Content
Cherry trees are one of the most popular among gardeners. Cherry Rodina is a variety known for its high resistance to frost and juicy fruits. It is interesting to learn more about the features of this tree.
History of variety selection
The Rodina variety was obtained in 1994 in a rather unusual way - using electromagnetic irradiation. The source was the Slava Zhukova cherry, and the originators are the breeders of the Research Institute I.V. Michurina. At the moment, the variety is still under the state variety testing procedure.
Description of the cherry variety Rodina
Externally, the cherry variety is a medium-height tree, no more than 3–4 m, with a dense pyramidal crown. The shoots of Rodina are long, medium in thickness, straight, covered with smooth red-brown bark. The leaves of the fruit tree are green, relatively small, with sharp teeth along the edge of the leaf.The petioles are short, and the flowers are white and large, appearing on the branches in May in abundance.
Cherry Rodina bears quite large fruits weighing about 5 g, covered with dark, almost black burgundy skin. The tree's berries are round-heart-shaped in shape, with a small depression in the middle. The taste of cherries is sweet with noticeable sourness; according to the tasting scale, it is rated at 4.5 points out of a maximum possible 5. The berries are universal - suitable for both quick consumption and transportation.
The best region for planting Rodina cherries is considered to be central Russia - the Central Black Earth region. However, this variety was bred to be frost-resistant, so it is recommended to plant it also in the northern regions. It tolerates low temperatures and weather changes well, and is not harmed by sudden spring frosts.
Characteristics of the variety
To understand how well a variety is suitable for growing in specific conditions, it is necessary to study its characteristics. The characteristics of the Rodina cherry look quite attractive to gardeners.
Frost resistance of cherry Rodina
The variety has increased resistance to negative temperatures. Among the recommended areas for growing fruit trees are Siberia and even the countries of Scandinavia - the variety tolerates temperatures below - 30 degrees. Rodina also survives return frosts well in the spring, which are especially dangerous for fruit trees. Sudden drops in temperature do not affect the yield and fruiting of the plant.
Pollinators of cherry Rodina
The variety is self-sterile and cannot produce a bountiful harvest on its own, without nearby pollinators.In order to get fruits from the Rodina cherry, it is necessary to plant other cherry varieties with similar flowering periods next to it. These varieties can be:
- Fairy tale - a winter-hardy tree with flowering in early May and harvest in late May - early June, bearing large red-burgundy fruits.
- Yaroslavna - cherry blossoms at the same time as the Rodina variety and bears fruit in early summer. Among the advantages of the variety are not only delicious dark red fruits up to 7 g each, but also excellent resistance to frost, drought and disease.
- Valery Chkalov - frost-resistant cherries that bloom in late April - early May and bear fruit no later than mid-June. Produces dark red sweet fruits weighing up to 8 g each.
Productivity and fruiting
The Rodina variety refers to trees with early fruit ripening. With proper care and normal development of the tree, you can get fruits as early as late May or early June. The yield of the variety is considered abundant - up to 30 kg of berries from one tree. The plant bears fruit for the first time in the 4th or 5th year after rooting in the garden and after that it pleases with large harvests every year.
Area of application of berries
Cherry fruits of this variety are classified as universal. This means that they can be consumed fresh, in compotes and jams, as an ingredient for baking and desserts. The berries are well transported, so if desired, they can be sent for sale.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety has strong immunity and is almost not susceptible to common diseases.In particular, there is high resistance to coccomycosis. This fungal infection often affects the leaves of fruit trees, leaving unsightly brown spots on them and leading to curling and drying out of the foliage.
At the same time, garden pests, such as cherry flies or aphids, still remain dangerous for Rodina cherries. Therefore, you need to monitor the condition of the tree very carefully and not forget about high-quality prevention.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Among the advantages of Rodina cherries are:
- high yield and good transportability of fruits — this allows you to use them not only for personal, but also for commercial purposes;
- increased resistance to low temperatures — the plant is excellent for cultivation in cold regions;
- good immunity to diseases, especially often affecting fruit trees - cherries are quite easy to care for.
The only drawback can be considered the self-sterility of the variety and the need to plant pollinators nearby. However, if there are other early flowering cherries in the garden, this feature will not cause any problems.
Landing Features
Cherries called Rodina are planted in the same way as most other varieties of cherries. However, it would be useful to remember the basic rules.
Recommended timing
The permitted dates for planting cherries are both spring and autumn. But in fact, autumn planting is practiced in southern regions with mild winters. In the middle zone and in the north, it is better to plant cherries in the spring, shortly before the growing season and after frosts - this will protect the seedlings from freezing.
Choosing a suitable location
Like any cherry, the Rodina variety prefers open sunny places. It is better to choose light soil with good ventilation.Loam and sandy loam are ideal.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
Optimal neighbors for cherry Homeland are cherry trees or other cherries that can take on the role of pollinators. But apple and pear trees should not be planted in close proximity.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The main and practically the only requirement for a Rodina cherry seedling is the presence of thick, healthy, intact roots. Immediately before planting, they can be kept in water for a while.
Landing algorithm
Planting a young plant is carried out quite standardly.
- The hole for the seedling should be quite spacious - approximately twice as large as the volume of the roots.
- Organic fertilizers mixed with soil should be placed at the bottom of the hole - they will contribute to the rapid growth of the tree.
- The seedling is lowered into a hole approximately half filled with soil and covered with soil to the top on top of the roots. Then 2–4 buckets of water are immediately added under the trunk, and then the soil is mulched in a circle.
Aftercare for cherries
Caring for the Rodina cherry is quite simple - it requires minimal attention.
- The tree should be pruned to a minimum - once a year, the shoots after fruiting are shortened by a quarter, and dry, twisted, and unhealthy branches are removed.
- Watering of cherries is carried out depending on the weather. It is imperative to supply the tree with moisture before flowering, after it, before fruiting and shortly before the arrival of winter - each time 3-4 buckets of water under the trunk. Otherwise, natural precipitation will suffice for cherries.The main thing is to prevent the soil from drying out completely or becoming excessively waterlogged.
- During the first 3 years of growth, the seedling has enough fertilizer placed in the planting hole. After 4 years of life, you can introduce annual fertilizing - nitrogenous substances in the spring, potassium in the summer and fluorine-containing substances in the fall.
In mid-autumn, the tree needs to be watered for the last time, mulch the soil around the trunk and treat the cherry with a fluoride-containing solution. To prevent the tree from freezing over the winter and from being damaged by rodents, it is recommended to compact the snow tightly around the trunk and cover the trunk itself with insulating material.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The Rodina variety is quite resistant to diseases and pests. But some diseases can affect him too, namely:
- Clusterosporiosis;
- phyllosticosis;
- Cherry cancer.
In all cases, it is urgent to trim all unhealthy parts and treat the sections with copper sulfate. To prevent diseases in the spring, the crown and trunk are sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
In addition, cherries are harmed by fruit insects - such as weevils, cherry flies, and aphids. The best protection against them will be the timely removal of all dry and rotting parts and sanitary cleaning of the soil near the trunk. If pests do appear on leaves or fruits, they need to be controlled with insecticidal agents.
Conclusion
Sweet cherry Rodina is an unpretentious and easy to care for fruit variety. With basic care, the tree will decorate the garden and will regularly produce very abundant harvests.
Reviews from summer residents about Rodina cherries
