Content
Cordia cherries are popular among large producers and in private plots due to the high consumer qualities of the late dessert variety, transportability, and stable yield. Late flowering allows the tree to avoid return frosts.
The photo shows ripe fruits of Cordia cherries:
History of selection
The Kordit variety was obtained in the Czech Republic as a random seedling as a result of open pollination. According to the description of the Cordia cherry variety, a similar tree in the USA is called Attica. Cordia cherries are popular in Europe due to the striking appearance of the berries and their attractive taste.
Description of culture
Cordia cherries are more suitable for the southern regions of the country. In the middle climate zone, it is most often grown in the Central and North-Western regions. The young tree is carefully looked after in winter. The seedling is vigorous: within a year it reaches 1.7 m.Mature cherries during the fruiting period slow down the growth of wood. The root system is powerful and shallow. The crown is spreading, spherical or cone-shaped.
The leaves are large, ovate, with a sharp tip, quite dense: they hide some of the fruits. The berry petioles are strong, 45 mm long.
The heart-shaped berries of the Cordia variety are large, 28 mm wide, weighing 8–10 g. The thick skin is dark red, almost black, with brown dots. The pulp is intense dark red, juicy, dense, fleshy. The stone is large and easily separated from the pulp. The taste is pleasant, sweet, with a characteristic cherry aroma. The Kordia cherry fruits were rated by tasters at 4.8 points.
Characteristics
The high commercial and taste properties of Cordia berries allow gardeners and consumers to rightfully call it the “queen” among late-ripening varieties. Cherries are grown on different rootstocks, which determines the crown pattern. The tree forms many shoots.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Cordia variety does not tolerate drought well and requires regular watering, especially at a young age and during the formation of buds and ovaries. And frost resistance is by no means a distinctive feature of the Czech cherry variety. Seedlings are especially vulnerable. Mature trees tolerate frosts down to -25 ºC with possible damage to flower buds during prolonged cold spells. A strong drop in temperature will lead to freezing of wood to the snow line. Cherry flowers are damaged by May frosts.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Cordia cherries cannot be planted alone: the plant itself is sterile.Trees of the same species with a similar flowering period are placed nearby. The best pollinators for Cordia cherries are the following varieties:
- Summit;
- Karina;
- Regina;
- Wang;
- Myself;
- Burlat;
- Mercant;
- Schneider is late.
Depending on the region and weather, Cordia cherries bloom in late April - mid-May. Berries in the south ripen from the end of June, the most typical harvest time is the second ten days of July. The late-ripening variety is harvested 1.5–2 months after the early cherries.
Productivity, fruiting
Cordia cherries begin to bear fruit 4–5 years after planting. Berries are formed not only on bouquet branches, but also directly on annual shoots, which facilitates the picking process. The tree belongs to the medium-yielding type. Under conditions of a suitable climatic environment and high-quality pollinators, the yield from one Cordia cherry tree reaches 25–50 kg. Since the fruits are resistant to precipitation, do not crack or rot, they can be collected gradually without loss of quality.
Area of application of berries
The fruits of the Cordia variety are universal, although they are more suitable for dessert. Compotes and canned sweets are prepared from the berries.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is characterized by low susceptibility to the main diseases of the species, but is affected during the spread of moniliosis. Preventative spraying with fungicides or insecticides is necessary in case of pest attacks.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to the characteristics of the Cordia cherry variety, the plant is attractive for cultivation:
- high consumer indicators;
- fruit resistance to cracking, rotting and moisture;
- transportability;
- stable regular yield;
- good growth vigor;
- late flowering, at a time when frosts are unlikely;
- average resistance to diseases, low susceptibility to cancer.
Disadvantages can be considered:
- relatively low frost resistance;
- dependence on certain pollinator varieties for abundant harvests.
Landing Features
The type of Cordia crown formation depends on the type of rootstock. When purchasing a seedling of a variety, it would be good to find out which seedling it was planted on. According to reviews of Cordia cherries, trees based on VSL-2 (cherry-plum hybrid) have proven themselves well, where the crown is established at a height of 70–80 cm and later creates a lot of fruit wood. F12/1 rootstocks and bird cherry produce rapid growth.
Recommended timing
Cherries are planted in the central part of the country in the spring, before the buds of the seedlings have burst. This applies to trees with an open root system. Seedlings are planted in containers and with leaves. In autumn, planting in the south is possible.
Choosing a suitable location
The tree loves sunny areas, protected from cold winds, with loose and fertile soil. The groundwater level is no higher than 1.5 m. The distance between trees is 3–5 m.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries?
Cherries or grapes get along well with cherries. For apple, plum, pear, and berry bushes, proximity to a tree is unfavorable. Walnut or apricot will shade the cherry.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Seedlings are taken 1–2 years old for better survival:
- the root system is developed, fibrous;
- roots are fresh, wet;
- shoots are elastic, without damage;
- live buds, swollen or green, healthy leaves.
Before planting, the roots are soaked for 2 hours in a clay mash with the addition of a growth stimulator.
Landing algorithm
The pit is prepared six months in advance. The diameter of the hole is up to 1 m, depth - 80 cm. The nutritious soil mixture consists of garden soil, a bucket of humus, 500 ml of wood ash, 150-200 g of superphosphate.
- They hammer in a peg for support, place a seedling in the center and straighten the roots.
- The root collar protrudes 4–5 cm above the soil.
- They fill it with a fertile mixture, compact the soil and water it, forming sides around the perimeter of the pit.
- The shoots are cut by 1/3.
Subsequent care of the crop
Growing Cordia cherries requires annual pruning, since the fruits form on growths. For seedlings, the soil is moistened to a depth of 40 cm. In the summer heat, trees are given 20–30 liters for each square meter of the trunk circle, especially in the phase of budding and ovary growth. 10 days before picking the berries, watering is stopped. After autumn watering, the cherries are fed with a bucket of humus, 1.5 tbsp. spoons of potassium fertilizer, 2 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate per 1 sq. m. The seedlings are mulched and the trunk is wrapped in burlap. In winter they throw up snow.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Diseases | Signs | Treatment | Prevention |
Moniliosis | Dry branches and leaves | Spraying with copper-based preparations | Removing diseased branches |
Coccomycosis | Brown spots on leaves | Fungicides | Early spring treatment |
Clusterosporiasis | Dark spots on leaves where holes later form | Autumn site cleaning | Bordeaux liquid |
Pests | Signs | Fighting methods | Prevention |
Aphid | Young leaves curled | Insecticides or soap/soda solution | Early spring treatment, control of garden ants |
cherry fly | Larvae in berries |
| Fufanon after flowering |
Conclusion
Cordia cherry is a promising crop with simple but obligatory pruning and watering. In favorable climatic conditions, it bears fruit abundantly and delights with tasty large berries. One of the best options for summer desserts and preparations.
