Content
Astakhov's cherry belongs to northern varieties. The goal of breeding was to create cherries that were resistant to harsh climates. Gardeners succeeded in this to the fullest: the combination of sweetness characteristic of southern varieties, high immunity to disease and resistance to cold make the Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety the optimal choice for the central territories of the country.
History of variety selection
Breeder M.V. Kanshina is the creator of the cherry Lyubimitsa Astakhova, who gave it the name in honor of her husband A.I. Astakhov. The developed variety belongs to the northern group: winter-resistant, highly productive. The final work was carried out in the 70s under the guidance of prof. A. N. Venyaminova in Bryansk. The Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety was created on the basis of selected samples of hybrids, and its genotype was formed under the influence of Voronezh and Leningrad selections.In the State Register since 2011.
Description of the cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova
The main indicators of Lyubimitsa Astakhov are presented in the table:
Regions | |
Regions for Astakhov cherries | Central, but also thrives in the Non-Black Earth Region, in the Southern Urals. |
Tree | |
Trunk | Average growth rate; Height 3.5 – 4 m. |
Bark | Rich gray, closer to dark, with slight flaking; after the leaves fall off - very silvery. |
Leaves | Matte, green; medium, long, elliptical, pointed with jagged edges. |
Flowers, fruits | Bouquet branches; three saucer-shaped flowers in an inflorescence and a cup in the form of a glass. |
Crown | Spreading, medium density, round-oval. |
Escapes | Below are located horizontally, bare, brown-gray. Closer to the top they are inclined and brown. |
Formation | By pruning, tiers are created |
Fruit | |
Size | Average |
Form | Oval |
Weight | 4–5 g, maximum up to 8 g. |
Skin | Dark red, closer to black-burgundy in ripe fruits, smooth, with a sheen, no subcutaneous dots. |
Pulp, juice | Brightly colored; The pulp is elastic, fleshy, rich in juice, with an easily separated bone. |
Taste | Sweet, like the best varieties in the south, tasters score from 4.5 to 4.8 out of 5. |
Characteristics of the variety
The description of the variety includes several points of characteristics, all of them together constitute the advantages and disadvantages of Astakhov cherries.
Winter hardiness of cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova
Increased resistance to frost and cold. The Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety was specially created in harsh climate conditions. Still, for better yield, it is advisable to plant it in places with protection from the wind; it is recommended to create protective fences on the north and south sides.
Cherry pollinators Lyubimitsa Astakhova
The variety is partially self-pollinating, so the presence of pollinating trees nearby is mandatory, since without them there are very few ovaries. In extreme cases, cherries that bloom at the same time as Astakhov’s Favorite can serve as pollinators.
Terms of flowering and fruiting of pollinators for cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova:
Variety | Flowering/fruiting |
Baby | From 10 May / mid July |
Tyutchevka | End of May / end of July |
And the way | Late March/early summer |
Red hill | Early May/mid June |
Ovstuzhenka | Second ten days of May / mid-summer |
Raditsa | Late March/early summer |
Large-fruited | Late May/end of summer |
Revna | Mid May/July |
Productivity and fruiting
The flowering time of Astakhov's Favorite is May. Fruiting begins in the 5th year. The ripening period is medium-late (early – mid-July).
Area of application of berries
The use of Astakhov's Lyubimitsa berries is universal. Safety during transportation is good, as the fruits are dense. The best time for collection is early in the morning, as at this time the pulp has good density.
Under normal conditions, the berries do not last long (2–3 days). Store in the refrigerator.
Suitable for all methods of use: fresh, freezing, drying, jam, twists, compotes, baked goods, juices, fruit salads.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Diseases of Lyubimitsa Astakhov:
Disease | Immunity |
Coccomycosis | Average |
Moniliosis | High |
Clusterosporiasis | High |
cherry fly | Affects fruits, resistance is average. |
Despite the high degree of resistance to fruit diseases, gardeners recommend that preventive measures be taken when growing Astakhov cherries.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Pros and cons of Astakhov's Favorite:
Advantages | Flaws |
Resistant to cold and frost. Resistant to frosty wind, but within reasonable limits. | Selection of pollinators. |
Sweet taste of southern varieties (4.5 - 4.8 out of 5 on the tasting scale). | Vulnerability to frost in spring, especially in young seedlings. It is recommended to wrap them up. |
High yield. | |
Excellent immunity. | |
Unpretentiousness. |
Landing Features
When planting Astakhov cherries, the following parameters are taken into account:
- deadlines;
- priming;
- watering;
- place of growth;
- distance from other plants and proximity to them.
Recommended timing
Astakhov cherries are planted in late spring, after thawing, but before buds open, after the possibility of late frosts has been minimized and the soil is well saturated with moisture. Autumn planting carries the threat of freezing of immature roots.
Choosing a suitable location
For Astakhov cherries, you need to choose the warmest place on the site, open to light, protected from north winds by a wall, fence, or other plantings. On the slope, the south side is the most favorable.
Soil requirements: non-acidic, fertile and at the same time well breathable (loose). Clay and sandy soils are undesirable for cherries.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
- Sweet cherry Lyubimitsa Astakhova does not favor the neighborhood with peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, tobacco (nightshades). They are susceptible to verticillium wilt, which can also destroy cherries.
- The Astakhov cherry feels great next to the small periwinkle, violets, lily of the valley and other flowers that love light sandy loam soils.
- It is not recommended to plant apple, pear, apricot, peach, currant, raspberry, gooseberry, and hazel trees nearby.
- But black elderberry (additional protection against aphids) and columnar cherry plum, on the contrary, have a good effect on cherries.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Requirements for Astakhov cherry seedlings:
- no more than 3 years;
- no damage to the root and bark;
- there should be no spots or cracks that are not characteristic of the plant;
- the root should have at least 3 branches with a thickness of 2 mm.
Preparation:
- Damaged root segments are trimmed.
- The root is soaked if it is excessively dry.
- Remove all leaves as they absorb moisture.
Landing algorithm
Step-by-step actions for planting cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova:
- They dig a hole, fill it with humus, ash, and fertilized soil mixture (half of the nutrient soil). Depth – 40–50 cm, diameter – 80 cm.
- They make a mound at the bottom, install the tree, and arrange the roots conveniently. Then, lifting it by 5 cm, carefully fill in the fertilized soil mixture.
- The neck of the root is on the south side, protruding 3-4 cm above ground level so that the grafting site warms up well.
- An excessively flaccid crown is cut down to living tissue, but no more than a third.
- The trunk is tied to a peg until the tree grows.
- pour out 2 buckets of water and mulch immediately.
Aftercare for cherries
Watering | Once a week in a hole near the trunk, for an adult tree - in a furrow, during the ripening of the crop: 3-4 buckets per week (during drought). |
Top dressing | The next year after planting. Fertilizers: in spring - nitrogenous; · flowering and a little later - potassium; autumn - fluorine-containing. When it begins to bear fruit, this is done regularly. |
Trimming | It is poorly tolerated and is kept to a minimum. Remove vigorous, dried and damaged branches and sprouts at the roots. After the berries appear on the shoots, they are shortened by a third - this stimulates the appearance of fruitful buds. In the northern regions, it is undesirable to carry out these manipulations annually. |
Preparing for winter | The soil is mulched. Seedlings up to 3–4 years old are wrapped in spruce branches, roofing felt, and lutrasil. |
Reproduction | Vaccination. The best rootstocks are low-growing, winter-hardy and adapted to the terrain. |
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Before the buds swell, spray with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate. This is repeated during the flowering period. Treatment with Zircon and Ecoberin is recommended.
The cherry fly is the most dangerous pest. To prevent its appearance, fallen berries need to be picked regularly, and during flowering the crown is treated with insecticides.
Conclusion
Astakhov's cherry is definitely recommended by gardeners: it does not lose any of the valuable qualities inherent in cherries. Winter-hardy, resistant to pests.The berries have a rich, sweet, aromatic taste of southern varieties, and at the same time they are large, with juicy, moderately dense pulp. Separately, one should take into account excellent transportability, which is important for business.
