Characteristics and description of “Ovstuzhenka” cherries with large berries and excellent taste
The fact that the Ovstuzhenka cherry variety is not widespread enough can only be explained by its relative youth. The variety was included in the state register in 2001 as a promising crop for the Central region. Ovstuzhenka tolerates both summer heat and frost very well. Suitable for cultivation in the middle zone and southern regions. Gardeners fell in love with it for its decorative appearance, endurance and productivity.
Description
The variety owes its appearance to the employees of the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine, located in Bryansk. Biologists crossed two varieties, combining in the new sample the resistance of the parents to frost and excessive growth of the crown.
The resulting sample is suitable for cultivation in the Urals and in many regions of central Russia - Kaluga, Tula, Moscow, Smolensk, Bryansk, etc.
Characteristics and description of trees
A beautiful compact crown is the calling card of this variety.. Unlike its relatives, who require placement from each other at a distance of at least 5 m, Ovstuzhenka tolerates closer proximity.
The culture grows quickly and, reaching 3 m, forms a spherical crown. The main skeletal branches are straight, brown, glabrous. The castings are large, egg-shaped with a sharp tip and serrations. Their surface is matte, dark green.
Flowering occurs in mid-May for trees older than five years. Despite the possibility of repeated frosts, the flowering is always lush and the harvest is abundant.
The inflorescence consists of three flowers overlapping each other. The sepals are slightly pigmented, the stigma of the pistil rises above the stamens, and the corolla is saucer-shaped. Flower buds form on bouquet branches. The tree is productive - from 20 to 30 kg of ripe berries are harvested from one.
Temperature resistance
The plant tolerates summer heat well, but requires regular, abundant watering.. The variety is highly resistant to low temperatures (tolerates frosts down to -45°C). But in order for the plant to overwinter in such conditions, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory measures.
Moisture and drought resistance
Wood reacts extremely negatively to lack of moisture. Watering is carried out once a week, adding at least 30 liters of water under each tree. Like any other cherry, in severe drought conditions the tree does not form a sufficient number of fruit buds, which directly affects the yield.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Tree is highly resistant to diseases such as moniliosis and coccomycosis. This greatly simplifies the growing process. However, preventive maintenance must be carried out periodically, especially during seasons with unfavorable weather conditions.
The most dangerous pests for cherries are birds.. The most effective way to combat them is with nets.
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Characteristics and description of berries
The berries of the Ovstuzhenka cherry are medium sized and oval in shape.. Their weight varies from 4 to 7 g. The color is black with a dark red tint.They have a delicate sweet taste and have a high rating on the tasting scale - 4.7 out of 5.
The peel is dense, does not crack with large amounts of rainfall and retains its presentation well. The pulp easily separates from the stone and also has a rich red color. The juice is dark, thick, burgundy.
Ripening occurs in early June. When harvesting, the berries are picked off along with the stalk. This method minimally injures the berries and minimizes juice loss. The harvest easily tolerates transportation and storage for up to a week.
The fruits are used fresh for preparing compotes, preserves, juices, jams, marshmallows. The berries tolerate freezing well.
Important. Make sure that there is not a single rotten berry in the boxes, otherwise the whole batch will suffer. If damaged copies are found, remove them immediately.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Like any garden crop, Ovstuzhenka has its advantages and disadvantages.
Positive traits:
- early fruiting;
- high productivity;
- resistance to low temperatures;
- disease resistance;
- decorative appearance;
- neat crown sizes.
Her main negative feature – low self-pollination and poor tolerance of low temperatures by young branches. However, with proper organization of care, negative aspects can be easily minimized.
Growing technology
The optimal age for planting a young tree is two years.. The place has been prepared since autumn. The seedling is purchased directly on the day of planting. Signs of a quality tree are a strong root system, no rotten roots and at least two central shoots. Ideally, the seedling should have a certificate.
The landing technology is as follows:
- Given the compact size of the crown, the planting hole can be made not too deep. For comfortable development, 60 cm in depth and 80 cm in width are sufficient.
- To feed the seedling, a bucket of compost mixed with humus in equal proportions is placed at the bottom in the form of a hill. Also add 200 g of any complex fertilizer.
- The seedling is placed on a hill so that the roots are straightened, and the grafting site is directed to the south and rises 4-5 cm above the soil level.
- The hole is filled up, periodically shaking the plant to remove voids between the roots. Compact the soil tightly. Pour out two buckets of water and mulch.
- The main shoot is cut with sharp pruning shears to a height of 80 cm, and the tree is tied to a hammered peg to protect it from the wind.
Landing dates and rules
The gardener chooses the planting period and time depending on the region of residence.. In warm areas, preference is given to planting before winter, and in the central zone and the Urals - in spring.
It is better to plant in autumn a month before the arrival of winter and frost. This period should be enough for the seedling to take root. The spring planting period is the time before the sap begins to flow, until the tree begins to show signs of activity. Most often this is mid-April. This is explained by the fact that the tree will have enough time to adapt and accumulate nutrients to survive the winter.
With proper care, cherries can live up to 100 years., therefore, the choice of location should be taken with full responsibility. The tree loves warm, sunny areas without close groundwater. The planting hole is located on the south side of the house, fence or hill exposure. The distance to the nearest buildings should be at least 3-4 m. The soil should be loamy.
Crown formation
The volume of the harvest depends on a properly formed crown., longevity of the tree and susceptibility to disease.
Basic principles:
- retraction of all branches located at an acute angle;
- removal of shoots growing inside the crown;
- a sample of diseased, damaged and dry branches;
- mandatory disinfection of cut sites with garden varnish;
- the tool should be as sharp as possible.
In the second year after planting, the lower tier should consist of three branches, which in the future will be the basis of the entire crown. One of them must be at least 20 cm higher than the others. They must be shortened by a third of the length.
During pruning in the third year, the branches of the middle tier are thinned out, leaving three main. The central shoot is cut to a height of 1 m from the level of the middle tier.
Left for the fourth year three branches of the upper tier.
Watering
The crop does not tolerate excessive soil moisture and acidification.. Watering is most important during the period of berry formation and growth. In spring and summer, in the absence of rain, it is carried out once a week.
Water consumption depends on the age of the tree and varies from one to five buckets. After harvesting, watering is reduced to once a month. “Moisture charging” is done in October, adding up to 70 liters of water under each tree.
Important! You cannot pour water directly under a tree trunk - only into the circle around the trunk.
Top dressing
In the spring, the next year after planting, 100 g of urea is added to the tree trunk circle., evenly scattering and loosening the soil. Similarly, in the fall, add 400 g of superphosphate and 200 g of potassium salt.
Twice a year, all young trees are topped with a solution of mullein or any organic matter.. To do this, take 1 liter of manure per bucket of water and let it sit for several days.Then add another bucket of water and use it for fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer for adult plants is doubled.
Diseases and pests
This cherry variety is not susceptible to diseases. With proper care, adherence to general principles will be required: whitewashing the lower part of the skeletal branches and trunk, preventive treatment in the spring with a solution of Bordeaux mixture and timely pruning.
The solution for blue spraying is prepared as follows::
- dissolve 100 g of vitriol in 1 liter of hot water in a glass jar;
- in another jar, quicklime is dissolved in the same proportions;
- after waiting until all the grains have dissolved, the white liquid is poured into a plastic bucket;
- pour the blue solution into the whites in a thin stream and mix with a plastic stick;
- filter and pour into a sprayer.
Avoid contact with iron or other metals. The resulting solution is used to treat plants in early spring before the onset of the growing season.
If a tree is attacked by aphids, they are destroyed using Aktelik. The working solution is prepared based on the recommendations from the instructions for use.
Read also:
The best varieties of cherries for the Moscow region
Wintering
After water-charging irrigation, the soil of the circle is mulched with straw or sawdust. To preserve the integrity of the bark, whitewashing is carried out. This will protect it from cracking, sunburn and pests. Prepare a solution from 1 kg of chalk, 50 g of glue and 250 g of copper sulfate. For the first five years, the plant is covered with spruce branches, non-woven material, and protective structures are built.
Reproduction
There are several options for getting a new plant:
- growing from seed, however in this case the berries of this seedling will have different taste and external characteristics;
- rooting of green cuttings - the method preserves varietal characteristics;
- grafting onto a rootstock is the fastest method and is used most often;
- Rooting by air layering is a more reliable method than propagation by green shoots.
Features of growing this variety, depending on the region
The variety was developed specifically for the Central region; it can be grown in the Middle Zone and the Urals. In colder areas with short summers and long frosts, it will be more difficult for the plant to produce crops and accumulate strength for wintering. To prevent flowering plants from being exposed to short-term frosts, they are fumigated with smoke.
Care in Siberia, the Urals and the Far East should provide the plant with maximum care nutrients. It is recommended to grow cherries on a dwarf rootstock, protect the branches from cold winds and promptly prune frozen branches so that they do not expose the tree to infection.
Ovstuzhenka is an early ripening variety, so there is a risk of fruit buds freezing during flowering. To prevent this from happening, they use the method of delaying the growing season. To do this, mulch the tree trunk circle after the first snow falls. In the middle of winter, the snow that falls is compacted. When it melts, the snow under the mulch will still keep the ground frozen, which will delay flowering for 2-3 weeks.
Important. The Central Black Earth region and Central Russia have favorable conditions for growing Ovstuzhenka, and therefore do not require additional measures.
Pollinator varieties
Best pollinators: Pink pearl, Revna.If the garden is small and there is no space for plants, then you can graft a pollinator branch into the crown of the tree.
Reviews from summer residents
Reviews from summer residents from different regions of Russia are mostly positive:
Alla, Tver: “We have been growing Ovstuzhenka at our dacha for five years now. The berries are not too large, but quite sweet. The first harvest was received last year. The variety is unpretentious, but requires frequent watering".
Valentina, Voronezh: “The whole family loves to harvest cherries. Both children and grandchildren like berries. The tree overwinters well. We do not carry out special procedures for insulation. Growing since 2010".
Ivan, Moscow: “Despite the frosty winters, the tree produces three buckets of berries per season. Of course, birds steal a lot, but the variety is productive and there is enough for everyone.”
Conclusion
The Ovstuzhenka variety is successfully grown in almost all regions of Russia. It has an attractive appearance, is resistant to diseases and does not require maintenance. Despite the early ripening of the variety, you can vary the onset of the growing season and enjoy delicious berries every year.