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Cherry Assol is a mid-season, productive variety, recently developed. Included in the State Register since 2010. The self-pollinating variety is loved by summer residents for its unpretentiousness, resistance to drought and frost resistance, as well as for its multi-purpose fruits.
Many gardeners are confident that varieties that do without pollinators still increase productivity if trees of a similar type grow nearby.
Description of the Assol cherry variety
Breeders recommend growing Assol cherries in the Central region. During its distribution, the variety gained popularity in the Moscow region, but it is planted not only here, even in the Urals and Siberia, as well as in the southern regions.
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
The Assol variety has a medium-sized tree, convenient for careful care and for collecting fruits:
- rises to 2-2.5 m;
- the pyramidal crown is wide-spreading, round, with slightly drooping or straight shoots;
- not prone to thickening;
- The bark of the branches is brown, smooth.
The tree is fast-growing - already by the beginning of fruiting, 3-4 years after planting, it reaches the declared height - no more than 3 m. The medium-sized leaves are somewhat elongated, obovate, of the usual dark green color, with a pointed tip. The leaf blades are slightly wrinkled, matte, with finely serrated edges.
Without proper pruning, it can turn into a shrub, since shoots grow densely from below.
Description of fruits
Assol cherry berries, according to the variety description and photo, are medium in size - 4-4.2 g. The fruits are round, with juicy sweet and sour pulp. The small bone is easily separated from the pulp. The berries contain 15% dry matter, 10% sugar, 1.3% acid. Tasters rated Assol cherry fruits at 4.7 points. Cherries in the phase of full ripeness cannot be left on the branches for a long time, since although they are supported by the stalks, they quickly lose their taste properties and the quality of their dense, elastic pulp. The Assol variety is suitable for planting in the southern regions; the fruits tolerate the sun well.
The skin of the fruit of the Assol variety is dark red, the flesh is the same color
Pollinators of the Assol cherry
The tree blooms in the recommended growing regions mainly by mid-May; the flowering period is short. The variety is self-fertile. The authors of cherry indicate that this property of the tree does not affect the volume of the harvest.
Main characteristics of Assol cherries
The mid-season cherry variety Assol, judging by the photo and description of the variety, is productive. From a medium-sized tree, 10-12 kg of juicy and tasty berries are collected.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Since the Assol cherry was bred for the central regions of Russia, the tree has average winter hardiness and at the same time is drought-resistant. The variety is suitable for cultivation in the 4th frost resistance zone, which includes many regions of Russia. The wood can withstand frost up to 30 °C. Like many cherry trees, Assol tolerates long periods of drought, but with regular, infrequent watering, the yield increases significantly.
Productivity
The seedling is formed over 3-4 years. The first fruits appear in the 3-4th, sometimes in the 5th year after planting. At first the yield is low, then after 2 years it increases to 7 or 10-15 kg per tree. The berries of the mid-season Assol variety are filled with juice by the end of June. Fruiting lasts until early July. The berries must be picked quickly as they spoil, especially on rainy days.
Cherry yield depends on:
- from soil fertility;
- proper planting of seedlings;
- proper watering and fertilizing.
Juicy, soft cherries are not transported long distances. Possible transportation of 100-200 km:
- in small containers;
- in sealed packaging;
- if the berries are picked with the stalks.
The berries remain marketable for up to 20 hours. Refrigerate for up to 2 days. The fruits of the Assol cherry are universal in purpose. Used fresh as dessert, and for various preparations.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners are attracted by the positive properties of the Assol variety:
- self-fertility;
- good yield;
- resistance to some diseases characteristic of the culture;
- the adaptability of wood to the climatic conditions of the Central region of Russia, which includes such characteristics as frost resistance and drought resistance.
As a disadvantage, some gardeners note the excessive acidity of the berries.The reason for this property is illiterate excessive watering, rainy summers or picking fruits that have not reached the full ripeness phase.
Planting Assol cherries
Compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology when planting a cherry tree predetermines its further development and fruiting. It is important to pay attention to each stage of cultural construction.
Recommended timing
In the climate of the middle zone, it is recommended to plant cherries in the spring at the end of April, early May. Over the summer, the tree takes root, grows stronger, expands its crown and subsequently easily endures the winter.
Having bought a seedling with a closed root system, it is also better to move the cherry to a permanent place at least until mid-June
Site selection and soil preparation
The Assol cherry variety is unpretentious, develops well and bears fruit on any type of soil, but the best results are obtained on soils with neutral acidity.
When planting cherries, you need to find a place for the tree in the garden that meets the following requirements:
- groundwater is no higher than 2 m to the surface of the earth;
- the plot is sunny, not shaded by buildings and tall ornamental trees;
- not blown by north winds;
- When placing several cherries, dig planting holes at a distance of at least 3-4 m so that the tree crowns are well ventilated.
How to plant correctly
High-quality cherry seedlings of the Assol variety are selected according to the following characteristics:
- tree age – 1-2 years;
- height from 1 to 1.5 m;
- trunk diameter – 1.5 cm;
- the tree has at least 10 branches, up to 50 cm long;
- The length of the root shoots is at least 25 cm.
In the selected area, dig a planting hole up to 50-70 cm deep and the same width.A larger volume is chosen if a special substrate is laid on soils that are not favorable for cherries. On clay soil, humus, sand, and peat are added to the top fertile layer. If the soil is predominantly peaty or sandy, some clay and humus are mixed into the pit. Add 500 ml of wood ash, 25-30 g of potassium chloride, 50-60 g of superphosphate to the planting substrate.
Before planting, cherry roots are soaked in a clay mash for several hours. Selected growth stimulants are added to the mixture if desired.
Features of care
The tree is not picky. With proper watering and fertilizing, it shows good yield.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
In the first year of growth, Assol cherries are watered 1-2 times a week. Trees are watered four times a month if there is no rain.
Superphosphate and wood ash are used as fertilizer, applying substances along the perimeter of the crown two to three times during the summer. Nitrogen fertilizers are used in early spring and after flowering. When the ovaries form, organic matter is added - mullein, wood ash or complex fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium, which are bought in various proportions in gardening stores. The last feeding is carried out in August with superphosphate.
In October, moisture-recharging irrigation is desirable - up to 60-70 liters per tree.
Trimming
Prune Assol cherries in the fall, removing damaged shoots and growth from below. Formative pruning is carried out in February or early March.
Preparing for winter
In the fall, after sanitary pruning, the trunk is whitened with lime mortar. With the first frost, the tree is wrapped with protective material against rodents. The soil near the trunk is mulched.
Diseases and pests
The Assol variety is resistant to scab and coccomycosis, and is relatively rarely affected by moniliosis. The tree may be susceptible to some other diseases, so mandatory prevention is carried out in the spring. The cherry and the tree trunk are sprayed with copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture or modern fungicides, which are also used in the initial stages of infection: Fitosporin, Polyram, Topsin, Horus.
Insecticides are used against leaf-eating insects and larvae of flies or beetles that damage berries. But it is more effective to spray in early spring and remove leaves in the fall, cleaning the bark where insects overwinter.
Conclusion
Assol cherry belongs to the new self-fertile varieties, popular for their yield and unpretentiousness to the weather conditions of central Russia. The right choice of location and proper care ensure an abundant collection of delicious, vitamin-rich berries.
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