Description and characteristics of varieties of columnar cherries, planting and care, how to prune
Cherries can often be found on personal plots and in gardens - they bloom beautifully, juicy berries are good both fresh and in compotes and jams. Thanks to the work of breeders, columnar varieties of cherries are becoming increasingly popular. These attractive, compact and fruitful trees feel great in mild climates and do not cause problems with care.
Features of the view
The expressive feature of the variety is reflected in the name - the tree trunk is shaped like a column, from which short branches extend. It does not take up much space in the garden; dwarf subspecies are grown in the open field, as well as in pots. The largest variety, the Columnar Queen, reaches a height of no more than 2.5 m.
Columnar trees are miniature, will decorate any garden and complement the composition in landscape design. Suitable for growing in a greenhouse or winter garden. At the same time, the advantages of the variety are not only in appearance, but also in the yield and taste of berries.
The best varieties
Columnar cherry is represented by several varieties with slight differences. Among the popular ones are Rapture, Tiny, and Columnar Queen. According to the requirements for conditions and care, they are suitable for growing in the Moscow region.
Baby
The dwarf tree grows about 2 m, the crown has a pyramidal shape, 50-80 cm wide. It is good during the flowering period, in early spring. Inflorescences are lush, double, light pink, very fragrant.
Gives a bountiful harvest, berries are large - 8-10 g each, juicy, sweet and sour. Suitable for fresh consumption, for desserts, baking and preservation. The baby is often used as an ornamental tree; it decorates the garden during flowering and fruiting.
Requires insulation for the winter, with excessive humidity, it can suffer from fruit rot and fungal diseases.
Delight
This variety causes real delight with its productivity - about 25 kg of berries are harvested from one adult tree, while its height does not exceed 2 meters. Cherries are large, 10-15 g each, and sweet, ripen in the second half of July. They are good to eat fresh, to give to children.
Delight is also suitable for planting in special closed containers. Resistant to diseases, suffers from frost in the cold season.
Queen
These trees are the largest of the columnar trees, reaching a height of 2.5-3 meters. At the same time, there are fewer berries than in the description of varieties Malyutka and Vostorg - an average of 7 g. Cherry is very beautiful during the flowering period, has a strong aroma and pink inflorescences.
Of the advantages - unpretentious care, good winter hardiness and immunity to diseases.
Planting and leaving
Columnar cherries do not require complex care, but you should be careful when choosing a place for seedlings.
Trees love sun and warmth. A sunny area protected from the wind is suitable for them. It doesn't have to be big, minimal distance between cherries - half a meter. The composition of the soil also matters, too wet will have a bad effect on the growth of the tree. Loose, fertile black soil is well suited. Before planting a seedling, the pit for it is fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers.
When selecting planting material, attention is paid to the integrity of the upper kidney. While the seedling is rooting, it is necessary to maintain the moisture content of the soil, then water it as needed.
Fertilizing of cherries is done in the spring - fertilizers of a nitrogen complex, for example, ammonium nitrate, are applied, and in the fall - with phosphorus fertilizers. Once every two to three years, during autumn loosening, the land is enriched with humus or manure.
To protect trees from fungal diseases and pests, preventive spraying is carried out twice a year. It is important that funds do not accumulate in future berries. Leaves and fruits with traces of the disease are removed and burned at the stake.
The rules for planting and leaving a columnar cherry are simple, the main points are:
- choosing a place for seedlings;
- timely watering;
- removal of weeds in the root zone;
- periodic feeding;
- prevention of fungal diseases;
- insulation of the trunk and root zone for the winter.
Pruning
The problem of how to prune fruit and berry trees worries gardeners. The great advantage of columnar varieties is that the straight stem does not need additional crown formation.
