plantings, of course, when the seedling is still very young, its size is not so abundant and large.
The outer side of the leaves is smooth and shiny, colored in a rich and deep green hue. There is a slight concavity, which is mainly located in the central vein. But the inner side of the leaves is not so bright - it is rather pale, has a pinkish center at the vein. On the sides, you can feel the pubescence of the leaves, the hairiness is a feature of the planting of the cherry variety, and in general, the appearance of the leaves does not change in any global way from this.
Leaf petioles - their size is up to twenty millimeters. Their color is dusty, dirty pink, the thickness is medium, but at the same time the leaves are firmly held on the petioles, they do not crumble (unless the planting gets sick or is in an unsatisfactory condition due to the fact that it lacks nutrition and care from the gardener).
There are no stipules in the variety, glands may be in small quantities, or not at all, it all depends rather on the climatic and natural conditions in which this cherry variety grows.
Flowers can be located singly, and can form in inflorescences of two or three beautiful flowers. The flowers are quite large and abundant on their own, they can reach 4.5 centimeters in diameter. They stand out against the background of many other varieties and plantings, especially during flowering.
At first they are painted in a white shade, but then it gradually changes to a delicate, pink, incredibly attractive. It is worth noting that, in principle, gardeners value cherries very much precisely due to the fact that they not only give a bountiful harvest, but can also look incredibly decorative and attractive precisely because of an excellent looking tree, especially during flowering.
The petals can be corrugated, with uneven edges, or they can be spoon-shaped. The pistil is located or next to, on the same level with the stamen, or it can be slightly lowered. The stamens reach a centimeter in length, but the length of the pistil is about one and a half centimeters. They stand out perfectly against the background of the flower, they also look a little contrasting and, at the same time, quite festive.
The most important thing is that they take an active part in the pollination of the tree and, accordingly, can be quite bright representatives of a self-fertile culture, but this should be discussed a little later. Next, we will tell you a little about what cherry fruits are, what their size and shape are, as well as the level of versatility in purpose and use.
Fruit rather large ones are formed on the tree - what corresponds to the cherry variety. They have a flat-round shape, the skin is painted in a deep maroon shade.On average, the mass of one cherry berry can be about six grams, the pulp is homogeneous in its own structure, average if you evaluate the density, but many say that the fruits are quite hard and dense.
The pulp also turns dark red, the juice is rich in color, and just as tasty in terms of taste. The stalk is shortened, but rather thick, strong, it can be easily plucked when the fruits reach their consumer maturity, but in other situations, in principle, the fruits do not crumble, and this is a huge plus. The stone is of medium size, it is separated from the pulp by half, but in general, gardeners do not encounter special difficulties in processing the crop, and this is a huge plus.
Berries have a pleasant sweet and sour taste, not cloying. The versatility means that cherries can be eaten immediately after they have been harvested from the site, or, in principle, they can be consumed when they are processed. In addition, you can make preserves and jams, drinks - juices, wine, compotes.
The taste of cherries goes well with the taste of other fruits and fruits, which is also a noticeable plus. Gardeners appreciate the variety very much due to the fact that it is completely unpretentious and not capricious. We will talk about agricultural technology and planting, about leaving later in this article.
What you need to know about a variety before planting it
The variety has several bright and key characteristics, which you should definitely pay attention to just in order to be able to decide for yourself - whether the gardener wants to see this planting on his own plot, or he would like to take other varieties and seedlings that will profitable to him.
Cherry Nord Star is characterized as a mid-season variety, the fruits ripen in July, but if a tree is planted in the southern region, then it is highly likely that the fruits will reach their consumer ripeness at the end of June, which means that gardeners will get ripe and tasty berries much earlier. Many indicators also depend directly on how the planting was grafted.
If it was a grafting on an antipoke, then the fruiting of cherries begins in the fourth or fifth year after the seedling is planted in open ground. Also, this vaccine will be characterized by its early maturity at a very high level. Of course, here the choice of vaccination and when exactly he would like to get his own harvest will depend on the gardeners himself.
Cherry Nord Star also gives a bountiful and very regular harvest, it is very high quality and quite tasty. Almost sixteen kilograms of the crop can be harvested from one tree in adulthood, and gardeners note that sometimes this is not the highest indicator, that the yield can be even higher.
But here it all depends on the conditions under which the cherry variety grows, whether the gardener himself was able to give the planting everything that she needed so much, and how far the agricultural technology was followed in accordance with all the rules and regulations.
It is important to know very subtle aspects and nuances in plant care, and if you take these points into account, it will be possible to get a harvest even where the initially climatic conditions are not very favorable. Next, we will just dwell in more detail on the description of the plant and on how to take care of the plantings in the future.
The fruits are of a high level of quality, since each cherry is very firm, bright, sweet, without any unpleasant or tart flavors.
Gardeners value Nord Star cherry very highly also due to the fact that, in general, these plantings are of high quality and versatile. The fruits are excellent fresh, they are great in taste with other berries or fruits. They can be used to prepare food and drinks, juices and wines, compotes, sauces, preserves and jams.
It is also worth saying that the fruits contain a large amount of useful substances - acids, vitamins, trace elements, peptides. All of them have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the human body, can help fight diseases, increasing immunity and stress resistance.
Cherry Nord Star can be grown in private household plots, and can be cultivated on a large industrial scale. With all this, the fruits are perfectly stored for a long time, they can be transported over long distances.
Cherry Nord Star - advantages and disadvantages of the variety
I would like to highlight several advantages and disadvantages of the variety, since they can have a serious impact on the opinion of the gardener himself, as well as on his choice directly in favor of this variety.
Among merits varieties can be distinguished as follows:
- frost resistance of cherry planting - a seedling and an adult tree can safely tolerate a drop in temperature to -25 degrees, and show absolutely no negative reactions to such changes in the climate;
- berries have a universal purpose - they can be used immediately after being removed fresh, or you can prepare dishes, desserts, preserves and jams from them, compotes, drinks, juices, wines;
- the variety is resistant to the most common diseases and is practically not attacked by pests, insects and rodents;
- the variety can be propagated in different ways - rootstocks, seeds, vegetative methods. The result will be equally positive, so you should think about this when choosing certain landings;
- cherry Nord Star has high commercial qualities and excellent characteristics. Cherries are great for selling, they look great and they have a very high taste;
- the yield is high, even if the gardener cannot give the variety enough attention and support, there is still a high probability of getting a regular and excellent harvest with high taste and storage characteristics (keeping quality, transportation).
Features of planting and subsequent care for cherries
Cherry Nord Star: photo of the variety
Cherry Nord Star belongs to the late-ripening category, so it is worth creating the most comfortable conditions for planting in order to get a decent and high-quality harvest.
It all depends, of course, on the area where the cherry trees grow, but otherwise it should be remembered that there are some needs for agricultural technology that must be met.
Otherwise, even such a strong cherry planting will not be able to withstand all external influences and, as a result, trees will die from lack of care and attention from the gardener, from insufficient protection from external influences (sometimes very negative).
With all this, frost resistance makes the cherry variety one of the most popular, but no one should forget about leaving, as well as about the key rules for planting cherries in open ground.
Planting: timing, process description
It is recommended to schedule the planting of cherries in the spring, since the seedling will have more time for rooting and adaptation, which means that the risk that the tree freezes or does not have time to prepare for the onset of frost will decrease (this usually happens if the planting was scheduled for autumn).
But, again, this moment depends on the area and region in which the landing is carried out, since if these are the southern regions, then cherries can be planted there in the fall - it will have time to adapt before the onset of unfavorable temperatures. But in Central Russia and closer to the north, it is still worth taking care of organizing planting in the spring.
Let's start with preparing the site for planting seedlings and with the very procedure for planting cherries in open ground.Pits for planting a seedling in depth should be up to half a meter, and their diameter varies from half a meter to sixty centimeters.
Again, one should focus on the size of the seedling itself, on the size of the root system - the roots should be comfortable in the hole, not cramped, there should be free space. If this is not a single, but a group planting, then there should be a distance between the seedlings, which is about three meters.
In general, it should be borne in mind that plantings need enough space in order to grow normally and actively develop. In addition, when the trees grow taller, they will not shade each other, which means that each cherry will get sunlight and space for growth and development. when a gardener prepares a hole, the soil that he pulls out of it must be mixed with humus in a 1: 1 ratio.
You can also add potassium chloride, superphosphate, ash there to normalize the general condition of the soil and make it more saturated and nutritious for cherry growth. If suddenly the site has a heavy and clayey soil, then river sand should be added to it before planting cherries.
Thanks to him, the soil will become looser, and this will have a beneficial effect on future planting. The plant needs the root system to be constantly saturated with moisture and oxygen, because only thanks to this the roots will not start to rot, and pathogenic bacteria will not develop on them.
Before planting, seedlings are carefully examined for damage or disease. If suddenly the root system or its parts were affected, then they must be carefully removed. The cut sites must be treated with activated carbon so that bacteria no longer penetrate there.
Next, the seedling is sent into the open ground, it is planted in a hole, a peg is installed next to it. The peg is necessary in order to support the planting, and also so that the seedling does not break or be damaged by gusts of wind. The root collar should protrude about three to four centimeters above the ground surface.
Full landing algorithm as follows:
- The gardener selects healthy and full-fledged seedlings, examines them from all sides. Before planting, the seedlings are placed in a growth stimulator - root for several hours;
- The seedling is placed in a pre-prepared hole, which is filled with fertile soil. A peg is driven into the center, which will become the future support for planting. Around the peg, the mixture is poured in the form of a mound, the seedling itself is installed on the mound. Experienced gardeners recommend planting not alone, but together - one person will support the seedling from above, and the second will gently spread the roots;
- They begin to pour soil onto the roots, this should be done carefully, constantly shaking the seedling. This must be done so that air pockets do not form around the roots, which will lead to the formation of cavities and the development of pathogenic bacteria;
- The seedling is tied to a peg, do it carefully. This can be done from the north side of the peg strictly vertically - the seedling should not deviate anywhere, otherwise this will lead to the fact that the tree will grow unevenly and unevenly.
Then the gardener monitors how the seedling takes root, how it adapts and takes root in new conditions. It is extremely important to maintain the vital activity of the planting, to mulch the near-trunk circle. Mulch serves several functions - it protects the planting from attack from bacteria, and also prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil too quickly. In addition, thanks to the mulch, the required amount of heat is retained in the soil, which is also very important for the general condition of the planting.
After the planting of the seedling has been completed, an earthen roller should be made around the entire circumference.It should be located about 25 centimeters from the main trunk, and thanks to this, the roller will indicate the space for full watering of the plant. It is recommended to water the seedlings with settled water at room temperature.
Cherry Nord is old. Agrotechnics
Cherry Nord Star: photo of the variety
In general, the root system of a plant is considered very delicate and vulnerable, and therefore it is still recommended to be very careful about both the watering process and the feeding.
They are part of agrotechnical measures, just like pruning, top dressing, harvesting, planting rejuvenation.
Cherries do not tolerate transplants, so initially the gardener should make sure that the planting site is as comfortable and well-lit as possible.
For watering One cherry seedling, the gardener will need about two or three buckets of water, but you should definitely take into account the temperature indicators and regimes, because otherwise the planting will feel less comfortable, and in general, the growth and development of this cherry seedling may noticeably slow down. Because of this, the periods of fruiting will shift.
When the tree matures, the agricultural technique can be slightly changed. For example, it is worth increasing the number of waterings - at least three times per season. You should also focus on climatic and weather conditions, on the amount of precipitation and the duration of dry periods.
Only taking into account all the external features, as well as taking into account the state of planting, it will be possible to create the most favorable irrigation schedule that will meet all planting requirements.
The first watering should be scheduled at the time when flowering ends. The second time the cherries are watered after the fruits have gradually filled in, and when they begin to ripen gradually. At this time, they really need watering so that they can become juicy and large - what corresponds to varietal indicators and characteristics. The third watering should be carried out at the very beginning of October, after the leaves have fallen off, and the planting will need to be prepared for the winter period.
It should be remembered loosening soil after irrigation during the entire growing season. Also, the trunk circle should be not only loose (to allow oxygen and moisture to pass through), but also cleaned of weeds and other excess vegetation. This may not have the best effect on the state of the plantings, on their characteristics and properties, and therefore it is still worthwhile to pay as much attention as possible to some issues and points that are related to the hygiene and aesthetics of the sites.
I would like to say that there are step-by-step instructions for planting a cherry tree. If the gardener adheres to it, then he will increase the chances of creating a very rich, vigorous and productive plant. The most important thing is also that, in general, even a gardener who does not have any specific and very rich experience in planting a plant can cope with this algorithm. Only by observing the conditions, the gardener will be able to achieve the maximum that the planting will be capable of.
But there are some points that you should definitely follow. These aspects include the following:
- the recommended terms in which it is necessary to plant the Nord Star cherries;
- a suitable place in which the planting will feel comfortable and develop in accordance with the requirements of the variety;
- neighborhood with cherry planting;
- selection of healthy and viable planting material, preparation for planting in open ground;
- landing algorithm and subtleties;
- subsequent care of the plant so that the planting will live and bear fruit as long as possible, despite the external conditions and characteristics.
Let's talk a little about dressing. In the first couple of years, planting will not need any fertilizers and top dressing at all, for the reason that they will be saturated with all the necessary substances and components from the saturated and ennobled soil. But after two or three years, it is still necessary to start making additional fertilizing and substances so that the planting can feel much more comfortable.
Usually fertilizers are applied in the autumn, before the gardener prescribes a deep digging of the personal plot. So, for one cherry tree, we need to apply potash fertilizers, phosphorus fertilizers (all these dressings are applied mainly in dry form). In the early spring period, it is necessary to make the soil saturated with nitrogen-containing components. This will require about fifty grams of dressings, which will be ideal for saturating the planting and creating the most favorable conditions for it. You should not be zealous with feeding, as you can overfeed the planting quite strongly and harm it. And in general, experienced gardeners say that it is better not to feed the planting than to create conditions of satiety for it, in which the cherry will experience discomfort.
When the Nord Star cherry reaches the age of two years, then you should begin to exercise shaping crowns. For this, the twigs are pruned. They carefully examine the planting, shorten the growths so that the plant looks not only neat, but also healthy. If the cherry becomes very old, then gardeners are advised to carry out anti-aging pruning. Thanks to her, the tree can be given a second life. It should be borne in mind that, in principle, trees tolerate these procedures quite calmly and normally recover after pruning and shaping.
Cherry Nord Star: photo of the variety
Frost protection Is another important condition that must be maintained by gardeners. The fact is that the winter period can be very harsh, both for adult plants and for young seedlings. Therefore, it is necessary to protect plantings using materials such as glass wool and roofing material, reeds, spruce forests, thick paper.
If the trunk of a Nord Star cherry has been damaged by rodents, pests or mechanically by the gardener himself, then the place of damage is carefully cleaned with a knife, smeared with garden varnish in order to prevent further penetration of infection into the bark. From above, it is better to tie up the trunk with dense material that will allow a small amount of air to pass through.
In general, if you create such conditions for planting, you can reduce the risk of injury, freezing or other negative manifestations from the planting side. The main thing is to be able to recognize in time some negative manifestations on the part of the Nord Star cherry variety, its some signals that it is worth being more attentive to agrotechnical moments, and then the gardener will achieve an excellent and significant result.
Let's talk a little about what they are pests, and how they can be dangerous to the cherry tree. In general, the variety is quite resistant, and with all this, it is quite rarely affected by such common diseases as moniliosis or coccomycosis, which can lead to the inevitable death of the plant.
Rodents can attack the landing, but not very often. The thing is that the bark of the tree is bitter, and with its taste, it does not attract rodents or other pests at all. This is another plus of planting, as it can regenerate itself.
The disadvantage of Nord Star cherries is that the tree turns out to be very tall, it is quite problematic to care for it, and it is not easy to harvest the resulting crop. Sometimes the fruits can crumble, but in rare cases - usually gardeners manage to collect most of the crop, preserving it and using it for universal purposes.
Conclusion
In general, if the gardener maintains all these conditions, then there is a high probability of getting a very decent and tasty harvest. The most important thing is to simply take into account the needs of the variety, its characteristics and properties. You should not independently carry out any work to support the plant, you should also not interfere with its vital activity when there is no need for it.
Only thanks to timely care in accordance with all the rules will you get a healthy, beautiful, decorative and productive cherry tree that will have a long life in a variety of climatic and temperature conditions.
If the gardener has decided to plant the Nord Star cherry variety in a warm climate, then he can resort to autumn planting, sometimes you can also use spring plantings.
Basically, Nord Star cherry perfectly adapts to any conditions, it shows remarkable growth and development indicators. The most important thing is to simply monitor the well-being of the variety, take into account the nuances and subtleties, due to which the planting may, to one degree or another, show not the best features.
Otherwise, Nord Star cherry is an excellent variety, huge advantages over some other winter-hardy late varieties, which are bred by both domestic and foreign breeders.