Content
Cherries Ovstuzhenka, bred specifically for the central part of the Russian Federation, combines several valuable qualities at once. These are large-fruited, productive, cold-resistant, and excellent taste. Therefore, the variety is recognized as a leader. Gardeners even in the northern regions are rightfully interested in them. The tree is partially self-fertile. From 10% of flowers, ovaries may appear, even if there is no pollinator nearby.
History of selection
Variety cherries Ovstuzhenka was bred by breeder V. M. Kanyshina. Being suitable for cultivation in the central zone of Russia, it was included in the State Register in 2001. Crossed Leningradskaya black with Venyaminova Compact. The selection was carried out in Bryansk, Lupin Research Institute. The result is fairly early fruiting, combined with frost resistance. The southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region give the best feedback on the culture of this variety.
Description of culture
The tree gains growth, spreading in height, for the first five years. After this period, fruiting begins. As a result, the height of the Ovstuzhenka cherry tree is not very large. It has a thick spherical crown, which is convenient for collecting fruits and caring for them. The leaf is ovoid, pointed, with teeth, and has a short petiole. Ripe berries are almost black, weighing up to 7 grams. Have the following characteristics:
- round or oval shape, large size;
- dark burgundy color;
- juiciness, medium density, easily separated from the stone;
- taste – 4.5 points (on a 5-point scale), sweet;
- dry matter – up to 17.7%;
- sugar – 11.6%;
- ascorbic acid – 13.4 mg per 100 g.
The variety grows even in the harsh conditions of Siberia. The winter hardiness of the Ovstuzhenka cherry is very significant. But it was developed for the Central region, including Bryansk, Ivanovo, Moscow, Kaluga, Tula, and Smolensk regions. Tolerating slight frosts well, Ovstuzhenka must nevertheless be protected from northern winds and be in the sun.
Characteristics
Main characteristics cherry varieties Ovstuzhenka – versatility. Tasty, healthy berries with tonic qualities are suitable for consumption both fresh and processed for storage. The variety has also gained popularity due to its resistance to frost; it can be cultivated in a wide variety of climatic conditions. Ovstuzhenka is often chosen for cultivation in private gardens due to its unpretentiousness and good early harvest.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The variety can tolerate cold temperatures down to -45 degrees. The frost resistance of the Ovstuzhenka cherry allows it to be grown in all regions. As for drought, the tree requires timely watering.The variety is very moisture-loving. 1 tree requires 15–20 liters.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Flowering of cherry trees is observed in the second ten days of May. The inflorescences consist of 3 large snow-white flowers. Frost resistance of flower and vegetative buds is considered a distinctive feature of Ovstuzhenka trees.
When the fruits of Ovstuzhenka become dark, ripeness begins and it’s time to harvest. The usual ripening is the end of June, in the southern regions it is the middle of the month, and the Trans-Ural region harvests 30 days later. Pollinators for Ovstuzhenka cherries are simultaneously flowering varieties.
Productivity, fruiting
Ovstuzhenka forms numerous ovaries after flowering if other varieties of cherries grow close to it. In this case, you can get 32 kg from a tree, which is a high figure. Scientific tests were carried out, as a result of which the yield from one hectare of Ovstuzhenka trees amounted to up to 206 centners of fruit per year.
To ensure good preservation of cherry fruits, they are picked by hand along with the stalks. Otherwise, the beneficial composition of the substances may be lost. The berries do not crack and can be transported over long distances.
Area of application of berries
Cherry is a very healthy berry. This dark-colored variety strengthens the heart and blood vessels. The chemical composition contains the entire complex of multivitamins, sufficient to compensate for the deficiency due to vitamin deficiency.
The fruits of Ovstuzhenka are used as fresh food. But desserts, jams and compotes made from them are also good. The berries can be frozen.
Resistance to diseases and pests
When carrying out preventive spraying and treating the trunk with whitewash, the Ovstuzhenka cherry tree shows invulnerability to fungal diseases.
Prevention against insects also guarantees health. But cold winds and rodent attacks are serious dangers for Ovstuzhenka trees, so thorough protection is required.
Advantages and disadvantages
The good qualities of Ovstuzhenka cherries include the following:
- resistance to cold, growth in any climate;
- the size of the tree is not too large, making it easy to care for;
- excellent taste of large fruits;
- resistance to fungi;
- early maturation;
- high yield.
In the reviews of summer residents about the Ovstuzhenka cherry in the Moscow region, the disadvantages include low self-pollination (10%), as well as instability of the branches to cold.
Landing Features
When planting Ovstuzhenka cherries in the spring, you need to make preparations on the site in the fall.
- Dig holes 0.8 m wide and 1 m deep.
- Fill them a third with the mixture: 1 kg of wood ash, 3 kg of superphosphate, 2 buckets of soil, 1 kg of potassium sulfate, 30 kg of rotted manure or compost.
Subject to such preparation, Ovstuzhenka cherry trees are planted immediately in the spring, but for autumn planting, two weeks of preparation are required.
Recommended timing
In warm regions, autumn planting of Ovstuzhenka cherries is recommended for rooting, and at the latitude of the Moscow region - spring planting.
From mid to late April, the site is prepared and seedlings are placed. By this time the earth should have time to warm up.
Autumn time - mid-October.The soil is not dry from the heat, but warm.
Choosing a suitable location
Ovstuzhenka cherries are placed on southern (or southwestern) slopes illuminated by the sun.
Requires fertile (loamy, sandy loam) soil with low groundwater. Clay and sandy soil and peat are not suitable for growing cherries. If the soil is clayey, pour 2 buckets of sand into the bottom of the hole. And if it’s sandy, there’s the same amount of clay.
The soil must be raised by 50 cm. In this case, the groundwater must be at a depth of at least 1.5 meters.
Ovstuzhenka cherry plants are placed for rooting at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from one another. 12 square meters are allocated for each tree. m or more.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries?
The key to a full yield is to plant several cherries of a different variety nearby (at least three). Pollinators must bloom at the same time.
The best varieties are:
- Pink pearls;
- And the way;
- Tyutchevka;
- Raditsa;
- Revna;
- Bryansk Pink.
The effect is also achieved when the cherry is pollinated by trees from a neighboring garden.
Honey plants and green manure are planted behind the trunk circle. By mowing these plants, you get mulch that nourishes the tree.
It is strictly forbidden to plant crops with a higher trunk height next to each other: apple trees, cherries, pears. Cherry Ovstuzhenka must have access to sunlight.
It is not recommended to plant shrubs or strawberries under cherries: the developed root system of cherries will not allow low-growing crops to develop normally.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Growing Ovstuzhenka cherries requires the right choice of seedlings, which are best purchased at a nursery or garden store. This guarantees the authenticity of the variety.
Pay attention to the following signs:
- The grafting site must be clearly visible - an indicator of the variety.
- Sufficient number of branches.
- No wrinkles or spots on the bark.
- There are no dried roots among them.
The tree must have a powerful central stem and shoots, one or two years old. This is the only way to get a good crown with sufficient branching for fruiting. Without a stable trunk, the Ovstuzhenka cherry can break under the weight of the fruit.
Purchased planting material does not require special preparation. It is more important to work with the soil. However, it is important that the seedling is clean, without any obstacles on the roots for “breathing” and nutrition.
Landing algorithm
Planting Ovstuzhenka cherries is traditional for all varieties of this crop.
- A stake is driven into the hole to support the tree.
- A hill is made at the bottom to install the plant.
- Straighten the root system, raising the neck 5 cm above the ground, sprinkle with earth.
- You need to shake the seedling a little to remove voids, and then compact the soil.
- Make a hole half a meter from the tree.
- Water is poured into it - 20 liters.
- The circle around the trunk is covered with straw, and the tree is tied to a support.
- During the first pruning, the 4 largest branches are left.
- Having placed the seedling in a favorable place, shoots are removed from the trunk at a level of up to 1 meter, due to which the crown is formed faster.
The tree trunk circle requires regular cleaning.It is also necessary to water the cherries, avoiding dirt and stagnation of moisture, otherwise the roots will not be able to breathe. Loosening is recommended (8 or 10 cm deep), including after rains, to maintain the fertility of the soil composition.
Subsequent care of the crop
- The crown of the cherry tree is formed by pruning. To do this, shorten the skeletal branches for 4 years. Then they are thinned out annually and sanitary removed. At the same time, growth is somewhat limited, which makes the tree compact and convenient for harvesting.
- Watering in July - August is not advisable, as it reduces frost resistance and slows down the development of branches, but at other times it is favorable.
- Spraying is carried out against diseases and pests.
- Horse manure is considered the best fertilizer that is added to the soil in the fall. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are used, which accelerates development. This is urea, scattered around the tree trunk.
- After harvesting, the tree needs to be prepared for the cold season. To do this, in July or August, cherries are fed (potassium sulfate, superphosphate).
- Whitewashing the trunk, done in the fall, will create protection from frost damage.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Ovstuzhenka cherry is characterized by the presence of immunity against coccomycosis and moniliosis. But it requires timely spraying. Treat with nitrophen and use copper sulfate.
In spring, cherries will not be afraid of fungi.
By treating it against insects, the gardener will protect the tree from diseases that they can introduce.
A well-groomed tree does not suffer from gum disease - you need to keep the trunk area clean.
Rodents are dangerous for Ovstuzhenka cherries. To protect against them, nets are used, spreading them over the surface of the soil around the trunk.
Conclusion
Cherry Ovstuzhenka has 10 vitamins out of 25 necessary for a person. It is partly self-fertile, which is an advantage: ovaries are always guaranteed. The variety is also early and frost-resistant, very productive in the presence of pollinators. Such valuable qualities of the tree will certainly please the gardener as a result of proper care.
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