Content
To grow a beautiful garden on a small plot, many gardeners purchase columnar fruit crops. They do not take up much space, are easy to care for, and harvesting is quick and easy. Cherry Delight is the ideal solution for a small garden. But before purchasing a seedling, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the external characteristics and find out all the positive and negative qualities.
Description of columnar cherry Delight
Columnar cherry variety Delight is a small tree with a compact root system. Thanks to this, it can be grown not only in open ground, but also in large flowerpots. But since this fruit crop is not frost-resistant and can die during severe frosts, it is not recommended to be planted in regions with an unstable climate.
Suitable for small garden plots
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
Cherry variety Delight belongs to the columnar, dwarf type. When grown in the garden it grows up to 2 meters. The narrow pyramidal crown practically does not branch, so harvesting occurs quickly. In spring, small, oblong, emerald leaves appear on the tree. In May, the fruit crop is covered with snow-white, fragrant flowers.
Description of fruits
Columnar cherry variety Delight, according to the description, photos and reviews, bears fruit with bright burgundy juicy, sweet berries no larger than 15 g. The separation from the stalk is dry, the stone is easily separated from the bright red pulp with small pink veins. When overripe, the berries fall off, so harvesting must be done in a timely manner.
Cherry Delight pollinators
Cherry Vostorg is a partially self-sterile variety. Without pollinators, the tree produces 50% of the possible yield. Therefore, in order to achieve maximum fruiting, pollinating varieties are planted next to the columnar Vostorg cherry. The Ashinsky hybrid is perfect for Delight cherries. Since both species bloom in May, they will be able to pollinate each other, thereby increasing yield.
Main characteristics
Cherry Vostorg is a conditionally columnar variety. It is suitable for growing in small areas in regions with warm winters. But before purchasing a Delight cherry seedling, it is important to read the description, reviews and view photos.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Pyramid cherry Delight is not a winter-hardy fruit crop. Therefore, it is not recommended to grow the plant in regions with cold winters.But if you like the variety, and the weather does not allow it to be grown without shelter, then the tree is wrapped in agrofibre for the winter, and the soil is insulated with a layer of mulch.
The root system of the fruit crop is located superficially, so in dry summers the tree is watered regularly and abundantly. At least 1 bucket of water is consumed per plant.
Productivity
Cherry Vostorg is a mid-season variety. The seedling begins to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting. The berries ripen in mid-July; if agrotechnical rules are followed, up to 35 kg of tasty and healthy harvest can be harvested from an adult tree. The volume depends on compliance with care rules, weather conditions and the presence of pollinating varieties.
Since the berry has juicy, sweet pulp, it is used to make compotes, preserves and jams. It can also be dried and frozen. For harvesting, choose a sunny, low-wind day. The collected berries are placed in boxes covered with paper. Without additional processing, the harvested crop remains fresh for a week if stored in a cool room.
The harvested crop will be enjoyed by children and adults
Advantages and disadvantages
Cherry Delight, like any fruit crop, has its positive and negative sides. The advantages include:
- productivity;
- compact size;
- unpretentiousness;
- decorative appearance;
- immunity to many diseases;
- good taste.
Disadvantages include partial self-sterility and low frost resistance.
Landing rules
In order for the garden to be decorative, beautifully flowering and productive, it is important to choose the right seedling and choose a site for planting.Also, fruiting, growth and development of the tree depend on compliance with planting rules and further care.
The seedling must be purchased from trusted suppliers or garden centers. A healthy plant should have a strong root system with no signs of drying out or rot. The trunk must be evenly colored, have an intact apical bud, and a bark without cracks or damage.
Recommended timing
Cherry Delight can be planted in spring and autumn. Spring planting is suitable for growing fruit crops in the Central region of Russia. Over the summer, the cherry will grow roots, be able to adapt to a new place and safely go into hibernation.
Autumn planting is suitable for the southern regions. The seedling is planted in a prepared place a month before the onset of cold weather.
Site selection and soil preparation
Since cherries are heat-loving crops, the planting site should be located on the south side and protected from north winds. Cherries prefer loose, fertile and well-drained soil. The location of groundwater is 1.5-2 meters.
How to plant correctly
Planting cherry seedlings is a crucial moment, since the growth and development of an adult tree depends on it. Planting technology:
- Dig a planting hole measuring 50x60 cm.
- A layer of drainage is laid on the bottom: broken brick, expanded clay or pebbles.
- The excavated soil is mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers.
- The seedling is placed in the center so that the root collar is located 5 cm from the surface of the ground.
- The voids are filled with a nutrient mixture.
- The top layer is compacted, spilled and mulched.
The root collar should be located above the ground surface
Features of care
Columnar cherry, according to reviews and descriptions, is an unpretentious variety. But this does not mean that you need to forget about the planted plant. In order for it to bear fruit well, it is important to carry out timely watering, fertilizing, pruning and disease prevention.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Since the tree’s root system is superficial, it cannot extract moisture from the depths of the earth. Therefore, the young seedling is watered 1-2 times every 14 days. In dry summers, irrigation is carried out weekly. At least 10 liters of water are consumed per plant. An adult, strong tree is watered 4 times a season:
- during flowering;
- during the period of fruit formation;
- after harvest;
- in the fall, before the onset of cold weather.
Fertilizing is carried out during the growing season. To do this, use nitrogenous fertilizers diluted strictly according to the instructions. During the flowering period, a universal complex is applied under the tree. After harvesting, the tree is fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Trimming
Cherry Delight is a columnar variety, so the tree does not need formative pruning. It grows almost vertically, without forming side shoots. But every spring the tree must be inspected and dry, disease-damaged shoots that have not overwintered must be removed. The procedure is carried out with a sharp, sterile instrument, the cut is treated with garden varnish.
Preparing for winter
Since columnar varieties are not highly frost-resistant, the plant needs to be prepared and covered for the winter. To do this, a month before the onset of cold weather, the soil is shed generously and mulched with straw, leaves, rotted humus or compost. A week before the first frost, the crown is wrapped in agrofibre, burlap or spandex.To protect against rodents, a metal frame is installed or the trunk is wrapped in mesh.
Diseases and pests
Cherry Delight is resistant to many diseases. But if agrotechnical rules are not followed, the tree can be affected by diseases and pests, for example:
- Cherry weevil – the beetle appears in early spring. It feeds on the juice of swollen buds, without treatment it switches to flowers, leaves and fruits. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, you may be left without a harvest. Help consists of treating the wood with insecticides, diluted strictly according to the instructions.
- Aphid – appears in large colonies on young foliage. Pests suck the sap from the tree. It weakens, lags behind in growth and development, and productivity decreases. The leaf blade curls into a tube, dries out and falls off. To destroy colonies, use tobacco infusion with the addition of laundry soap.
- Hole spot – an infectious disease affects young leaves, buds and fruits. The leaf blade becomes covered with brown spots, which dry out and fall out. For prevention, the tree is treated with Bordeaux mixture and colloidal sulfur.
Conclusion
Cherry Vostorg is a columnar variety, suitable for growing in small garden plots. The tree is highly productive, decorative and unpretentious. If you follow agrotechnical rules, you can remove 30 kg of tasty and healthy berries from an adult crop, which is perfect for preparing winter canning.
