Content
Cherry Zarya of the Volga region is a hybrid bred as a result of crossing two varieties: Krasa Severa and Vladimirskaya. The resulting plant has high frost resistance, good disease resistance and small dimensions. This cherry tree does not require pollinators.
Description of the Zarya Volga region cherry
Compact trees with a trunk with a diameter of no more than 7-10 cm. At a height of about 1 m, it branches into two large branches. The crown density is low, the foliage is average.
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
An adult Zarya Volga region cherry rarely reaches a height of more than 2.5 m. Moreover, even if stimulating pruning is carried out, it is not possible to achieve a higher value. Therefore, the plant is formed with a spherical, medium-spreading crown with a diameter of up to 2 m.
Appearance of the plant crown
Description of fruits
The fruits of the Volga Zarya cherry are red. They have a flat-round shape. The weight of the berries is from 4 to 5 g.
Appearance of ripened fruits of the Zarya Volga cherry
The tasting characteristics of the berries are high. On a five-point scale they are given a rating of 4.5. The berries do not fall off when ripe and do not bake in the sun.
Does the Zarya Volga cherry need a pollinator?
This variety is self-fertile. Does not require pollinators.
Main characteristics
In general, the Zarya Volga region cherry variety has balanced characteristics. It can be recommended for both beginners and experienced gardeners as a plant in private households. It is not recommended to use the Zarya Volga region cherry variety for commercial purposes, since the payback per unit area is less than that of most similar varieties.
Appearance of a flowering plant at the age of 5 years
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The plant's frost resistance corresponds to zone 4. The Zarya Volga region cherry can withstand frosts down to -30 °C. In the Middle Zone the plant does not need shelter.
The drought resistance of the Zarya Volga cherry is average. It is not recommended to take breaks in watering for more than 10 days.
Productivity
The variety is early ripening. The harvest takes place at the end of June. The yield is about 150 kg per hundred square meters. You can increase it for Zarya Volga cherries by applying fertilizers. Fruiting occurs in the 4th year of the plant’s life.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive properties of the variety include:
- high winter hardiness;
- compactness of the tree crown and its convenient shape;
- early maturation;
- self-fertility of the variety (theoretically, a cherry orchard can generally consist of a monoculture);
- excellent taste of the fruit;
- the versatility of their application.
The Volga region Zari cherry variety has the following negative qualities:
- low resistance to fungal diseases;
- relatively low yield.
The last of the shortcomings is controversial. Absolute yield indicators for Zarya Volga cherries may be small. But if you take into account the size of the crown and the compact placement of plants on the site, the stated figure is 1.5 kg per 1 sq. m is quite acceptable.
How to plant Zarya Volga region cherries
Tree planting begins with the selection of seedlings. As such, planting material grown in the same region should be used. This ensures good survival of young plants.
Recommended timing
Depending on the condition of the purchased planting material, the timing of its planting in the ground is determined. It should be remembered that Zarya Volga region cherry seedlings with an open root system should take root in spring or autumn. If the young plant is sold in containers, it can be planted at any time during the warm season.
Saplings of the Dawn of the Volga region
It is believed that the best time for planting is the beginning of May, when the soil has already warmed up thoroughly. At this time of year there will be good sap flow and good growth rates of seedlings. On the other hand, it is also possible to plant Zarya Povolzhye cherries in the fall. In this case, the tree will be able to adapt better and next year, after emerging from dormancy, begin development in a “natural” way.
Site selection and soil preparation
Cherry Dawn of the Volga region requires a sunny area, located on a slight hill. The ideal option would be the top of the southern slope, protected from the north by a fence.
The plant loves sandy loam soils, a compromise option is loam.The acidity should be neutral. It is recommended to lime soils that are too acidic with wood ash or dolomite flour. The introduction of these components is allowed during planting.
Landing algorithm
The depth of the hole for planting Zarya Volga cherries should be about 50-80 cm. Ultimately, it depends on the groundwater level. The higher it is, the larger the hole is recommended, since drainage will have to be laid at the bottom. Typically, gravel or small crushed stone is used as the latter.
The diameter of the hole depends on the size of the root system and should be 10-15 cm larger than it. Therefore, its recommended value is 60-80 cm.
Before planting, a nutrient mixture of the following composition is added to the hole on top of the drainage:
- garden soil - 10 l;
- humus – 10 l;
- superphosphate – 200 g;
- potassium salt – 50 g.
At the same stage, you can add the lime component.
It is recommended to soak the roots of young cherries in Epin or Kornevin 5-6 hours before planting in the ground. After the seedling has settled in the stimulator, planting begins, which is carried out according to the following scheme:
- The pre-prepared nutrient mixture is poured into a hole dug for planting a tree.
- The top layer of the mixture is additionally mixed with ash or dolomite flour (if there is a need to reduce the acidity of the soil).
- A small mound is formed from the top layer of the mixture.
- A support is driven into the hole, and a seedling is installed next to it, in the center.
- The roots of the seedling are carefully and evenly distributed along the slopes of the mound.
- The roots are covered from above to the ground level with the remains of the soil mixture.
- The soil around the young tree is compacted.
- After planting, young trees are watered (20 liters of warm water for each specimen).
After planting, it is recommended to mulch the layer of soil around the tree.
Installation of cherry seedling Zarya Povolzhya in a hole during planting
Features of care
During the first year, seedlings require a certain care procedure, without which there is a high probability that they will die or be inhibited in their development. Care consists of timely watering, fertilizing and pruning.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Watering is carried out as the soil dries out. Typically, a scheme is used in which one abundant watering is done over fairly large periods of time. In this case, maximum rooting speed is achieved.
It is recommended to carry out this procedure once every 7-10 days, depending on the weather and air humidity. The norm is 20 liters per tree. If the level of natural precipitation is sufficient, artificial watering may not be necessary.
For young trees, root feeding is recommended. In the first half of the warm season (until June), nitrogen fertilizers should be applied as they stimulate vegetation and abundant growth of green mass.
After flowering, you can add superphosphate. Before wintering, it is recommended to use organic fertilizers in the form of humus or bird droppings diluted in water.
Trimming
Forming the correct spherical crown will require mandatory tree pruning. This procedure is carried out exclusively in spring (before buds open) or autumn (after leaf fall).In this case, the following actions are carried out:
- form the appearance of the crown in the form of a ball or an elongated ellipse;
- prune damaged or diseased shoots;
- remove branches growing at sharp angles inside the crown.
Typically, pruning is done using a sector. Sections with a diameter of more than 10 mm are treated with garden varnish.
Preparing for winter
There is no preparation of the tree for winter as such. Since the plant can withstand temperatures down to -30 °C, the Zarya Volga cherry does not need any shelter.
Diseases and pests
Among the plant's vulnerabilities to diseases, one can note only various fungal infections. Methods for their treatment and prevention are standard: treatment with copper-containing preparations. The first procedure is carried out with a solution of 1% Bordeaux mixture even before the buds open. The second - about a week after fruit set. In case of white rot or powdery mildew, it is recommended to remove damaged wood fragments.
Of the pests, the greatest concern can be caused by rodents (for example, hares), which eat the bark in the lower part of trees. To combat this phenomenon, it is necessary to whitewash tree trunks with lime to a height of about 1 m at the end of autumn.
Feathered pests (for example, starlings) do not show interest in the Zarya Volga cherry, so there is no need to arrange any traps in the form of nets or install scarecrows on the site during the ripening of the fruits.
Conclusion
Cherry Zarya of the Volga region is a frost-resistant variety adapted for cultivation in the Middle Zone. For its compact size, this variety has relatively good yields, as well as good performance indicators.With timely organization of preventive measures, the variety is practically invulnerable to diseases.
Reviews
