Description and characteristics of the Leningradskaya black cherry variety, cultivation and care

Modern selection offers a large number of different varieties of cherries, each of which has its own advantages. Gardeners in the middle zone, where winters are cold and frosts are quite severe, should pay attention to the Leningrad black cherry. This variety has high frost resistance, but at the same time produces a stable harvest of tasty fruits.

Characteristics and description of the Leningradskaya black cherry variety

The Leningradskaya Black cherry variety was bred for cultivation in the northwestern part of Russia. The efforts of breeders were aimed at creating more hardy plants, increasing their winter hardiness, and accelerating the ripening of fruits.

The description of the Leningradskaya black cherry variety includes the following characteristics:

• tree height does not exceed 4 m;
• branches and shoots covered with oval green leaves with jagged edges are characterized by rapid growth;
• the crown is formed wide and spreading;
• the bark is brownish-brown in color and has a soft structure;
• white flowers bloom in the second half of May, collected in small inflorescences.

With proper care, trees produce a harvest in the 2nd year, by the 5th year of life it is 35 kg per plant. Tasters rate the taste of these berries as 4.2 on a five-point scale. Characteristics of the fruits of this variety:

• heart-shaped;
• berry weight 3-4 g;
• cherry, almost black color of the peel;
• sweet and sour taste;
• juicy pulp with a fibrous structure;
• small bone;
• The aroma is spicy.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Advantages of the Leningradskaya black cherry variety:

• resistance to low temperatures;
• stable yield above average;
• pleasant taste of fruits;
• fast ripening;
• strong immunity;
• possibility of long-term transportation without loss of presentation.

Among the disadvantages are:

• self-sterility;
• need for watering;
• uneven ripening of berries;
• average berry size.

The nuances of growing a tree

The main feature of the Leningrad black cherry is its self-sterility. To form the ovary, it is necessary to plant a pollinator nearby, which is usually a different variety of cherry.Conditions for successful pollination:

• coincidence of flowering period;
• the distance between trees is no more than 3 m;
• persistently warm weather;
• absence of prolonged rains or prolonged drought.

To save space in the garden, you can graft cherry varieties suitable for cross-pollination onto one rootstock.

Cherry varieties recommended as pollinators for Leningrad black:

• Leningrad yellow or pink;
• Revna;
• Michurinka;
• And the way;
• Bryanochka;
• Teremoshka;
• Tyutchevka;
• Seda.

Time and place for landing

The Leningradskaya black cherry variety was bred for cultivation in cold climates. Seedlings will take root best if planted in early spring, before the growing season begins. In warm climates, autumn planting is recommended, when the growing season is over and the plants have already lost their leaves.

To grow Leningrad black cherries and pollinating varieties, choose a place with suitable conditions:

• abundant lighting;
• the surface of the site is flat or with a slight slope;
• reliable protection from blowing winds;
• the distance to the nearest trees is at least 3 m;
• groundwater not higher than 2 m from the surface;
• acidity within 6.5-7.0 pH;
• loose loamy or sandy loam soils.

Seedling preparation

It is recommended to purchase seedlings from reliable nurseries and garden centers. Their age should be 1-2 years, and their height should be about 1 m. Before planting, the seedling must be inspected and carefully prepared:

1. The trunk and shoots should not be damaged or moldy.
2. The seedling must have a central conductor and several side shoots.
3. Dry twigs are removed.
4. If humidity is low, the roots are soaked in water for several hours.
5. To enhance subsequent root growth, a small amount of stimulant is dissolved in water.

Planting process

The technology for planting Leningradskaya black cherries is carried out according to the general rules:

1. The planting pit is prepared in advance. In the fall for subsequent spring planting or 3 weeks before planting cherries in the fall. Its depth is 60 cm, and its diameter is 70-100 cm.
2. The pit is filled to the middle with a nutritious mixture of chernozem and humus. 270 g of fertilizers are also added there: 1/3 potassium and 2/3 phosphate.
3. Up to 40 liters of water are poured into the pit.
4. The extracted soil is stored until planting begins.
5. A third of the soil is poured into a heap at the bottom of the hole.
6. The roots of the seedling are evenly laid out along the slopes of the hill and covered with earth, holding the tree upright. In this case, the neck should remain approximately 5 cm above the surface.
7. The soil is compacted.
8. Water the seedling with 20 liters of warm water.
9. The tree trunk circle is mulched with crushed peat.

Subtleties of plant care

It is not difficult to care for Leningrad black cherries; it is enough to follow the watering rules, trim the crown in a timely manner and add the necessary nutrients to the soil.

Watering rules

Leningrad black cherries are moisture-loving varieties, and they need to be watered several times a season:

1. The first irrigation is carried out in the spring before flowering begins. For 1 tree you need 40 liters of warm water.
2. In summer, the tree is watered in dry weather, checking the soil moisture at 40 cm from the surface.
3. The last time moisture must be added is in the fall when preparing the plant for winter. For a tree older than 5 years, 100 liters of water is enough. Watering is carried out after digging up the soil and applying fertilizers, but before mulching the tree trunk circle.

Trimming

The formation and thinning of the cherry tree crown begins in the first years after planting.Pruning is carried out in early spring, before the sap begins to flow. The pruning pattern depends on the age of the plant:

1. 1-4 years. Dry shoots are completely removed, as well as those growing towards the central conductor or at a right angle. The rest are cut by 20%, the central one is kept intact.
2. 5 or more years. Remove dry and old branches, as well as damaged and diseased shoots.

Watering and mulching

For cherries to grow and produce high yields, the soil must remain moist. If a soil sample taken at a depth of 40 cm is sticky and easily crushed into a lump, then there is no need to additionally water the trees. Stagnation of moisture and waterlogging can lead to rotting of the root system and a decrease in the amount of oxygen. Mulching the soil will be a good replacement for constant irrigation. Suitable materials for this purpose include:

• crushed peat;
• humus;
• pine needles;
• straw;
• sawdust;
• leaf litter

Feeding

The scheme for applying additional fertilizers is simple; the plant is fed twice a year:

1. In May, the soil is enriched with a mixture of urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate in equal parts. 60 g of fertilizer is enough for one tree.
2. After the harvest is completed, the cherries are fertilized with superphosphate in a proportion of 50 g per square meter of crown projection.

Every 3 years, the soil under the crown is dug up and mixed with organic fertilizers, which are humus from manure or bird droppings.

Prevention of diseases, pests and preparation for winter

Despite strong immunity and resistance to many diseases, the Leningradskaya Chernaya cherry variety needs preventive measures against the following diseases:

1. Moniliosis.A 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture will help prevent the appearance of dark spots on fruits. Spraying of trees is carried out in early spring.
2. Gum treatment. Cracks formed on the bark are protected, treated with copper sulfate and covered with garden varnish.
3. Clusterosporiasis. Annual spraying of plants with fungicides will help prevent this disease. It is carried out at the beginning and end of each growing season.

Modern insecticides help get rid of typical fruit pests such as leaf rollers, moths, cherry flies and aphids.

Preparing cherries for winter includes loosening the tree trunk and abundant watering of the plant. To retain moisture in the soil, the entire surface of the earth under the crown is thoroughly mulched. Young trees can be wrapped in burlap or special protective fiber for the winter. High frost resistance allows Leningradskaya black cherries to easily survive the winter without additional heating measures.

Harvesting and preserving the harvest

The timing of fruit ripening depends on the growing region. In cold climates, the first berries are picked in the second half of July, in warm climates much earlier - at the end of June. Cherries ripen gradually, and harvesting can take several weeks. At the same time, the berries adhere well to the branches and are not prone to falling off on their own.

The danger is posed by numerous birds that are not afraid of noise and scarecrows, so it is recommended to cover the crown with a special net.

You can store fresh fruits in the refrigerator or basement at a temperature of 2-4 °C for up to 14 days. Berries perfectly retain their taste and nutrients when frozen. They are suitable for preparations such as compotes, preserves, marmalade and confiture. Cherry juice can be canned or frozen.