Description of columnar cherry varieties, features of their planting and care, how to prune

Gardeners who do not have spacious plots are forced to carefully select tree varieties planted on their estates. The main conditions for crops in such situations are compactness and fruitfulness. Planting columnar cherries on a plot solves both of these problems, allowing you to grow a decent crop on a small plot of land.

Features of the view

The culture has a number of features that distinguish it favorably from other varieties that are less suitable for cramped areas:

1. A tree of compact shape, the growth of which goes straight upward.
2. An adult tree has a cylindrical shape and reaches a height of no more than 3 meters.
3. Due to the fact that the branches do not grow in width, cherries can be planted close to each other, which significantly saves free space on the site.
4. The fruits grow comfortably, and the gardener does not have to bother during harvesting
5. The culture is not only fruitful and compact, it also has decorative properties, decorating the site with its unusual appearance.

Note! When purchasing this variety of cherries, make sure that the top bud is not damaged. Otherwise, the tree will not be able to grow, and you will be wasting your time and money.

Characteristics

Columnar cherries have the following characteristics:

1. An adult tree does not grow higher than 3 meters. The average size of the crop is 2 meters.
2. The branches do not grow in width, and the diameter of one seedling is no more than 1 meter.
3. The first harvest is harvested 3 years after planting.
4. The life cycle of a tree is 20, and in rare cases, with good care, 30 years.
5. It has an impressive yield - on average, 13 kilograms of cherries are harvested from a tree.
6. The variety is distinguished not only by the pleasant taste of the fruit. The fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals of various groups.

Resistance to drought and frost

Columnar cherries have average frost resistance and are suitable for growing primarily in regions with a warm, mild climate.Of course, the crop is also planted in regions with cold climates, but in this case the gardener will have to spend more time and effort on growing and caring for it.

The tree does not like excessive dryness, but do not overdo it by flooding the seedlings with large amounts of water. It is optimal to water with a moderate amount of water, which is increased only during particularly dry periods. Gardeners can also slightly increase the amount of water when watering during fruit set.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening

For crop pollination, the Sem variety would be a good choice. It is a kind of universal pollinator that goes well with other popular varieties. For pollination of the Sem variety, the following varieties are suitable:

• Van Big;
• Helena;
• Hedelfinska.

The Cordia and Silvia varieties also grow well together.

The flowering period of the cherry is late, but due to the resistance of the flowers to low temperatures, it can withstand frosts down to -2 ^O. Most varieties ripen in June, closer to the middle of the month, approximately on the 15th.

Yield quantity and taste of berries

Cherry has a high fruit yield and begins to bear fruit already 2-3 years after planting. Experienced gardeners who have been growing this crop for several years recommend removing all ovaries that form on the tree in the first two years after planting on the site. This will allow new seedlings to take root on the site and subsequently produce a stable, high-quality harvest.

Young trees bring the owner, on average, about 14 kilograms of fruit from one seedling.

Adult specimens can produce a harvest of up to fifty kilograms of cherries. Such intense fruiting negatively affects the lifespan of cherries.Most trees live no longer than 20 years. The fruits of the tree have a pleasant, rich taste that can compete on equal terms with other varieties.

Immunity to diseases and pests

Susceptible to the following diseases:

• scab;
• brown spot;
• tinder.

If signs of these diseases are detected, the affected leaves are torn off, after which the tree is treated with Bordeaux mixture.

The crop is vulnerable to attack by pests such as:

• aphid;
• weevil;
• caterpillar;
• codling moth.

To destroy harmful insects, treat the tree with special preparations.

Important! To prevent the appearance of pests, treat the tree trunk with a solution of slaked lime. It is necessary to paint from the base, approximately 40-50 centimeters upward.

How and when to plant cherries

Time planting cherries depends on the region where you live. If you live in the southern regions, with a warm climate favorable for growing, the tree can be planted in both spring and autumn. In cold areas, the situation is more complicated, and a seedling planted in the fall may not have time to gain a foothold before frost, which is why it will die in the future.

Therefore, in such conditions, it is recommended to plant young shoots in the spring, when the temperature at night stabilizes and becomes above zero - this is the best time for cultivation.

Caring for young and mature trees

The culture is unpretentious and does not require special care. The most stressful time for a gardener is only the first year of a tree’s life, when it needs protection from wind and excessive dryness of the soil. Otherwise, the care technology is not very different from other types. The important steps are:

• timely and correct watering;
• proper soil fertilization;
• treatment.

Watering

One of the most labor-intensive processes, during which the gardener must walk a fine line, not allowing the soil to dry out and not turning the area into a swampy area. To properly maintain balance and get a good harvest, the gardener needs the following watering scheme:

1. The first few years of life, cherries are watered almost daily. For the growth and formation of a tree, 4 liters of water per day is enough.
2. As the tree ages, it will need more water to produce a decent harvest.

Keep in mind that excessively wet soil will lead to the formation of fungus in the roots and trunk of the tree, which will negatively affect the size of the harvest. Adjust the frequency and intensity of watering depending on weather conditions.

Fertilizer

You need to fertilize the soil in the garden where columnar cherries grow about 3 times per season:

1. The first time the soil is enriched with fertilizers is in early spring, after the snow has completely melted. Fertilizers that contain potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus are best. After the soil is enriched with fertilizers, do not forget to water the area.
2. The soil is fertilized a second time in the summer, and urea is used as the main component.
3. The last time the soil is fertilized is at the end of autumn. Potassium sulfide is considered the best fertilizer during this period.

Note! Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are added to the soil exclusively in the spring.

Treatment

Treating cherries against diseases and pests is an important and responsible step. It is done as follows:

1. Spring treatment begins in April, when the buds are treated with a weak, 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. The process is repeated in May, which helps protect the garden from various fungal diseases.
2. The next stage occurs in the summer, during the formation of the first buds on the branches.Iron sulfate is used as a preparation.
3. The onset of autumn signals that it is time for the gardener to treat the soil around the trunk with a urea solution. They do this before the leaves fall. At the end of autumn, the leaves on the site are collected in one pile and burned.

Design schemes

Tree pruning occurs according to the following schemes:

1. Basic or classic scheme. The principle of pruning is to pinch the shoots, which leads to their rapid formation.
2. If there is not enough space on the site, you can use a scheme that forms a garden like a hedge. To do this, trees are planted close to each other, and side shoots are pruned by 10 centimeters every season. This scheme will allow you to collect a stable, large harvest for no more than 5 years. Afterwards, the crowns of the trees will begin to intertwine, and the amount of harvest will drop. The method is used for decorative purposes, to decorate the site.
3. With due diligence, a gardener can form a cup-shaped crown. This is possible if the upper part of the trunk, including the shoots, is trimmed annually. Thus, the crown will begin to form not upward, but in breadth. This method can be applied to low varieties of cherries.

Varieties and descriptions of columnar cherries

Columnar cherries are becoming more popular day by day due not only to their bright and rich taste, but also to the wide variety of varieties. Today, breeders have developed various species that grow not only in favorable conditions of the southern climate, but also in regions with cool weather. Popular varieties include:

1. Helena variety.
2. Black cherry.
3. Silvia.
4. Delight.
5. Queen Mary.
6. Baby.
7. Sabrina.
8. Sem.
9. Revna.

All of them have exceptional characteristics and are worthy of a more detailed consideration.

Helena

Distinctive characteristics:

• crown diameter – no more than one meter;
• height – 3 meters and below;
• the berries weigh 13 grams and are ruby ​​in color;
• The taste of the berry is intense, rich, and the pulp is dense and juicy;
• About 14 kilograms of harvest are harvested from one tree per season;
• tree life cycle – 25 years;
• refers to frost-resistant varieties. Can be grown in regions where the air temperature in winter drops to at least 25 ^O.

Black

Peculiarities:

• the variety is resistant to temperature changes, but in winter it is better to cover the trees to avoid their death;
• the tree is compact in size. The crown diameter does not exceed 0.5 meters, and the height fluctuates around the two-meter mark. Great for small areas;
• sweet cherries are distinguished by the ruby ​​color of their fruits;
• the taste is bright, rich;
• the fruit is large, juicy;
• the skin has a glossy tint.

Silvia

In its features, this cherry variety is similar to Helena. They differ in the following details:

• early period of maturation. Ahead of Helena by 2 weeks;
• the variety is protected from the effects of harmful microorganisms and insects;
• frost resistance is lower than that of Helena. For the winter, it is advisable to snatch the tree from severe frosts;
• the yield from the tree is consistently high;
• The fruits easily tolerate transportation and do not lose their presentable appearance.

Growing in the same area, Sylvia and Helena pollinate each other, which is a pleasant bonus to the other characteristics of both varieties.

Baby

Characteristics:

• small tree size. It rarely reaches a height of two meters. Most often, growth stops around 1.5 meters. The crown in diameter does not exceed 80 centimeters;
• the berries have a strong, pleasant aroma, which is much more intense than that of other relatives;
• the taste of the fruit is sweet and sour;
• if desired, you can grow the variety even in northern regions, for example, in Siberia, if you take care of reliable shelter for the winter;
• suitable for various preparations and preservations;
• good decorative properties.

Delight

Another popular variety with decent yield and taste. Distinctive features include:

• the height of an adult tree reaches 2-2.5 meters;
• the crown diameter also does not shine with miniature dimensions, and is equal to 1 meter;
• crop yield is consistently high, not changing from year to year;
• According to the ripening period, it belongs to the mid-early varieties;
• The cherry fruit is scarlet in color and weighs up to 15 grams;
• the berries taste sweet and juicy;
• just like yellow cherries, it has good protection against fungal diseases and parasites;
• The harvest is harvested already in the second year after planting the seedling.

Queen Mary

The variety is not suitable for areas with harsh winters. The regions of Central Russia are considered a halo of growth. Weak resistance to frost is balanced by excellent taste and intense yield. The berries are juicy, have a bright color and a pronounced aroma.

Revna

Another popular variety in Russia, which stands out for the following qualities:

• very juicy and tasty berries that are stored for a long time and do not lose their original, marketable appearance;
• the skin is dark in color, almost black;
• suitable for transportation;
• The berry size is smaller than other varieties. For Revna, berries weighing 7-8 grams are considered the norm;
• the tree is protected from harmful insects and diseases. There is no need to be afraid of losing your harvest due to an unexpected illness;
• frost-resistant crop, which is grown even in the northern regions of our country;
• Rhubarb is not afraid of sunburn.

Sabrina

It has poor frost resistance and is not suitable for regions with harsh climates. The tree reaches large sizes, growing at least a meter in diameter. The height of an adult tree reaches 3 meters. Weakly susceptible to attacks by insects and pathogens. The yield is good, the berries are tasty and juicy.

Sam

The main feature of the variety is that it is a universal pollinator. Combines with other varieties in one area, significantly increasing the overall yield. The berries grow medium in size, but taste very sweet. The ripening period occurs earlier than all other varieties, at least 10 days. The life cycle of a tree is 15 years.

As you can see, columnar cherries can please even the most fastidious gardener, providing high yields and improving the appearance of the site.