Description of the cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova, planting and care diagram

Just recently, gardeners in the central zone of our country could not even imagine that tasty and juicy cherries could be grown and harvested on their plots. But thanks to many years of work by breeders, growing this tree is now possible even in the coldest regions of the country. The cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova is exactly such a fruit tree.

Origin and region of cultivation

The Bryansk Research Institute of Lupine is an innovator in the development of new varieties of fruit plants, and the leading role in the development of the cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova belongs to the famous breeder - Academician Kanshina. The cherry tree got its name thanks to her husband, the famous scientist Astakhov. Another name for the hybrid variety of this cherry is “In Memory of Astakhov”.

A new frost-resistant type of cherry was registered in 2011 and is recommended for cultivation in the central regions of the country, the Urals, the Non-Black Earth Region and the southern regions. The new hybrid was bred from Leningrad and Voronezh plant varieties.

Therefore, gardeners in the Moscow region now grow fruit crops in gardens and vegetable gardens with great pleasure.

Advantages and disadvantages of Memory of Astakhov

Although Pamyati Astakhov cherries are a hybrid variety, they have both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Resistant to temperature changes and cold climates.
2. High quality fruit and taste.
3. With proper care, the crop shows high productivity.
4. Since the variety is hybrid, it is resistant to some diseases.
5. Small tree size.

Flaws:

1. The plant does not tolerate frost well during the flowering period.
2. The fruit crop has poor self-pollination rates.

Important! The Lyubimitsa Astakhova cherry, resistant to winter frosts, is not particularly difficult to care for, so it is suitable for growing even for a novice gardener.

Description of the variety

Cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova differs from its cultural counterparts in late ripening, large fruits and the ability to grow in regions with different climatic conditions.

Tree height and crown branching

Young cherry trees have a fast growth rate. An adult plant reaches an average size of 3.5 to 4 meters. The oval-shaped crown is not distinguished by its density, which allows the rays of the sun to reach the fruits unhindered.
The leaves are green and pointed at the ends.

Pollinators and flowering

Active flowering of Astakhov's favorite cherry occurs at the end of spring. And since the tree’s ability to self-pollinate is poorly developed, in the absence of the right neighbors, very few fruit ovaries are formed.

For good fruiting, the tree needs other varieties of crops, which it is advisable to plant at the same time. The varieties Tyutchevka, Krupnoplodnaya, and Iput are best suited for pollination. Any other cherry variety that has the same flowering time can become a pollinator for Astakhov’s Lyubimitsa.

Cherry or cherry trees planted in neighboring vegetable gardens and orchards will also become pollinators.
Fruit ripening and yield

Important! Cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova begins to bear fruit abundantly in the 5th year of growth.

Proper tree care allows you to harvest tasty and juicy berries from mid-July. The crop does not have a periodicity of fruiting, so the harvest appears annually. Large fruits have an average weight of 5-6g, but individual berries can weigh up to 7.5-8g. A small cherry tree produces an average of 10-15 kg of berries per season.

Cherries of this variety are also grown on an industrial scale.

Transportability and use of berries

With juicy pulp, the fruits have a dense skin, which allows the harvest to be transported over long distances without losing the appearance and taste of the berries.

Due to its sweet taste, this variety of cherries is widely used in cooking. In addition to being consumed fresh, the fruits are boiled, dried and frozen. They also make nectars, juices, and process them into preserves, jams and confitures.

Characteristics of culture

The cherry variety Pamyati Astakhov is a hybrid variety, therefore it has distinctive features that allow the tree to be grown in any climatic conditions.

Sustainability

When developing new varieties of cherries, breeders take into account the climatic conditions of the regions where the crop will be grown and susceptibility to the most common diseases. Therefore, hybrid varieties of fruit crops acquire new characteristics that simplify their care.

To frost

The new cherry variety was bred specifically for cultivation in the middle zone, the Urals and the Siberian region. Therefore, the plant’s resistance to frost and sudden changes in temperature is much higher than average. But young seedlings need to be additionally insulated in winter.

To the drought

Fruit crops do not like excess moisture. But in particularly dry climates it requires additional irrigation work.

Pests and diseases

Hybrid varieties of fruit trees are created taking into account increased immunity to many fungal diseases.

Lyubimitsa Astakhova has high resistance to coccomycosis and moniliosis. And in order to protect the plant from other diseases and pests, preventive measures are necessary, which are carried out annually from spring to autumn.

Methods for propagating cherries

Gardeners always want to increase the yield of tasty and healthy berries.But for this, the culture needs to be propagated.

Cherry varieties Lyubimitsa Astakhova can be propagated in several ways:

1. Seeds. In this case, you should not expect that the new plant will have all the properties of the mother tree.
2. Using cuttings. The upper shoots of an adult tree are cut off, which after 2-3 months acquire their own root system and are ready for independent growth.
3. But the best way for hybrid crops is propagation by grafting cuttings onto an adult plant. This method rejuvenates old trees whose yield has decreased.

Important! A grafted cutting of any variety onto a Lyubimitsa Astakhova cherry can also serve as a tree pollinator.

Planting cherries in memory of Astakhov

The yield and rate of plant development depend on how correctly and timely the planting work is done.

Choosing a healthy and strong seedling

It is recommended to buy hybrid seedlings only in official garden centers or nurseries. It is there that the plant varieties that you need will be offered.

Characteristics of the seedling:

1. The age of the seedling is from 1 to 3 years. Young plants take root faster and survive better after planting in open ground.
2. The height of the seedling is from 80 cm to 1 m.
3. The tree should have several strong, strong shoots, and the main trunk, also known as the conductor, should not have additional branches at the top.
4. The root system of the seedling is well developed, without traces of rot or fungal formations.
5. The bark of the tree is without any foreign stains or damage.

Before planting, the seedling is placed in water for 3-4 hours. If the root system is overdried, then the period the plant remains in water before planting increases to 10-15 hours.

Disembarkation dates and scheme

The timing of planting cherries depends on the climatic conditions of the region where the tree will be grown.

In southern regions with a warm climate, seedlings are planted in open ground in the fall, before the first night temperatures below zero. Young plants have time to take root and take root, so they can easily endure a mild winter.

But in the central part and northern regions, planting work is carried out in the spring months. Over the summer, the tree will get stronger and gain strength for wintering in the harsh conditions of cold winters.

It is preferable to plant cherries on flat areas or small hills on the south or west side of the garden plot. The planting site should be well ventilated and illuminated by sunlight.

Preparing the planting hole

Lime must be added to soil with a high acid content. Choose a dry place for planting. A prerequisite is the absence of ground and soil water.

Pits for autumn planting of seedlings are prepared a month before the start of planting work:

1. The depth of the pit is from 60 to 70 cm, the diameter is 80 to 90 cm.
2. The filling of the pit consists of black soil, organic fertilizers, compost, phosphate and potassium fertilizers.
3. The pit is filled with water and left for 3-4 weeks.

If plants are planted in the spring, then the planting pit is still prepared in the autumn.
Landing algorithm

As soon as the hole is prepared for planting, soil is poured into it, into which the seedling is firmly installed. The root system must be evenly distributed in the hole and sprinkled with earth so that there are no voids left between the roots. Next, the soil around the young tree is thoroughly compacted and watered abundantly.

We organize competent care

To obtain a strong, strong tree that bears fruit abundantly, it is necessary to carry out a number of measures to care for it.

Feeding and watering

Cherries do not like excess moisture, so the tree is watered 4-5 times during the season. In particularly dry regions, watering is carried out more often, as needed. For active growth and abundant harvest, the fruit crop needs fertilizers and fertilizing, which must begin in the 2nd year of the plant’s life.

In the spring, cherries are fertilized with organic matter and nitrogen fertilizers, which help the plant recover from the winter period and promote development during the growing season. During abundant flowering, the tree needs phosphate and potassium fertilizers, which are usually combined with irrigation work.

Weeding and loosening the tree trunk circle

Caring for the tree trunk consists of thoroughly loosening the soil and mulching with dry grass or sawdust. Once every 3 years, the soil around the tree trunk is dug up and compost is added to it. Also, the tree trunk circle is completely cleared of weeds that interfere with the normal growth of the tree.
Shaping and trimming

Sanitary pruning is carried out in spring and autumn. Its goal is to free the tree from frozen, broken, dry and diseased branches. Formative pruning is done annually in the spring, while the buds have not yet swelled. Every year, the strongest and densest branches are selected, which will form the tiers of the plant. All other layers are cut off.

Timely pruning of cherries not only increases its fruiting, but also protects against the spread of diseases and pests.

Preventative treatment

Before the onset of the growing season, Lyubimitsa Astakhova cherries are sprayed with a urea solution or special preparations that can resist the spread of fungal diseases and destroy pest larvae.

Bark protection

After spring and autumn pruning, the trunk and bark of the tree are protected by whitewashing, which saves the plant from sunburn and the development of various putrefactive processes.

Preparing for winter

Before wintering, the tree is watered abundantly. This procedure provides additional protection to the root system from freezing.

Young trees are wrapped in burlap or any other materials that have a natural base and will not block oxygen access to the plant. In regions with frequent snowfall, a snowdrift is made around the plant, which protects the fruit crop from freezing.

Reviews from summer residents about the variety

Maria Vasilievna, Kaluga.

Four years ago I persuaded my husband to buy seedlings of Astakhov’s Lyubimitsa, and did not regret it for a day. The first harvest has already been harvested. The berries are tasty, juicy and sweet. We eat mostly fresh, but in the future I plan to make compotes and jams.

Egor Petrovich, Vladimir.

Several years ago, the nursery advised me to buy a new cherry variety, Lyubimitsa Astakhov. The yield is excellent, does not require special care, and is resistant to diseases.