Content
Most fruit trees are self-fertile. This means that if there are no related crops nearby that can pollinate the plant, the yield will reach only 5% of the possible one. Therefore, self-fertile varieties are highly valued, especially in small areas. If 2-3 apple trees in a private garden are always appropriate, then a second or third cherry tree may be superfluous. Lyubskaya is a variety with high self-fertility, that is, without pollinators it can produce more than 50% of the possible yield.
History of selection
The origin of the Lyubskaya (Lyubka) cherry is unknown for certain. This is a folk selection variety that has been grown in the Kursk region since the 19th century. From there it spread throughout the entire Central Belt, and in 1947, at the instigation of the Moscow Federal State Budgetary Institution VSTISP, was adopted by the State Register. The first description of the Lyubskaya cherry was given by Michurin’s contemporary, scientist N.I. Kichunov.
It is interesting that the Lyubskaya cherry in the Moscow region behaves completely differently than, for example, in the North Caucasus. The variety is prone to random mutations, which is why not only in different conditions, but also in neighboring gardens, trees can grow that differ in yield, habit, size and quality of fruits. Because of this, “fruitful”, “bouquet”, etc. are often added to the name of the Lyubskaya cultivar.
Description of culture
Usually the Lyubskaya variety is grown as a shrub, although in the State Register the cherry is listed as ordinary, not steppe. In the northern regions, the tree is given this shape by pruning so that it can winter better. In the south, Lyubskaya cherries can be grown on a trunk.
The variety is a small tree, not exceeding 2.5 m in height. The trunk is covered with grayish-brown bark, covered with cracks. The branches are spaced approximately 45⁰ from the trunk and form a sparse weeping crown. This can be seen in the photo of the Lyubskaya cherry tree.
The buds from the shoots deviate slightly, the oval dark green leaves are pointed at the base and at the end. Lyubskaya flowers are collected in 3-4 pieces, white, located on a stalk up to 3 cm long.
Fruiting occurs late, mostly on annual branches. Berries of uneven size, medium or large, weighing up to 5 g. Their shape is almost round, with a blunt tip. The color of the fruit is dark red, with a light stripe running along the clearly visible abdominal seam. The pulp of the Lyubskaya cherry is red, juicy, with a mediocre sour taste.
The round seed with a sharp tip is easily separated, its size in relation to the berry is 6-8%.The green fruits sit firmly on the stalk; as they ripen, the connection weakens, but the cherries do not fall off.
The Lyubskaya variety is recommended by the State Register for cultivation in the following regions:
- North-West;
- Central;
- Central Black Earth;
- North Caucasus;
- Srednevolzhsky;
- Nizhnevolzhsky.
Brief characteristics of the variety
Despite its mediocre taste and instability to fungal diseases, Lyubskaya cherries are grown in private and industrial gardens wherever they can overwinter. This is mainly due to the high self-fertility of the variety.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The drought resistance of the Lyubskaya cherry variety is average. This means that the bush must be watered in the absence of precipitation. Frost resistance is increased, but not sufficient; it is difficult to grow the crop in the North.
Feedback from gardeners about the Lyubskaya cherry suggests that its life and fruiting life in the middle zone is about 15 years, while for the center or south this figure increases to 20-25 years. This is due to the fact that in cool climates and low winter temperatures, the trunk or branches may freeze. The older the tree, the more difficult it is for it to move away in the spring.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The Lyubskaya cherry blossoms in the last days of May, for 5-8 days. The fruits ripen simultaneously, depending on the region - from late July to mid-August. The variety is highly self-fertile; even without the presence of pollinators, it produces more than 50% of the possible yield.
In the literature you can find the remark that Lyubskaya is a potentially highly productive cherry.What does it mean? If she is given good care, plus other varieties are placed nearby, the harvest can be very large. The best pollinators for Lyubskaya cherries are Vladimirskaya, Zhukovskaya, Anadolskaya, Shpanka Rannyaya, Lotovaya, Fertile Michurina.
Productivity, fruiting
The Lyubskaya cherry variety begins to bear fruit 2 years after planting. It quickly increases productivity and produces good yields. This cherry is prone to random mutations, its fertility depends on care and place of growth. Lyubskaya can produce from 10-12 to 25 kg of berries, the maximum yield from an adult tree was 53 kg.
This is a technical grade. Reviews from summer residents about Lyubskaya cherries always mention sour berries. It should be noted that the vitamin C content per 100 g of pulp varies depending on the region. For the Middle Zone this figure is about 20 mg, in the Krasnodar Territory - 11.7 mg. As you can see, in the south Lyubskaya is much sweeter.
The berries ripen smoothly, do not fall off, are dry, and have good transportability.
Area of application of berries
Lyubskaya is a technical variety; this cherry is good for making jams, juices, and wine. It can be dried or frozen. Not everyone will be pleased with the fresh taste of the berry - it is too sour.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Lyubskaya cherry has low resistance to fungal diseases, including coccomycosis. It is impossible to do without treatments when growing it. Among the pests, it is worth highlighting aphids and cherry sawfly.
Advantages and disadvantages
Lyubskaya is one of the best technical varieties of cherries for the Middle Zone.The advantages include:
- High self-fertility.
- Late flowering - the ovaries are not threatened by return frosts.
- With good care, the yield of Lyubskaya cherries is very high.
- With low agricultural technology, the variety still produces a decent amount of fruit.
- Thanks to its sparse branches and compact size, it is easy to harvest.
- The seed is easily separated from the berry, which simplifies preparation for processing.
- The berries do not fall off, but come off cleanly from the stem.
- The keeping quality and transportability of the fruit are good.
- Lyubskaya cherry berries are above average in size and large.
Among the disadvantages of the variety, we note:
- Low resistance to fungal diseases.
- Insufficient frost resistance for growing in cold regions without shelter.
- Sour fruits.
- Stamb Lyubskaya may suffer from sunburn.
Landing Features
The Lyubskaya cherry variety produces high yields with good care. If a tree is planted and left unattended, there will be few berries.
Recommended timing and selection of a suitable location
Favorable days for planting Lyubskaya cherries come early in the spring. It is necessary to “settle” the tree on the site before the buds open, otherwise it may not take root. If planting material is purchased in the fall, you need to dig up the cherries, prepare a planting hole, and plant them in the spring as early as possible.
Choose a sunny place, on the western part of a gentle slope. Water should approach the ground surface no closer than 2 meters. The soil needs to be neutral, manured, ideally light loam.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries?
Of course, pollinating varieties should be planted next to any cherry tree. Even Lyubskaya will yield twice as much harvest if you choose your neighbors correctly. Just don’t forget that the cherries should be well lit.And the Lyubskaya variety has a very modest size; it cannot be shaded by tall trees with a dense crown. Any stone fruit crops can be planted in close proximity. It is not recommended to grow together with the following trees:
- oak;
- maple;
- Linden;
- birch.
The roots of currants, raspberries, gooseberries, and sea buckthorn tend to grow in breadth; when planted close, they will certainly compete with cherries for water and nutrients.
To protect the tree trunk from the heat and retain moisture, you can plant under the tree:
- hoof;
- periwinkle;
- tenacious;
- mint;
- budru;
- lemon balm
You just need to choose a plant that feels good in your region.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Cherries should be purchased from a nursery or a trusted garden center. The central shoot of a one-year-old seedling should be approximately 80 cm in height, a two-year-old one should not exceed 1.1 m. Make sure that the bark is mature; in the Lyubskaya variety it is grayish-brown in color, and the root is well developed.
Preparing cherries for planting involves soaking the root in water for 3 hours or more.
Landing algorithm
To properly plant a bush, follow the instructions:
- Dig a hole 40-60 cm deep, 60-80 cm in diameter.
- Prepare fertile soil by adding a bucket of humus and 50 g of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers to the top layer of soil. Add lime to acidic soil, add sand to excessively dense clayey soil.
- Drive a peg for the garter a little away from the center.
- Place the cherry tree in the middle of the planting hole. Fill in the root, constantly compacting the soil.The neck should remain above the surface (5-7 cm).
- Ring the hole with a roller of soil. Pour 2-3 buckets of water into the resulting circle.
- Mulch the soil.
Subsequent care of the crop
The cherry seedling needs to be constantly watered for the first year after planting, and when the soil dries out a little, loosen it. This will increase air flow to the root system and retain moisture. Mature trees are watered less frequently. Watering increases when the Lyubskaya cherry blossoms, and stops 3 weeks before harvest. In dry autumn, it is necessary to carry out moisture recharging.
The Lyubskaya harvest is highly dependent on fertilizers. It is best to mulch the soil with a thick layer of mullein, and use wood ash as an additive. This way you will provide the cherries with the necessary amount of potassium and nitrogen. Phosphorus, which is needed less, is also found in organic matter.
Sanitary and formative pruning of the Lyubskaya variety is carried out from the moment of planting. Dry, broken shoots that thicken the crown are removed, the rest are thinned out and shortened. This stimulates the growth of young branches, on which the main fruiting occurs.
In winter, the tree trunk circle is mulched with humus; in the northern regions, the bush is tied with burlap, spruce branches or other covering material. This will also protect the bark from hares and other rodents.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The Lyubskaya cherry is attacked by pests and suffers greatly from fungal diseases. If no treatment is carried out, the bush will produce a low yield and may even die. The table shows the problems that most often affect the Lyubskaya variety and methods for solving them.
Problem | Signs | Fighting methods | Prevention |
Diseases | |||
Coccomycosis | First, dark spots appear on the leaves, then the affected tissue falls out, forming holes.A gray coating appears on the reverse side. In summer, infected leaves fall off | The green cone is sprayed with copper-containing preparations, and after leaf fall - with iron sulfate. | Remove leaves, do not thicken plantings, carry out preventive treatments |
Moliniosis | The bush looks like it's burnt. First, flowers and young shoots wither. Then whole branches dry out, the fruits rot and fall off | Trim the affected branches to living tissue, cover the wound surface with garden varnish. Treat cherries twice with a copper-containing preparation. | Removing fallen leaves, thinning the crown, whitening the trunk and skeletal branches. Preventive treatment of cherries in spring and autumn with preparations containing metal oxides |
Pests | |||
Aphid | Colonies of black or green insects appear on young leaves and shoots, sucking out cell sap. Affected areas curl and become sticky | Treat cherries with aphids, there are many of them. Products containing bifenthrin help well | Fight anthills, do not thicken plantings, lighten the crown |
Cherry sawfly | Leech-like larvae covered in mucus gnaw holes in leaves in summer | Treat the bush with an insecticide, for example, Aktelik | Carry out preventive treatments, ensure that the crown is ventilated |
Lyubskaya cherry has been the queen of technical varieties for more than a hundred years. With proper care, even one bush will give a rich harvest. The best jam can be made from this variety.
Reviews
