Characteristics and description of the early Shpanka cherry cultivar, pollinators and varieties
New varieties of cherries appear regularly thanks to the careful work of breeders. But many give preference to old proven stone fruit hybrids. Among the popular varieties, one can single out the Shpanka cherry, which has been grown for over 200 years. This sweet cherry / cherry hybrid is popular with gardeners in the southern and central regions. Spansky cherries are appreciated for the aroma and taste of large fruits.
History of origin
Natural cross-pollination of cherry and sweet cherry trees was the beginning of the appearance of the Shpanka variety. Through wide dissemination, the culture became known not only in its homeland, Ukraine, but also in the southern regions of Russia, in Moldavia. The work of breeders to improve the variety led to the emergence of varieties of Shpank cherry, which settled in the gardens of the Volga region, the Moscow region, reached the Urals and Siberia.
Description of the variety
Cherry Spanka refers to tall crops, reaching from 6 meters and more. With an extensive crown of a rounded shape, which is formed by straight and long branches located at right angles to the trunk, it becomes a real queen of the garden. But they note the fragility of the shoots reaching a length of 3 meters. Strong winds can break them off.
If the trunk and branches of the Shpunk cherry are dark brown, then the young growth is lighter. Therefore, when pruning, it is easy to remove old shoots.
On dark red petioles, oval leaves, slightly elongated, are attached to the branches. The appearance of inflorescences with 3-5 pinkish flowers makes the tree the main decoration of the May garden. The structure of the stamens and pistils is such that partial pollination of the cherry occurs.
The description of the variety must include the fact that starting from the 5-6th year of life, the tree bears fruit with large berries with a woody seed inside. And the more mature the culture, the more fruits it gives annually.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the reasons for choosing Spank cherries for gardening is that varieties of the variety can:
- grow successfully in regions with hot and dry summers;
- to endure frosts and a decrease in temperature in winter to -20 degrees;
- partially pollinate independently;
- bear fruit at the end of June;
- consistently bear fruit 35-40 kilograms of berries from one tree;
- resist disease steadily.
The disadvantages of the Shpanka variety include the fact that the berries are not stored for a long time, they do not tolerate transportation well. During the growing season, the tree often suffers from strong winds. Its branches break off because of their fragility. Weak cherries and bark, which cracks from spring frosts, during cold winters.
Characteristic
To start cultivating Spank cherries on his site, the gardener must know all the nuances of the characteristics of the tree.
Growing regions
A hybrid with wonderful fruits, large and sweet, many gardeners want to grow on their plots. Cherry Shpanka comes from Ukraine, so the tree takes root and grows best in the southern regions. The climate of Moldova and Belarus is preferable for her. Gardeners of Central Asia are happy to grow sweet fruits, because Shpanka easily tolerates drought.
In the gardens near Moscow, there is also a tall, spreading tree. An early maturing variety of stone fruit has taken root in the central regions with cold winters and short summers. Moreover, breeders have tried to bring out varieties of cherries that successfully bear fruit in the Bryansk, Kursk, Leningrad regions.
Fruit quality and yield indicators
The quality of berries is most valued in cherries. In the Shpanka variety, the characteristics of the fruits include:
- weight up to 45 grams;
- juicy pulp under a bright light red skin;
- rounded shape with slight flatness;
- the presence of a yellowish bone inside, which is easily separated;
- the taste is sweet with a little acid.
Fruiting in Shpunk cherries begins from the 2nd year of life. But first, a few berries appear, only by the age of 4 their number increases sharply. In a nine-year-old tree, all young shoots are strewn with bunches of fruits. The yield rises to 40 kilograms in an adult plant.
Fruiting failures occur when the inflorescences are damaged by spring frosts.
Pollinators
Partially self-pollinated cherry occurs for 40-50% of flowers. Others need pollinators from other trees. For this, cherry trees Griot Ostheimsky, Ukrainian, Stoicaya are planted nearby. Pollination with the Lyubskaya variety is successfully taking place. Cherry grows well next to mountain ash, elderberry, plum. At the same time, the tree is removed from other crops by 1.5-2 meters.
Popular varietal varieties
Gardeners need to be well versed in the varieties of the Shpanka variety in order to choose the option that is suitable for a particular region:
- Donetsk cherry was obtained at the experimental station by crossing with sweet cherry. Shpanka is valued for its large-fruited nature, since the berries can reach a weight of 6-7 grams. The peak fruiting of the species occurs in the 9th year of the tree's life. The advantage of the variety is its drought tolerance. After frost damage, the culture quickly recovers. For pollination of Donetsk Shpanki it is recommended to plant cherries next to it.
- Most recently, Bryansk cherry, specially bred for cultivation in the Central regions, was included in the State Register. The tree is distinguished by a short trunk, straight, upward-growing shoots. The taste of medium-sized fruits is sweet and sour. The yield corresponds to 30-40 kilograms from 1 adult tree.
- For the North-West regions, Shimskaya cherry has been bred, reaching a height of 3 meters. The first fruits appear on the shoots 3-4 years after planting. They reach 3 grams by weight, red in color, light tone. The bushy cherry has a dark brown bark. To increase yields, the variety requires regular crown formation.
- Hybrid Dwarf Shpanka was obtained by pollination of cherry cherries. The tree rarely reaches a height of 3 meters. It easily tolerates low temperatures, therefore it is actively cultivated in the north-western regions, in the Urals, in Siberia. The tenacious and hardy species of the Shpanka variety fell in love with its resistance to diseases and pests.
- Dessert cherry Large-fruited is intended for preparation of preparations for the winter, freezing of berries. The disadvantage of the variety is that the fruits do not tolerate transportation well, they cannot be stored for a long time, but must be processed immediately after harvest.
An interesting variety of varieties bred for distribution in the Kursk region. Unlike other types of Shpanky, it is cherry type amorel, which has red skin and colorless juice. Kursk cherry does not tolerate frost well, so it must be protected by spruce branches from low temperatures.
Features of planting and care
The stone fruit crop of the Shpanka variety prefers light, loose soils with neutral acidity. It is better to choose well-lit areas with groundwater occurrence below 1.5 meters.
A pit for planting cherries is prepared in advance, 2-5 weeks in advance. They dig it in accordance with the norm, 60-70 centimeters wide, 40-50 deep. The pits are filled with soil, mixed with humus, phosphate-potassium fertilizers. On the day of planting, they take the top nutrient layer of the soil and put a mound in the center of the pit. A cherry seedling is placed on it. After that, the roots begin to fall asleep, not forgetting about the deepening of the basal neck. It should not be 5-6 centimeters higher than the ground level.
After filling the hole, they crush the soil well, water the bushes. The trunk circle is mulched with a layer of sawdust or humus.
Caring for the Spunk hybrid includes regular procedures:
- trimming the crown for its formation, renewal;
- watering, 5-6 times during the dry season;
- top dressing with organic and mineral fertilizers;
- loosening the soil around the trunk;
- mulching.
It is necessary to prune a tree, the more often its branches break. In spring and autumn, damaged shoots are removed. Cut out old ones to increase crop yields. Young shoots are not shortened at the onset of fruiting. Thinning of the crown is applied to a 9-year-old tree, cutting off sick, poorly developed shoots.
In arid regions, mulching is carried out in the snow, then more moisture will remain in the soil. In the fall, a layer of mulch is sealed, digging up the trunk circle. Throughout the summer, there should be cleanliness around the tree trunk, and the soil should be kept loose. Every spring, they fertilize with mullein or poultry droppings, diluting them in water, respectively, in a ratio of 1: 5 and 1:12.
All types of work are carried out so that the tree develops, pleases with delicious fruits.
Breeding features
An aging tree cannot be productive, so it is necessary to start multiplying the favorite variety. To do this, the root shoots are not cut to the ground, but strong and healthy shoots are left from it.... For reproduction, an escape of 2 years old and 60 centimeters high is suitable. Dig it up so as to leave as many roots as possible intact. It is necessary to separate the seedling from the mother root carefully, chopping off with a shovel or snacking on a pruner. The work is carried out carefully, without violating the integrity of the root system of the mother tree.
You can propagate the culture by grafting. Hardy varieties of cherries and cherries are chosen for the scion. This method should be performed by experienced gardeners, for beginners it is difficult and not always successful.
