Content
Cherry Milana is included in the list of the most ancient representatives of cherries, belonging to the plum genus. This species is popular among beekeepers as it is a wonderful source of pollen for bees. The most attractive difference between Milan cherries and their relatives is their rich honey taste.
History of selection
To obtain high-quality fruits and a productive variety, specialists from the All-Russian Research Institute named after Lupin conducted a number of studies. Random cherry seedlings were selected and crossed, resulting in the Milan cherry, which became a breeding achievement in the second half of the 60s.
Description of culture
Milana cherries have fruits of a dark burgundy color, with dense pulp inside. The weight of the fruit on average does not exceed 5 g. The trees are of medium size with a spherical crown of medium density. The branching pattern is tiered.
A subtropical or continental climate is ideal for growing Milan cherries. The variety will not grow in monsoon and strongly continental climates. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing the central and central black earth regions for planting.
Characteristics
- Mature trees reach up to 5 meters in height.
- Covered with rough bark with a gray-brown tint.
- The crown has an average density of foliage, and the main branches are located near the trunk, at an acute angle of no more than 60 degrees.
- The shoots are curved, 0.5 cm in diameter.
- The foliage is quite large, abruptly moving to the top.
- The leaf can reach 10 cm in length, and its edges have slight jagged edges.
- The large berries of the Milan cherry are a characteristic feature of this variety. The weight of one fruit is up to 5 g.
- The ripened harvest is characterized by a dark burgundy, almost black color and juicy pulp.
- The Milana cherry pit has a round shape and weighs 0.35 g.
- The berries are connected to each other using cuttings, no more than 3 pieces on each.
- The stalk of the Milan cherry does not exceed 50 mm in length, and their density on the branches is quite dense.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Milan cherry variety is intended for cultivation in southern climates, but it does not tolerate prolonged drought very well. If during dry weather the seedlings do not receive enough moisture, this can lead to a reduction in yield by almost half. If there is dry, hot weather in the spring, the foliage is susceptible to wilting.
Despite the fact that most varieties of cherries are sensitive to cold, the frost resistance of Milan cherries is one of its main advantages.In case of prolonged frost, reaching -25 degrees, the trees retain about 30 percent of their buds. This helps to obtain a harvest from the tree even after a cold and frosty winter.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The cherry variety Milana is one of the self-sterile varieties. For this reason, it needs pollinators, the best of which are Moskvichka, Annushka and Leningradskaya early.
The flowering period of the Milan cherry begins in the second half of April and lasts until the beginning of May. Before the foliage opens, white buds appear.
Milana cherries are an early ripening variety, so harvesting can begin in the first half of June. The ripeness of the berries is determined by the well-defined aroma, dark red color and shine on the skin of the berry.
Productivity, fruiting
The tree has an average yield, depending on the growing region. In the northern regions, as a rule, the harvest will not be as large. If in the southern region an average of at least 60 kg of fruit is harvested, then in the northern region this number can be halved. Harvesting Milan cherry berries is divided into two approaches, because on the upper branches the crop ripens faster than on the lower ones. First, the berries located at the top of the tree are collected, after which you can proceed to the lower branches of the tree.
The Milan cherry begins to bear fruit five years after the tree was planted in open ground. Further yields become annual and regular.
The quality of fruiting and yield can be influenced by the following factors:
- in dry and hot weather, pollen falling on flowering buds can lead to false pollination;
- if a fungal disease is detected in the garden: moniliosis or coccomycosis, this leads to the cessation of fruiting;
- In the absence of a pollinator, no more than 5% of the total number of cherry fruits can set fruit.
Area of application of berries
Milana variety berries belong to the dessert category, and are best consumed fresh. But the scope of application of the fruit also extends to homemade preparations for the winter: jam and compote, as well as to baking pies or cakes.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Milana cherries are susceptible to various fungal diseases. Often these diseases are caused by gray mold or coccomycosis. A gray coating appears on the leaves, covering their entire surface.
The foliage falls very early, which entails the tree's insecurity in the winter season. The berries themselves may be directly affected.
For preventive purposes, after the snow melts, in the presence of sunny and dry weather, the seedlings need to be treated with Bordeaux mixture with a three percent concentration. After flowering ends, this procedure will need to be repeated, but using one percent essence.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Milana cherry variety has many positive characteristics for which it is valued by experienced gardeners.
Wood has the following advantages:
- excellent taste;
- good resistance to frost;
- early ripeness;
- large berries.
Among the obvious disadvantages of the variety are:
- frequent fungal infections;
- the berries crack if the soil is waterlogged.
Landing Features
When growing Milan cherries, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules. You need to take responsibility for preparing the planting site, as well as choose the right technique for planting seedlings in the planting hole. Failure to comply with these requirements will lead to the fact that the tree will often get sick, produce a poor harvest, and may even die.
Recommended timing
Cherries can be planted both in spring and autumn. But during the autumn planting process, the tree can be harmed. In the presence of frosts, seedlings are often damaged, leading to lack of harvest or death. If planting is carried out in the autumn, the soil must be carefully prepared: fertilized, loosened and thoroughly watered.
Planting a tree in the spring often has a positive effect on the growth and development of seedlings. The trees are well established in the soil throughout the growing season, and a cold winter will cause them virtually no harm.
Choosing a suitable location
Cherry is a lover of sunlight. And darkened areas will serve to ensure its poor strengthening in the soil and a minimal amount of foliage. Thanks to sunlight, sweet fruits form on the tree.
Areas at high elevations that are not exposed to cold air are ideal for the tree.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries?
Milana cherries belong to stone fruit crops. This indicates that it should be planted next to similar plants.
- As for pome trees, such as pear or apple trees, their lush crown can obscure sunlight for the cherry. You can plant them side by side, but only maintaining a distance of about 6 meters.
- Milana can be planted next to Nevezhinsky rowan, elderberry, grapes and hawthorn. They are able to get along well without interfering with each other and without affecting the productivity of their neighbors.
- There are a number of plants that can harm cherries; they should not be planted nearby. Nightshade crops, represented by sweet bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplants, carry diseases dangerous to cherries, leading to the death of seedlings.
Selection and preparation of planting material
To plant cherries, good soil and a suitable location are not enough. Much depends on the correct choice of planting material. If the seedlings are poor, with significant damage or an undeveloped root system, their further growth will be difficult.
When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to whether they are obtained from seeds or grafted. It is recommended to buy grafted ones, because such seedlings can produce a good harvest in the future. The place where the grafting was made must be visible on the trunk.
Landing algorithm
When growing a tree, you need to follow a certain sequence.
The correct algorithm for planting Milan cherries includes several stages:
- Two weeks before the intended planting, you need to prepare a planting hole; its depth should be at least 60 cm.
- The soil from the pit is divided into two equal parts: one pile should consist of the upper fertile layer, and the second should consist of the lower one.
- You need to take 10 kg of organic fertilizer and mix it with the top layer of soil.
- In addition to this mixture, a stake should be dug into the bottom of the planting hole; preferably, it should be reliable and long. This is necessary in order to tie up the tree to avoid the negative effects of weather conditions.
- They dig in the Milana tree slowly and carefully, avoiding damage to the roots. It is not recommended to leave air spaces. The soil is compacted, and a shallow hole is made around the trunk.
Subsequent care of the crop
Growing Milan cherries requires proper care.
- Watering should be regular, and its frequency should be 30 days. For young trees you need to use at least 30 liters of water, and for large and fruit-bearing trees - at least 60 liters of liquid.
- After Milana cherries are planted in the ground, there is no need to feed the tree, because fertilizer was applied to the soil during planting. During the second year, it is recommended to fertilize the tree with nitrogen fertilizer - urea, which has a positive effect on the development of seedlings. After three years, fertilizer should be applied on a regular basis.
- Milana cherries are resistant to cold weather. But with the onset of winter, planted young seedlings need to be provided with additional protection. The soil around the tree trunk must be watered and dug up, and mineral fertilizers must be applied. To protect a small tree from frost, it needs to be tied with burlap, and the soil around it should be covered with snow.
- To avoid damage from rodents, the cherry tree can be covered with spruce wood, and the tree branches can be tightly tied with twine. You can take roofing felt and wrap it around the tree, and treat the area with a special poison designed to kill rodents.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Milana cherries are susceptible to a disease called coccomycosis.It appears as small brown spots that eventually grow throughout the tree. For preventive purposes, the tree must be treated using a solution of copper sulfate. This procedure should be performed at the beginning of kidney swelling.
Another common disease is cherry rot: brown, fruit or brown. Rotten berries should be removed immediately, and if there are a lot of them, preventative treatment should be carried out in early spring.
Of the cherry pests, the most dangerous is the cherry fly, which uses the sap of the fruit and leaves of the tree for its nutrition. When the berry reaches the desired size, the fly can lay its eggs in the cherry. After 7 days, larvae appear, feeding on the berry pulp.
To combat the cherry fly, it is recommended to use insecticides that are sprayed on the established buds.
Conclusion
Cherry Milana is a winter-hardy and early variety. The berries are distinguished by their size and strength, and their dessert properties will appeal to gardeners, who can use the harvest to prepare compotes or jams.
