Reliable and suitable for growing in harsh climates, the Leningradskaya black cherry variety
Leningradskaya black is a real success of Russian breeders. They managed to develop a cherry variety that not only retained the taste characteristics of the crop, but was also suitable for cultivation in the North-Western regions. We will tell you about the characteristics of the variety, the rules for planting seedlings and caring for them.
Features of the Leningradskaya black cherry variety
This variety is a table variety with a medium-late ripening period., precocious - fruiting begins 3-4 years after planting.
Due to uneven ripening, the berries are harvested 2-3 times per season., from late June to early September. The yield is average, but stable: in the first years of crown growth, 20-25 kg of fruits are removed from the tree, after the age of full fruiting - 30-40 kg.
Reference. Not fully ripened berries are stored at a temperature of +6...+7°C for 2-3 weeks.
History of origin and distribution
The variety was bred by a breeder from the Pavlovsk Experimental Station of the All-Russian Institute of Plant Growing F. K. Teterev. Recommended for cultivation in the central part of Russia and the southern regions of the North-Western region.
Characteristics and description of trees
Leningradskaya black is a medium-sized tree (height at adulthood - 3-4 m) with a wide, spreading, medium-thick crown. The bark covering the trunk and shoots is smooth, without cracks, and dark brown in color.
The leaf blades are large, elongated oval in shape, rich emerald. The central veins are thin but well defined, the edges are serrated.
During flowering, which occurs in early or mid-May, medium-sized white flowers appear on the trees, collected in inflorescences of 3-7 pieces.
Temperature resistance
This is one of the most frost-resistant varieties cherries. It can withstand air temperatures down to -30°C and is not afraid of returning spring frosts.
Moisture and drought resistance
The variety is characterized by an average degree of drought resistance. Lack of moisture during the period of flowering and fruit ripening leads to the fall of the ovaries and loss of yield.
Stagnation of water and increased soil moisture are the cause of watery pulp, cracking and rotting of berries on trees before full ripening.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is immune to pests and diseases, but under unfavorable conditions and insufficient care, it can be affected by cherry flies, leaf rollers, tube rollers, aphids, sawflies, birds, as well as moniliosis, chlorosis, coccomycosis.
Characteristics and description of berries
Berries are medium-sized, round or wide-heart-shaped, weigh 3-4 g, covered with thin skin, which at the beginning of ripening is colored ruby red, and then becomes dark burgundy, almost black.
The bone is small, weakly separated. The pulp is dark red, tender and juicy, has a sweet taste and a spicy, slightly sour aftertaste.
Reference. If the summer is sunny and dry, the berries ripen sickly sweet; Rainy weather causes them to become watery with a bland taste.
Application area
The fruits of Leningradskaya black are characterized by the possibility of universal use. They are consumed fresh, frozen, and used for making desserts, assorted fruits, jams or compotes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Advantages of the variety:
- average tree growth, making harvesting easier;
- precociousness;
- excellent berry taste;
- possibility of universal use;
- lack of tendency to shedding;
- extended ripening period;
- immunity to diseases and pests;
- frost resistance;
- stable fruiting.
Disadvantages of Leningrad black:
- the need for pollinator varieties due to self-sterility;
- average yield;
- deterioration in the quality and taste of fruits in case of heavy rainfall;
- reduction or loss of yield during prolonged drought.
Growing technology
Basic conditions for successful cultivation of cherries – the correct choice of planting site and seedlings and proper care for them.
Optimal conditions
The variety prefers light, fertile soil with good aeration and moisture permeability.. The best option is loam and sandy loam.
Planting material is purchased in the spring, before the buds open., or in the fall, when the leaves on the seedlings fall and sap flow ends. Preference is given to annual (0.8-1 m high) without branches or biennial (no more than 1.5 m high) with 2-3 branches and one conductor specimens without damage or signs of disease.
If the root system is dried out, before planting, it is soaked for 2-10 hours in water with the addition of 2-3 drops of a growth stimulator (“Kornerost”).
Landing dates and rules
For planting Leningradskaya black, choose well-lit, a place protected from cold gusty winds, located in the south.It should be level or have a slight slope to the south or southwest. The permissible level of groundwater is 2 m and below.
Cherries are planted on the site in the spring, before the buds swellso that during the 8 months of the growing season the tree takes root and becomes stronger.
Reference. In southern regions with mild winters autumn is acceptable (no later than mid-October) planting subject to additional protection of seedlings from frost.
Good neighbors for cherries – cherry, rowan, other varieties of cherries, black elderberry, grapes, hawthorn. Leningrad black is not planted next to apple trees, pears, plums, raspberries, apricots, sea buckthorn, black and red currants, gooseberries, and viburnum.
Nightshade crops are not planted under trees (tomatoes, peppers and eggplants), but planting honey-bearing flowers (for example, alfalfa or phacelia) at the base helps attract pollinating insects.
Landing rules:
2-3 weeks before planting, dig planting holes in the area with a diameter of 80-90 cm and a depth of 60-70 cm.- Fill each two-thirds with a fertile mixture (half of the excavated soil, two buckets of humus or compost, 1 kg of wood ash, 200 g of superphosphate, 40 g of potassium salt).
- Immediately before planting, water the hole and dig a 1-1.5 m long wooden stake into the center for tying up the tree in the future.
- Place the seedling in a hole, straighten its roots, sprinkle with soil so that the root collar is located 5-8 cm above the soil surface.
- Water and mulch the soil.
Trees are planted at a distance 3-4 m from each other.
Further care
Cherries are watered three times per season. (before flowering, in mid-July and at the end of autumn) provided there is sufficient rainfall and 4-5 times a month in case of drought.Two buckets of warm, settled water are poured under each tree.
After watering or rain, the soil is loosenedto prevent moisture stagnation and help the roots better absorb nutrients and water. The soil in the tree trunk circle is regularly weeded.
Fertilizer application scheme:
- spring, when the leaves are blooming - mullein infusion or mineral complex (20 g of urea, potassium salt and superphosphate per 10 liters of water);
- after harvesting - potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
Trees are pruned annually in the spring, before the buds swell, or in late autumn., removing dry, frozen shoots that thicken the crown. The crown is given a sparsely tiered shape within 5-6 years.
Possible problems, diseases, pests
Diseases and pests that can affect Leningrad black are described in the table:
| Disease, pest | Signs | Treatment |
| cherry fly | Black dots appear on the berries, then depressions that gradually rot; the outer part of the peel loses its shine, and the pulp becomes limp. | The trees are sprayed twice with an interval of 10 days with insecticidal preparations (Arrivo, Fury, Confidor, Decis, Fufanon, Iskra, Actellik). Also, to repel insects, plantings are treated with tobacco, pine or garlic infusions. |
| leaf roller | A cobweb appears on the cherry leaves, and the caterpillars turn out the leaf blades and eat them. | |
| Cherry pipe maker | Adult insects feed on buds, buds, flowers, ovaries and fruits; The larvae bore into the seed and feed on the kernel. | The soil is dug up, the beetles are mechanically shaken off the branches, the trees are treated with Aktara or organophosphorus pesticides (Metafos, Karbofos, Benzophosphate). |
| Cherry aphid | The larvae feed on the juices of the leaves, which is why the growth of the central vein stops, the leaves curl, turn black and dry out. | In the spring, trees are treated with insecto-acaricides (Aktelik, Karbofos, Inta-Vir), sprayed with an infusion of dandelion leaves, onion feathers, and elderberry inflorescences. If the buds have already bloomed, use the drugs “Confidor” and “Actofit”. |
| Sawflies | Pests gnaw out the upper layers of leaf blades, as a result of which the latter become covered with translucent spots. | |
| Moniliosis | Leaves, flowers and berries dry out prematurely. | Infected branches are removed and burned, the tree is treated three times with an interval of seven days with antifungal drugs “Horus”, “Abiga-pik”, “HOM” or “Strobi”. |
| Chlorosis | Yellowing and falling leaves. | |
| Coccomycosis | First, pink-brown spots appear on the leaves, then the underside of the leaf blades becomes covered with a pale pink coating. |
To protect against birds when the berries ripen, they hang them on trees. rustling ribbons, shiny foil, or cover the crowns with special nets.
Wintering
Due to the high degree of frost resistance winter shelter in the form of agrofibre and spruce branches is needed only for young trees up to 4 years old. To protect against rodents, a special mesh or roofing material is attached to the trunks.
Mature trees are watered abundantly in late autumn, and the ground in the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat, straw or humus.
Reproduction
Breeders grow cherries from seeds, since with this method of propagation the tree loses its varietal characteristics. The optimal way to propagate the crop is cuttings.
Cuttings are harvested from early to mid June, cutting developed and growing shoots into pieces maximum 30 cm long so that there are 3-5 leaves on the stem, and 2-3 in the lower part. The cut is made with a sharp stationery knife at an angle of 45° at the bottom and 90° at the top.
Cuttings of 1-3 cm are dipped in a growth stimulator solution (“Kornevin”, “Epin”), planted in a moist and loose substrate with low acidity for rooting and removed to a warm place (+25...+30°C), regularly sprayed with water from a spray bottle.
Rooting takes up to 50 days.
Features of growing varieties depending on the region
This frost-resistant variety grows well and bears fruit even in the northern regions. There are practically no differences in caring for cherries due to the climatic conditions of the region.
Only the need for shelter is taken into account in regions with harsh winters and the frequency of watering when grown in areas with hot, dry summers.
Pollinator varieties
Leningradskaya black - self-sterile variety. To form a harvest, several other varieties of cherries are planted nearby, matching the level of frost resistance and flowering time.
The best pollinating varieties:
- And the way;
- Tyutchevka;
- Fatezh;
- Ovstuzhenka;
- Veda;
- Bryansk pink;
- Bryanochka;
- Michurinka;
- Leningradskaya with yellow and pink fruits;
- Chermashnaya;
- Zorka;
- Revna;
- Seda;
- Teremoshka;
- Red dense.
Flowers are also pollinated by bees, to attract which honey-bearing flowers are planted under trees. or install hives in the garden.
Reviews from gardeners
Summer residents speak positively about the variety:
Elena, St. Petersburg: “I have long wanted to plant cherries, but did not know which variety to choose for our climate. They recommended Leningradskaya black as a frost-resistant and productive variety.I bought several seedlings and took Fatezh as pollinators; last year I already harvested them. The tree is not tall, only 2 m so far. The berries are small, but very sweet.”.
Vitaly, Moscow region: “I grow several varieties of cherries, including Leningradskaya black. I love this variety for its frost resistance and beautiful, dark burgundy berries. They are juicy, sweet, with a subtle sourness.”.
Conclusion
Leningradskaya black cherry is an excellent choice for gardeners from the northern regions. The variety is characterized by a high degree of frost resistance, unpretentiousness, strong immunity and juicy berries with a sweet and sour taste.