Content
Gardeners are watching with great interest the emergence of new varieties of fruit and berry crops. Among the new winter-hardy varieties, the “Radonezhskaya” cherry, which will be discussed in this article, stands out.
History of selection
The Radonezh cherry variety was bred at the Federal State Budgetary Institution All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine, created in 1987 on the basis of the Bryansk Experimental Station.
To obtain a winter-hardy variety, “I-I-L” and “Kistevaya” cherries were crossed. The authors of “Radonezhskaya” are A. L. Astakhov, M. V. Kanshina, L. I. Zueva. In 2002, the cherry variety was included in the State Register with recommendations for cultivation in the Central and Southern regions.
Description of culture
Knowing the parameters of a tree will make it possible to correctly calculate the required number of seedlings for planting, taking into account the available area.
The height of an adult Radonezh cherry reaches 3 m - 3.5 m, so the tree is classified as medium-sized. The trunk of the cherry variety is short, the shoots are powerful.The crown of "Radonezhskaya" is of medium density, regular oval in shape and slightly raised.
The leaves of the cherry are wide, with jagged edges, and slightly folded. They are shaped like a boat and are located on a short petiole.
The buds are quite small. The vegetative bud of the Radonezh cherry is cone-shaped, and the generative bud is ovoid.
The flowers of the variety are grouped into inflorescences of 5-7 medium-sized white flowers. The shape of each flower resembles a saucer, the petals are arranged freely. The stamens and pistil are long.
Cherry berries are round and dark red in color. The fruits of the Radonezh cherry are of high quality. Each cherry is elastic, with a long stalk, the stone is easily separated.
The pulp is tender, juicy, sweet and sour taste. The berries have a high concentration of vitamin C (10 mg/100 g), sugar (10%) and dry matter (15%). The delicate taste of cherries made it possible to classify the Radonezhskaya variety as a dessert variety. The weight of one berry is 4-5 g.
Characteristics
To make your acquaintance with the unique Radonezh cherry variety complete, let’s consider the main indicators. The type of cultivation of the variety is industrial and garden. The tree bears fruit equally well in private and large farms.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The main characteristic of the Radonezh cherry variety is high frost resistance. Thanks to this quality, the tree can withstand spring frosts without major losses, even at the time of flowering. It also resists frost well, so it is grown not only in the southern regions.
The drought resistance of the Radonezh variety is average, although it can withstand the absence of watering for a long time.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The tree is a partially self-fertile variety. If the “Radonezhskaya” cherry is not provided with the proximity of appropriate pollinators, then the yield indicator will be much lower than stated. On its own, the variety is capable of pollinating no more than 40% of the flowers. The best pollinators for cherries, the flowering period of which coincides with the flowering period of Radonezhskaya, are the following varieties:
- "Lyubskaya";
- "Vladimirskaya";
- "Turgenevka".
The Radonezh variety bears fruit on annual growth. Therefore, during the flowering period, inflorescences appear on annual shoots. The cherry blossom time is May, and the first berries ripen at the end of June.
Productivity, fruiting
Productivity is an important indicator on which the demand for a variety depends. “Radonezh” allows you to collect from 50 c/ha to 70 c/ha of cherry berries, depending on the age of the tree and the organization of care. The Radonezhskaya variety demonstrates its minimum yield already in the 4th year after planting.
Area of application of berries
The use of Radonezh cherry fruits can be described in one word - universal. The berries are great for fresh consumption and for preparations. Cherries have excellent taste characteristics, so the range of uses for the harvested crop is very wide. The berries of this variety are used to prepare compotes, jams, juices, and preserves. Fruits lend themselves well to freezing and drying. All preparations can be made with Radonezh berries, both seedless and with seeds.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Cherry variety "Radonezh" has good immunity to fungal diseases, coccomycosis and moniliosis. It is characterized by good, stable fruiting with timely implementation of preventive treatments.
Spraying cherries with copper-containing compounds will help strengthen the variety's resistance to diseases. It must be done annually.
If you decide to use chemicals during the season, then a video about spring treatments of cherries will be useful for gardeners:
Advantages and disadvantages
The Radonezh cherry variety has disadvantages and advantages, which gardeners note in their reviews and observations.
Advantages | Flaws |
Frost resistance. This characteristic distinguishes the variety from other representatives of the culture. Withstands frost down to -25°C. | The variety can suffer up to 30% of the crop during sudden spring frosts with temperatures dropping above -5°C. |
The versatility of berries. In any form, “Radonezh” is highly appreciated by “cherry gourmets”. | “Radonezhskaya” demands regular fertilizing. |
Resistance to diseases and pest damage. | The need to correctly form the crown for the proper development of the tree. |
Equal efficiency of propagation of the variety using seeds and vegetative methods. | The presence of pollinators is mandatory to obtain a full harvest. |
High commercial quality of the variety and excellent taste of berries. | Dependence of yield on fulfillment of care requirements. |
Good yield indicator. | Requirement for adequate lighting. |
Landing Features
The further development and fruiting of the Radonezh cherry depends on how correctly the seedling is planted.
Recommended timing
The Radonezh variety is recommended to be planted in spring. This is due to the fact that in the fall the risk of cherry seedlings dying from winter frosts increases. The tree may not have time to adapt and take root before the onset of cold weather.
Autumn planting is permissible only in warm southern regions. Time is strictly limited - all planting work must be completed no later than mid-to-late October. In spring, be sure to wait until the soil warms up to at least +10°C so that the tender roots of the cherry seedling are not damaged. Typically, planting is scheduled for April.
Choosing a suitable location
This issue is receiving enough attention. First of all, you need to consider the life expectancy of the cherry. It is equal, on average, to 15 years. Therefore, pay attention to all factors:
- distance to buildings and fences;
- number of trees in the garden;
- the size of the plot so that the cherry has enough space and nutrients;
- soil composition and structure;
- illumination of the area;
- what crops grow nearby.
For Radonezh cherries, select a well-lit place with groundwater no closer than 2.5 m to the surface. It should be taken into account that a distance of at least 3 m must be left between trees.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries?
Proper combination of plantings allows you to avoid problems with plant development. The interaction of cultures occurs throughout the growing season, so it is important to choose friendly neighbors for the Radonezh cherry. Cherry shows good compatibility with grapes, cherries, hawthorn and Nevezhin rowan.
If you decide to plant the Radonezh variety in the same area with apple or pear trees, then it is important to maintain a distance between the trees of at least 5-6 meters. The same requirement remains in force when planting plums, sloe, cherry plum or apricot next to cherries.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For cherry seedlings of the Radonezh variety, the condition of the root system is very important. Therefore, the roots must be healthy, without signs of damage or rotting. In order for cherry fruiting to begin earlier, you should purchase 1-2 year old seedlings. If the planting material is older (3-4 years), then fruiting will shift to a later date.
Cherry seedlings purchased in the fall are dug into the furrows with their crowns facing south, watered, covered with spruce branches and left until spring.
Landing algorithm
The process of planting Radonezh cherries consists of the following stages:
- Soil preparation. Fertilizers for spring planting are applied in the fall. Organic and mineral compounds are used.
- Preparing the planting hole. The optimal size is 80 x 80 x 50 cm. After digging, a peg is driven into the hole.
- Place a seedling of the variety on the north side of the peg.
- Sprinkle the roots with earth, compact them a little, make a circle around the trunk and water the seedling with 2 buckets of water, after which the plantings are mulched.
The author of the video will share his secrets of planting cherries:
Subsequent care of the crop
If the tree's circumference is mulched, then it only needs watering once a week in a volume of 10-12 liters. And for mature cherries, 6 to 8 buckets of water are required 3-4 times during the season. The amount depends on the composition of the soil and weather conditions. Overmoistening is extremely undesirable for the Radonezh variety.
In the first 2-3 years after planting, the Radonezhskaya cherry variety develops well without additional nutrition. But when the fruiting period begins, it is not recommended to skip feeding. In the spring, cherries need nitrogen-containing preparations, in the fall - fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium. Once every 2 years, organic fertilizers are applied simultaneously with shallow digging of the top layer of soil.
Pruning of the crop is carried out in the spring, before sap flow begins. The Radonezh variety has a high growth rate of young branches. If pruning is not carried out or done incorrectly, shading will lead to loss of taste and crushing of the berries. The first formation must be carried out after planting the seedlings. The main rule of timely pruning is to remove the growth in time.
Preparing trees for winter involves pre-winter watering, fertilizing and pruning. In areas with harsh winters, it is still advisable to cover the Radonezh cherry, without relying on the winter hardiness of the variety. It is important to carry out the preparation process (pruning) when the tree is at rest, that is, after the leaves have fallen. It is good to use manure or humus for feeding. Then it remains to carefully cover the trunk circle to protect the root system.
Diseases and pests
Problem | Prevention | Treatment |
Bark beetle |
| Introducing Bi-58 with a syringe into the holes made by the pest. |
Moniliosis | Timely treatment with contact fungicides (before buds open). | Burning the affected parts of the tree, repeated treatment with fungicides |
Coccomycosis | Preventive spraying with Bordeaux mixture. | Treatment with Bordeaux mixture or systemic fungicide, burning damaged leaves. |
Clusterosporiasis | Preventive spraying with Horus, Bordeaux mixture | Spraying with Horus, Bordeaux mixture |
Conclusion
The Radonezh cherry variety is considered unpretentious, so gardeners do not have problems with cultivation. It is important not to neglect the recommendations on agricultural technology, and cherries will delight you with high yields.
