Description and characteristics of cherries Valery Chkalov, cultivation and care
Many people love sweet and aromatic cherries. These bright berries not only taste good, but are also healthy. They have a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system. Cherries contain a large amount of useful organic acids, a sufficient amount of fiber and sugar, ascorbic acid, therefore they are a useful product. Among all types, the cherry variety Valery Chkalov stands out favorably, which has remarkable properties.
Description and characteristics of cherries Valery Chkalov
According to the description of the variety, Valery Chkalov has a rather bright taste. The berries are in the shape of a heart, weighing from 6 to 9 g. The color of the fruit is a rich dark red hue. The pulp is sweet, the seed in the berry is large. Such berries are primarily used for fresh consumption, they can also be frozen or canned. The berries ripen very early - in the first decade of June.
The tree itself is strong with a spreading crown. Begins to bear fruit actively at the age of 5-6 years. The yield increases every year. The peak of maximum fruiting occurs in the 10-12 year of the tree's life.
This type of cherry is not self-pollinated.
The pollinator of this variety was such types of cherries as:
- "April";
- "Skorospelka";
- "Zhabule";
- "June early";
- "Bigarro Burlat".
The varieties "Dneprovskaya" and "Yaroslavna" are also used as a pollinator.
For better pollination of cherries, honey plants are planted next to it (mint, clover, marigolds, or pollinated with a solution of honey and water).
History of creation
The variety owes its appearance to the work of two large laboratories, such as the Central Genetic Laboratory of Michurin and the Sidorenko Gardening Station in Melitopol. It was bred in 1953 and subsequently successfully cultivated in various regions of Russia.
The description of the variety says that it got its name in memory of the test pilot Valery Chkalov. The source material was varieties with good winter hardiness and disease resistance.
What are the pros and cons of the variety
The species takes root well in areas with a warm or temperate climate. The variety is quite resistant to low temperatures. If the rules for planting and caring for a tree are followed, then it normally tolerates temperatures up to -25 degrees. Plants are unpretentious, while producing delicious fruits.
In warm regions, the average yield is 60 - 62 kg of berries per tree per season. The further north the territory, the lower the yield.
Sweet cherries of this type are early ripe. In addition, there are a number of additional benefits:
- large fruits with excellent taste;
- fast and high productivity;
- berries are great for canning or freezing.
According to gardeners, this is one of the leaders among all varieties of cherries.
Cherry Chkalov has only one definite disadvantage - it is prone to infection with fungal diseases.
The nuances of growing a crop
Such cherries are cultivated not only in garden plots, but also on an industrial scale. It is important to know about all the features of caring for this tree.
Seat selection
The place should be chosen so that there are no strong drafts - this variety does not tolerate them well. Plant pollinating trees nearby. Keep a distance of at least 4 meters between seedlings. It is good if the seedlings are planted on a small elevation that can be artificially created. This will enable future trees to receive the prescribed amount of sunlight.
You should be aware that groundwater should be located at least 3 meters from the topsoil level. Only in this case it will be possible to avoid root rot.
It is better to prepare a hole for planting a tree in the fall by digging it up and adding 2 buckets of humus. In the future, this will contribute to enhanced nutrition of the plant roots. You can do this in the spring.
Selection of seedlings
Saplings 2-3 years old are suitable for planting. The tree should have at least 3-4 branches with good bark condition, without excessive wrinkling. You should choose healthy seedlings with a trunk diameter of 17 mm. Branches and roots should be intact, without damage. It is better to purchase seedlings in specialized nurseries.
Landing dates
The best planting time for cherries is early April. In the autumn, it is not worth planting cherries, since the tree will not have time to take root before the onset of cold weather.
Site preparation
Further yield of trees will depend on how correctly the planting site is chosen and how it is prepared.
Step by step process
There are a number of specific recommendations that should be followed when planting seedlings:
- A hole is dug, organic fertilizer (compost) and minerals (ash, potassium sulfate) are added to it. Some gardeners do it in the fall.
- A peg of a suitable size is inserted into the ground for further tying up the tree.
- A young tree is planted in a prepared place without strong crushing of the roots. Sprinkle with earth, form a trunk circle for better fixation of the seedling.
- Then you need to tie up the seedling and water it. One bucket of water will be enough.
- Create mulch from peat or straw. This will keep the roots from problems.
Plant care
The tree needs weeding, watering, and additional fertilization.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering should be regular, but moderate, so that the tree does not suffer from the abundance of water. Young seedlings are watered 1 time before flowering, once after. Next time - 3 weeks before harvest and in October.
Young trees can be watered once a month, subject to high ambient temperatures (1 bucket each). For adult trees, the watering rate is three times a season, 4 buckets each. Do not water the tree additionally while the berries are ripening - this can lead to their cracking.
The last watering of an adult tree is carried out before the onset of cold weather. In order for the water to penetrate to the desired depth (up to 40 cm), grooves should be made in the ground. It is necessary to additionally fertilize the ground around the tree, however, an excess of minerals provokes rapid growth of shoots, and this should be avoided. Therefore, fertilizers should be applied in doses.
During the first year, the seedlings do not need to be fertilized, they will have enough what was introduced into the soil during planting. In the second year, in the spring, add 100 g of dry urea or its solution (30 g per 10 liters of water) to the soil. Once every two years, young trees should be fertilized with manure. After each watering, the soil should be loosened and covered with mulch.
Crown formation
A properly formed crown will not only look beautiful, the formation also gives practical value. You cannot do without pruning branches. This is done as follows:
- In the first year after planting, the central trunk of the seedling is cut off.
- In the second year, the 3 strongest branches are left in the bottom row. They should be chosen in such a way that one is 20 cm higher than the other two.
- In the third year, the main shoot is pruned so that the top is at a distance of 1 meter from the second tier.
- For the 4th year, the final tier should be formed, consisting of 3 branches.
- Then you should periodically thin out the branches growing inside the crown. This contributes to the formation of the correct crown shape.
Disinfect fresh sections with a solution of copper sulfate. The pruning itself is performed at high air temperatures and in good weather. Dried and diseased branches are removed, it is necessary to observe the tree in order to cut them off in time.
You can delete no more than a quarter of all branches at a time. Pruning is carried out in the spring after the first year of the seedling being in the ground. It is the shortening of the seedling and part of the shoots.
The height of a finished tree at the age of 5 years should be no more than 3.5 m.
To be pruned:
- Skeletal branches growing vertically.
- Too strong shoots.
- Extra lateral branches of the crown.
Loosening the soil and removing weeds
Mulching is carried out to get rid of weeds. Before loosening, this layer is removed, the soil is carefully loosened and returned to its place. Mulch covers the soil under the tree, preventing weeds from germinating.
Wintering
Although the variety has good frost resistance, the trees should still be prepared for wintering. In October, loosen the soil of the near-stem circle.
Young seedlings are especially susceptible to damage. They do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to cover the tree for the first three years after planting. This should be done no earlier than November at a steady temperature of up to 0 degrees.
To avoid drying out of the bark, the coating must be removed if the air temperature is above 5 degrees.
It is advisable to wrap the tree trunk with non-woven material, having previously impregnated with dust or diesel fuel. This smell is not tolerated by rodents. They also cover trees for the winter with spruce branches or straw with the addition of dry wormwood stems. Its smell scares off mice. You can also wrap the barrel with a polymer net.
Diseases and pests of the variety
The variety has good resistance to most diseases typical for sweet cherry, but some problems can be.
When pruning, gum flow may occur (streaks of yellow copper sulfate appear.
Cherries can suffer from scab. In this case, the main thing is to remove damaged branches and fruits in time and process the tree with Bordeaux liquid.
The defeat of fungal diseases occurs with excessive humidity. Preventing infection with a fungus, the branches are sprayed with a solution of ferrous sulfate in advance. How much substance is needed and how to make a solution is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions.
Among the pests that harm trees of this species, the following should be noted:
- The unpaired silkworm, whose larvae heavily eat the leaves of the tree. For prevention, cover the trunk in spring with special paint. The affected plant is treated with Actellik, Intavir.
- Cherry moth. It affects almost all parts of the plant that are above the ground, and greatly reduces the yield.
- Cherry fly. Its larvae destroy fruits. The fallen berries should be removed in time and the earth should be dug up from time to time. To prevent or when the first signs appear, they are treated with appropriate drugs (for example, "Aktara"). You can also cope with pests with the help of their natural enemies. You can attract beneficial insects (ladybug, ground beetle) with the help of plants. To do this, you need to plant nearby mint, tansy, calendula.
Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia
Since 1974, the species has become widespread in many regions of the Caucasus, then in the southern regions of Siberia. The variety gives the highest yield in the southern regions of Russia, in particular in the Krasnodar Territory.
Harvesting
Harvest from trees of this species early - in early June. They remove the fruits together with the stalk, so they retain their good appearance longer. At room temperature, in good condition, the berries can be stored only for a day, then they begin to deteriorate. In general, this variety has received a positive response from most users.
