Content
Cherry trees are a horticultural symbol of Russia, but over the past half century, due to an unprecedented invasion of fungal infections, more than 2/3 of orchards across the country have been destroyed, and the old famous varieties cannot cope with the onslaught of diseases and pests. They are being replaced by new varieties, and one of the outstanding creations of breeders was the Volochaevka cherry variety.
History of selection
Volochaevka cherry was obtained by a group of breeders under the leadership of Evstratov A.I., working at the Federal State Budgetary Institution VSTISP (All-Russian Breeding and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Growing).
The institute is located in Moscow and Evstratov A.I. famous for the fact that from his hands came numerous varieties of cherries that are resistant to one of the terrible scourges of cherry trees - coccomycosis, and are also quite winter-hardy in the climate of the Moscow region and the entire Central region.
The variety was obtained back in the 80s of the last century, but due to the difficult economic and political situation in our country, it received registration in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia only in 1997. The variety is officially approved for cultivation in the Central region, but this only means that it is in this region that all the fruit and yield properties of the Volochaevka cherry will be optimally revealed. In reality, the Volochaevka variety is grown with pleasure by gardeners throughout Russia, south of the Moscow region.
Description of culture
Cherry trees of the Volochaevka variety can be classified as medium-sized, since they reach a height of 3 – 3.5 meters.
The crown of the trees has a beautiful rounded shape, the density of dark green rather large ovoid leaves with a crenate edge is slightly above average.
The shoots are straight and have a brown tint. A tree of this variety bears fruit on last year's shoots and on bouquet branches. Young shoots of the current year bear only vegetative buds.
Judging by many reviews from gardeners, Volochaevka cherry fruits are quite large in size, although in the description of the originator variety, the average weight of one fruit is about 3-4 grams.
Apparently, the size of the fruit, as well as their taste, is largely determined by the climatic conditions of the growing area and the composition of the soil.
Because half of the gardeners speak of Volochaevka cherry berries as very tasty, sweet, and even dessert, while others consider them to be the most ordinary.
The color of the fruits, as well as their juice, is characterized by a rich red color. This means that Volochaevka cherries can rightfully be classified as morels or griots.
The pulp of the fruit is quite dense and at the same time very juicy. A small stone is easily separated from the rest of the fruit. Tasters rate the taste of Volochaevka cherries at 4.7 on a five-point scale.
The fruits contain 15.6% dry matter, 10% sugar, 1.4% acid and 22 mg/% vitamin C.
Characteristics
The characteristics of the Volochaevka cherry variety have many positive aspects for amateur gardeners and especially beginners in gardening.
Winter hardiness, drought resistance
Volochaevka cherry is distinguished by quite decent winter hardiness, at the level of one of its parents - Vladimir cherry. Trees tolerate frosts down to -30°C relatively calmly, but the buds can be damaged by returning spring frosts.
The drought resistance of this variety is average, however, when grown in the conditions of central Russia, more is not required. And for the southern hot and dry regions there are varieties that are more suitable for this characteristic.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
One of the unique features of the Volochaevka cherry variety is its self-fertility. That is, in order for the cherry to form fruits after flowering, it does not need other varieties of cherries or sweet cherries growing nearby. In addition, bees or bumblebees or other insects are essential for cross-pollination.But in recent years, due to the increasingly complex environmental situation, bees and other insects are not always present in household plots. And the self-fertile Volochaevka cherry variety can provide you with delicious fruits in any year and in any weather conditions, regardless of the presence of pollinating insects and other cherry trees nearby.
Therefore, this variety is simply a godsend for owners of small plots or those who, due to small free space, can afford to plant only one variety of cherries.
The Volochaevka cherry blossoms in May; depending on the growing region, the flowering period may be shifted to the first or second half of the month.
But according to the timing of berry ripening, most gardeners classify it as a mid-ripening variety, while some even call it mid-late.
The fact is that the fruits of this variety usually ripen in the second half of July. In the southern regions, berries may ripen earlier - in early July.
Productivity, fruiting
Volochaevka cherry can be called a rather early-fruiting variety. After all, trees grow to quite decent sizes, and they begin to bear fruit already in the 4-5th year of life, when the height of the tree reaches about three meters.
Moreover, the yield of a five-year-old tree can be up to 10 kg of cherries under favorable conditions. In this regard, the Volochaevka cherry was significantly ahead of its parents.
The maximum yield of adult Volochaevka cherry trees in orchards can be up to 12-15 kg per tree.
The average lifespan of a tree is about 15 years, and in the southern regions, cherries can bear fruit for more than 20 years.
Area of application of berries
The berries of the Volochaevka variety are universal in use. Since they have a dessert, pronounced cherry flavor, they are enjoyed fresh. But their various drinks and preparations for the winter are also good.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Initially, the Volochaevka cherry variety was bred as resistant to coccomycosis. Indeed, his resistance to this disease is above average. Although in especially rainy years trees may still be affected by this disease, they recover after appropriate treatments.
The Volochaevka variety has average resistance to other diseases and pests, and preventive spring treatments can help protect trees from trouble.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages of the variety | Disadvantages of Volochaevka cherries |
| Self-fertility | Average resistance to many diseases |
| Large and tasty berries | |
| Good yield | |
Landing Features
Volochaevka cherry is an unpretentious variety, but planting must be done according to all the rules in order to get the maximum from the tree that it is capable of.
Recommended timing
In most regions of the middle zone, for which the cultivation of cherries of this variety is recommended, it is better to select a seedling for a permanent place in the spring, around April, even before the buds open. Only residents of the southern regions can afford to plant cherries in the fall. If the seedling was only obtained in the autumn, then gardeners in the middle zone are better off burying the cherry tree in a secluded place in the garden, covering it with earth on all sides.
Choosing a suitable location
The ideal place for planting cherries would be a south-eastern or southern slope, maximally illuminated by the sun. Volochaevka can grow in partial shade, but this will certainly not have the best effect on the taste of the berries.
Groundwater must be at a considerable depth, at least 1.5 meters. As a last resort, the cherry tree can be planted on a small artificial mound. Soils should be well drained and fertile. Usually, having dug a hole for planting a tree in advance, they mix the soil with sand, wood ash, humus and a complex of fertilizers, and then only cover the roots of the seedling with this mixture.
Which cultures are friends or enemies with cherries?
For cherries, the proximity to representatives of the stone fruit family: cherries, plums, cherry plums, and sloe will be very favorable. But it is better to plant peach and apricot further away.
Among the shrubs, honeysuckle will be a good neighbor, but it is better to plant raspberries, currants and gooseberries at a considerable distance from cherries, since they have many common enemies. For the same reason, proximity to vegetables from the nightshade family: peppers, tomatoes, eggplants will be unfavorable.
Large trees with a huge root system can shade the cherry and take away nutrients from it, so cherries are planted at a great distance from birch, spruce, oak, linden, and poplar. It is also better to plant apple and pear trees at a distance of at least 10 meters from the cherry tree.
But rowan, hawthorn, elderberry and grapes will be good neighbors for cherries.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Choose seedlings only in garden centers, where they will provide you with detailed information about the variety, type of rootstock, and age.
The root system should be well developed with a sufficient number of thin suction roots.There should be no damage to the bark on the shoots.
6-8 hours before planting, place the cherry roots in a solution with roots.
Landing algorithm
It is advisable to dig a hole for planting in advance, in the fall. On heavy clay soils, it is necessary to arrange a drainage layer of gravel or sand at the bottom of the planting hole with a height of at least 8-10 cm. First, a column is strengthened in the center of the hole, then the straightened roots of the cherry seedling are placed around it. They begin to gradually fall asleep with the prepared soil mixture. The root collar and grafting site of grafted seedlings should not be deepened into the ground, so it is better to leave them slightly at the top. After filling the hole, pour 1-2 buckets of water over the planting site and compact the soil between the roots.
It is better to immediately mulch the planting site with organic matter and maintain this layer by adding mulch 1-2 times per season.
Subsequent care of the crop
In the middle zone, additional watering of Volochaevka cherries is required only during the first year after planting or if the weather is particularly dry and hot.
Feeding should be started only from the beginning of the fruiting period. Usually they are carried out twice a season - during the flowering period or immediately after and during the period of fruit formation. You can fertilize with humus or a complex of mineral fertilizers with microelements in the form of chelates.
Cherry pruning consists of sanitary pruning, aimed at removing dry and damaged branches, and shaping. It is most convenient to form the crown of a tree in the form of a ball, cutting out all the branches that thicken the crown.
In late autumn, tree trunks are coated with garden paint to protect against sunburn and rodents.
In the conditions of the middle zone, no additional winter protection is provided for the Volochaevka cherry.
Pests and diseases
| Type of problem | Way to fight |
| Fungal diseases | It is safer to use biological products. A mixture of trichodermin and baxis (1:1) is effective. Treat all summer after the temperature reaches about +12°+15°C In the fall, after harvesting, spray the trees with 1% Bordeaux mixture |
| Pests | In the fall, after the first frost, they are sprayed with a 5% urea solution, and starting in early spring, every 25 days they are treated with biological products Fitoverm, Akarin |
Conclusion
Try to plant Volochaevka cherries in your garden and with minimal care, every year you will collect a voluminous harvest of sweet and large berries, from which you can prepare many delicious preparations for the winter.
Reviews
Reviews from gardeners about Volochaevka cherries agree on one thing - everyone is satisfied with the yield and taste of the berries of this variety. There are some complaints about the stability and size of the berries, but a lot depends on the growing conditions of the cherry.
