Content
The quality and volume of the harvest depends on the correct choice of plants for planting on the site. “Molodezhnaya” is one of the most popular varieties among cherry lovers. A description of the characteristics of the plant and the features of caring for it will help you avoid making common mistakes and get the maximum possible harvest.
History of selection
“Molodezhnaya” is a relatively young cherry variety: it was included in the State Register only in 1993. Its breeding was carried out by scientists from the All-Russian Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Growing, Khasan Enikeev and Saniya Satarova. “Molodezhnaya” cherry was obtained by crossing the Lyubskaya and Vladimirskaya varieties. The variety is recommended for the Central region of Russia and the Urals.
Description of culture
The height of an adult Molodezhnaya cherry tree is on average about 2 meters, which, combined with branches lowered low above the ground, simplifies harvesting. The branches may be intertwined, but, as a rule, they do not break under the weight of the fruit.
The leaves of the common cherry “Molodezhnaya” have a bright green color, collected in a rounded crown of medium density. The lower part of the leaf is lighter. The bark of the Molodezhnaya cherry is brownish-brown in color and darkens over time.
The inflorescence includes from 3 to 7 white flowers, each about 3 cm in diameter. Due to the same height of pistils and stamens, this cherry variety is self-pollinating. The “Molodezhnaya” cherry blossoms from May 10 to May 20.
The fruits of the “Molodezhnaya” cherry can reach 1 cm in size, the average weight of the berry is 4-5 grams. The berries are oval in shape and dark burgundy in color, with dense sweet and sour pulp. The tasting rating of the fruits of this variety is 4.5 points out of 5.
The medium-sized bone is easy to separate from the pulp. Subject to the conditions of collection, transportation and storage, Molodezhnaya cherries can remain intact for up to 15–20 days.
Characteristics
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The variety is generally characterized by high drought resistance. But immediately after planting and during the fruiting period, it is important to monitor soil moisture.
“Molodezhnaya” is classified as a frost-resistant variety. Flower ovaries tolerate night frosts well.
Pollination, flowering and ripening period
The characteristics of crop pollination are of great importance when planning plantings. Up to 40% of Molodezhnaya pollination occurs with its own pollen due to pistils and stamens of equal height. You can also plant other cherry or cherry trees, which will additionally pollinate “Youth”.
Additional pollinators for the Molodezhnaya cherry:
- University;
- North Star;
- Lyubskaya;
- Turgenevskaya;
- and different varieties of cherries.
“Molodezhnaya” itself pollinates late varieties of cherries well.
The formation of ovaries is noted even on young shoots.Flowering occurs from all buds except the top ones. Below is a photo of the Molodezhnaya cherry tree.
Productivity, fruiting
One Molodezhnaya cherry tree produces from 8 to 15 kg of berries per year. Productivity depends on the age of the plant. The fruits ripen in the third decade of July.
Cherries of the “Molodezhnaya” variety begin to bear fruit 3–4 years after planting, continuing to produce fruit for another 15–20 years with proper care. Regular pruning of shoots has a positive effect on yield. In its absence, only peripheral shoots bear fruit.
Area of application of berries
Subject to proper collection, transportation and storage, Molodezhnaya cherries can be successfully preserved. Storing fruits is possible if you collect the berries using the shearing method: cutting off the berries while preserving the stalk. The integrity of the fetus will not be compromised.
The following rules will help you preserve the fruits of Molodezhnaya cherries for subsequent preservation:
- carefully select fruits and monitor their integrity;
- do not wash the berries;
- transport and store them in ventilated containers;
- pre-treat the container with potassium permanganate and dry thoroughly;
- line the bottom of the container with paper;
- make sure that there are few fruits in the container - no more than 5 cm;
- store the berries at a temperature of +2+4 °C.
Berries of the Molodezhnaya variety are used for making desserts, drinks and juices, and for adding to baked goods. The fruits of this variety are suitable for making jams, preserves or marmalade.
Resistance to diseases and pests
"Molodezhnaya" resistance to diseases and pests is above average.This tree is most susceptible to fungal diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages
Molodezhnaya cherry is one of the most reliable varieties for harvesting. Below is a comparative table of characteristics of Molodezhnaya cherries.
Advantage | Flaw |
Early onset of fruiting | Average resistance to fungal infections |
Good yield (from 8 to 15 kg per tree depending on age) | The influence of planting site selection on plant growth |
Large fruits (up to 10 mm, 4–5 g) | Decrease in yield due to soil depletion |
Dessert taste of berries with a high tasting score | The need for regular pruning of overgrown shoots |
Good transportability |
|
Self-pollination of plants | |
Frost resistance, including flower ovaries | |
Drought resistance subject to careful care during fruiting period |
Landing Features
The best time to plant Molodezhnaya cherries is early spring. Planting in the spring allows the seedling to take root in the best way.
Choosing a landing site
Cherries of the “Molodezhnaya” variety will do best in an unventilated area with good lighting. This could be the southern or southwestern part of the garden near a fence, shed or house wall. Sandy loam with an acidity of 6-6.5 pH is suitable as a soil.
To plant cherries, prepare a hole 40 cm deep and 80 cm in diameter 6 weeks in advance. Organic fertilizer is added to the bottom of the hole or the soil is dug up in the fall, adding a mixture of fresh compost and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Two-year-old plants with a formed crown are optimal for planting in the ground. A healthy “Molodezhnaya” cherry seedling has:
- height 70–110 cm;
- roots at least 15 cm long;
- elastic and intact branches and roots;
- deep-colored fresh leaves;
- intact bark.
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Immediately before planting, it is necessary to remove all leaves from the seedling and trim off damaged branches. To prepare for planting in the ground, the roots of the seedling are treated with garden varnish or soaked in a clay mash.
Landing algorithm
When planting Molodezhnaya cherries, you must follow a simple algorithm of actions:
- dig a hole measuring 40*60 cm in advance (at least 6 weeks in advance) and add organic fertilizer to it;
- before planting, form a mound 10–15 cm high at the bottom of the hole;
- install a 1.3 m high peg in the center of the mound;
- install a seedling next to the peg, spreading its roots over the mound;
- check that the root collar of the plant is 3–5 cm above the level of the site;
- fill the hole with earth, compact it;
- form a tree trunk hole with a side made of soil;
- tie up a seedling;
- water the plant generously;
- mulch the hole after the moisture has been absorbed.
It is important to correctly determine the location of the root collar of the seedling (the place where the roots enter the trunk). A mistake can result in the plant not taking root. The most reliable way: step back from the upper root 3-4 cm up the trunk - this will be the root collar.
Important facts about caring for cherries
Within a year after planting, the plant requires almost no additional care. Timely watering and loosening of the soil is enough. Knowledge about the first signs of disease development in cherries will also be useful in order to quickly respond and save the tree.
Then you need to remember the important features of caring for Molodezhnaya cherries, which will help increase the yield:
- timely pruning will protect against a drop in yield: when the plant becomes overgrown, ovaries are formed only on the outer - peripheral shoots;
- It is recommended to annually trim about 50 cm of the crown at the top of the tree;
- Fertilizing is required twice a year: in the spring with nitrogen fertilizers, in the fall - with potassium and phosphorus;
- Cherry is moisture-loving: it needs to be watered often;
- excess moisture can cause serious harm by causing fungal infections;
- Annual disease prevention is important: the treatment scheme is given below;
- adding compost and manure will make the plant healthier and improve its growth;
- In winter, the root system should be covered or fenced off to protect it from rodents.
How to properly prune young cherries:
Diseases and pests
The table below presents the most common diseases of the Molodezhnaya cherry and how to combat them.
Disease | Signs | Prevention and treatment |
milky shine | the leaves acquire a pearlescent color, areas of necrosis appear between the veins, and the wood becomes brown on cuts | protection from mechanical damage and sunburn; treatment of cortical damage; Immediate destruction of infected branches and plants. |
Moniliosis (gray rot) | Young leaves and shoots turn black and dry out, rot and spores form on the fruits, accelerated spread of the disease with high humidity and cold | timely removal of rotten fruits and fallen leaves; destruction of affected shoots; treatment with a solution of Bordeaux mixture in the green cone phase (3–4%), at the end of flowering (1%), 2–3 weeks after it. In a rainy year, up to 5–6 treatments are allowed. |
Phomopsiasis | The leaves dry out and curl into a spiral; the bark darkens, spots and cracks appear on it containing the causative agent of the disease | cleaning the affected areas of the bark before the buds open; closing wounds. |
Rust | Rust-brown spots on leaves | destruction of fallen leaves; thorough weeding of the intermediate host of the disease - spindle; treatment with Bordeaux mixture at a concentration of 1% |
Coccomycosis | The leaves acquire a yellow-red color, then brown dots form on them, and white-pink bumps appear on the reverse side; There is an increased shedding of leaves, freezing in winter, cracks in the bark, and weakening of the buds. At the last stage - the bony appearance of the fruit | thorough whitewashing of trunks; treatment with Bordeaux mixture before flowering and after harvesting fruits. |
Anthracnose | The fruits become covered with dull dots and, over time, become covered with pale pink bumps. At a later stage, the berries become mummified | treatment with fungicide Poliram before and after flowering, then after another 15 days |
Cherry trees are affected by pests: leaf roller, sawfly, aphid, cherry weevil, shoot moth.
General rules for preventive treatment of cherry trees against diseases and pests:
- in early spring at a temperature of 5 °C, spraying with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (3%) and tar soap (performed in dry, windless weather);
- in the green cone phase, treatment with a solution of Bordeaux mixture (1%);
- in the pink bud phase, a complex solution of Horus, Decis and Zircon with the addition of tar soap is used;
- during the flowering of the Molodezhnaya cherry, treatment is carried out with a solution of boric acid (10 g per 10 l);
- another 2–3 treatments with a complex solution during the summer;
- at the end of leaf fall - 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Conclusion
Gardeners highly appreciate the characteristics of the Molodezhnaya cherry variety, noting the high quality of the fruit, good yield and resistance to aggressive environmental factors. The ability to self-pollinate makes it possible to obtain a harvest even from the only cherry tree in the garden. Careful and thoughtful selection of fruit tree varieties will help you obtain a stable harvest for many years.
