Description and characteristics of the Odrinka cherry variety, planting and care

The Odrinka variety of cherries is loved not only by summer residents, but also by professional gardeners. It is characterized by increased frost resistance, drought resistance and decent fruit qualities. The plant has been successfully grown in gardens for about a century. During this time, cherries expanded their habitat, stood the test of time and did not lose popularity.

How the variety was bred

Initially, Odrinka was grown as a southern tree. In the 19th century, the famous breeder I.V. Michurin thought about moving cherries to more severe climatic conditions. However, his experiments were not successful. But after some time, the idea was realized by the scientist F.K. Teterev, who lives in Leningrad. He took as a basis the varieties Zorka and Krasnaya dense, as a result of working with which the modern Odrinka was obtained. It entered the State Register in 2004. The variety is suitable for growing in the middle zone climate.

Photo and description

Photos and a brief description of Odrinka give a brief idea not only of the tree itself, but also of the berries, their taste characteristics, and also allow you to formulate the main advantages and disadvantages of cherries.

general description

Odrinka is grown in all regions except the north. A tree of medium height with a compact, not dense crown. Small flowers are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. Harvest ripening time is late. It begins to bear fruit 5 years after planting the seedling. Sweet cherries require planting a pollinating variety nearby.

Advantages

Thanks to its merits, Odrinka has won the love of gardeners and does not lose popularity. Its advantages include:

• resistance to pathogens;
• increased resistance to fungal diseases;
• stable fruiting;
• increased frost resistance;
• suitability for cultivation in the middle zone.

Flaws

Cherries have no significant disadvantages. Gardeners highlight only the small size and weight of the berries, which makes them almost unsuitable for wholesale or retail trade.

Bud

Odrinka's kidneys are small, shaped like a cone. They tolerate returning spring frosts and earlier autumn cold snaps.

Leaf and flower

The leaves of the cherry are of the generative type, ovoid, small in size, deflected towards the branch. The inflorescence contains a maximum of 4 small flowers. The corolla is shaped like a saucer, the petals are white.

Fetus

The fruits have specific characteristics that distinguish them from other similar varieties.

Weight

Odrinka cherries reach a weight of 5 g, the maximum is 7 g.

Height

The fruit height of the Odrinka variety is about 2.5 cm.

Width

Cherries grow up to 2.4 cm in width.

Thickness

Up to 6% of the total volume is allocated to the stone in Odrinka fruits, the rest is pulp.

Color

When ripened, cherries acquire a beautiful purple color and their juice is red.

peduncle

Odrinka's peduncle is small, divided into 2 glands.

Bone

The seed in the fruit is small, takes up no more than 6% of the volume, and is easily separated from the juicy pulp.

general characteristics

The variety is a late ripening variety; flowering also occurs late. Cherries are self-sterile, so they need pollinating varieties nearby. The ovary is formed on bouquet branches.

Taste qualities

Tasters rated the taste of Odrinka at 4.7 points.

Nutrient content

Odrinka fruits contain:

• dry matter - 17.5%;
• sugars - 11.2%;
• acids - 0.43%;
• ascorbic acid - 15 mg/100 g.

The fruits also contain a supply of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B3, B9, C, E, P. The composition of cherries includes minerals:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• chlorine;
• sulfur;
• zinc;
• copper.

Tree height and growth rate

Odrinka's tree growth rate is average. Its maximum height reaches 3-4 m. The crown is not too thick, pyramidal.

Flowering and ripening period

Odrinka is a late cherry variety; its flowering also occurs late, when other varieties are already beginning to form ovaries. The buds are collected several times in inflorescences, the petals are painted white.

Productivity

On average, up to 77 kg/ha of ripe fruits are harvested from an adult Odrinka tree. Record yields were 221 c/ha, subject to compliance with the rules of agricultural technology.

Transportability

The dense pulp and durable skin make it easy to transport the harvested cherries over long distances and even store them for some time.

Drought resistance

Odrinka has good drought resistance, its roots go deep into the soil and do not experience moisture deficiency. Watering the tree is carried out according to the standard scheme for this crop. Stagnation of water is unacceptable.

Frost resistance

A distinctive feature of this cherry variety is its high cold resistance. There are almost no frost holes on the trunk. The tree may freeze when the temperature drops below -29 °C. In this case, up to 15% of flower buds are lost.But spring return frosts cause much more damage, reducing yields by up to 30%.

Disease resistance

The risk of Odrinka being affected by diseases is minimal. It has increased resistance to such ailments:

• cleasterosporiasis;
• coccomycosis;
• moniliosis.

In conditions of high humidity, the likelihood of developing fungal infections increases, and timely preventive treatments are required for Odrinka cherries.

Application of fruits

The cherry harvest is suitable for all types of processing, both for personal purposes and on an industrial scale. Due to their small size, the fruits are rarely sold whole, although they have an excellent taste.

Basic soil requirements

Loose loamy or sandy loam soil is ideal for growing Odrinka. Sandy soil, peat bog or wetlands are not suitable for cultivating cherries. If the soil is depleted, it is recommended to apply fertilizers in advance.

Landing Features

Planting Odrinka has its own characteristics, on which the health of the tree itself, as well as the quality and quantity of the future harvest, depends.

Selection of seedlings

It is preferable to purchase cherry seedlings from trusted places and nurseries. For planting on the site, preference is given to trees with a height of 0.8-1.2 m. Young cherries should not have mechanical damage, broken branches, signs of disease, blackened areas, or mold.

Root system

The roots of Odrinka seedlings should be well developed and not overdried. Mechanical damage and mold are not allowed.

Trunk

For planting in the garden, select a cherry seedling with a main conductor thickness of about 15 mm. Its bark should not have deformations, stains or scratches.Before purchasing, it is advisable to rub the barrel at the bottom with a damp cloth. If darkening becomes noticeable, then it is better to refuse to purchase such a plant.

Age

Cherries that take root best are those that are 1-2 years old at the time of planting.

Availability of vaccinations

The final characteristics of the cherry largely depend on which rootstock is grafted onto. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the description of the fruit, but also to the height of the tree, the spreading nature of the crown, frost resistance and care features.

Choosing a landing time

Cherries are planted both in spring and autumn. The tree must have time to take root before the onset of persistent cold weather, so planting is completed in early October. In the spring, it is preferable to manage before the buds begin to bloom, that is, until the middle or end of April.

Site selection

Cherries are planted in a well-lit area protected from drafts. Odrinka should not compete with neighbors for nutrients and moisture, therefore it is advisable to remove it from apple trees, plums, pears and other fruit plants.

It is preferable to plant on the western or southern side of the site. The groundwater level should not be closer than 2 m to the soil surface.

Pit preparation

It is preferable to dig a planting hole for cherries a couple of months before the planned planting. The hole is prepared for spring planting in the fall. During this time, the soil should shrink. If necessary, fertilizers for young cherries are immediately added there so that they have time to decompose and rot over the winter.

The size of the hole is 70 x 70 cm and its depth is about 0.8 m.Just before planting, Odrinka forms a small mound of fertile soil mixture at the bottom, on which the young plant is placed, the root system is carefully straightened and covered with soil. After this, the cherries are watered abundantly and the circle around the trunk is mulched.

Planting scheme

The distance between Odrinka and neighboring fruit trees or shrubs should be at least 3.5-4 m.

Pollinators

Pollinators must be planted near this cherry variety in order to obtain a stable and full harvest of healthy berries. The best of them are those that have similar flowering periods.

Revna

The tree is small, the crown shape is pyramidal. Refers to self-fertile varieties of cherries with high yields. The fruits are small in size, but very sweet, aromatic, and tasty. Revna is highly frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures down to -6 °C even during the flowering period. The harvested crop retains its quality for a long time and is suitable for transportation over long distances.

Gift for Stepanov

Medium-sized tree with a pyramidal crown. It is resistant to adverse weather conditions. Cherry fruits are medium-sized, heart-shaped, and become dark red when ripe. Taste qualities were rated by tasters at 4.9 points out of a possible 5.

The harvest is suitable for transportation and short-term storage, and is used for all types of processing. Cherry itself is characterized by increased drought and frost resistance.

Rechitsa

This variety belongs to the bigarro group. It is characterized by high cold resistance and the ability to grow in harsh climates. Cherry fruits are small, dark red in color and very sweet in taste.Has increased resistance to common diseases.

Tyutchevka

The medium-sized tree is characterized by very high cold resistance and immunity to disease. Produces a bountiful harvest of medium-sized, bright red cherries. The harvested crop is suitable for freezing, processing, and transportation over long distances. The variety is considered partially self-pollinating.

Secrets of care

A bountiful harvest with the desired product and taste characteristics can only be obtained if Odrinka cherries are provided with proper care.

Watering

Sweet cherries require regular watering during flowering and ovary formation. But in the summer, they try to reduce the amount of irrigation so that the ripening crop does not crack and retains its quality longer.

Top dressing

Feeding the plant should begin in the third year of life. In the spring, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are applied, and after the cherry flowering period ends, superphosphate and potassium salt are added. Proponents of healthy farming can use organic fertilizers that contain similar nutrients.

Slurry

Slurry contains a lot of potassium and nitrogen, but there is very little phosphorus. Fertilizer consists primarily of animal urine and can also be formed from the decomposition of manure. It should be applied directly to the circle around the cherry tree, but it is not necessary to dilute it with water.

To prevent the loss of readily mobile nitrogen, it is recommended to add a little superphosphate.

Complex fertilizer

To feed cherries, complex fertilizers are actively used, for example, nitrophoska or azofoska.It is preferable to introduce them into the circle around the trunk in the fall, so that by spring the nitrogen has time to decompose and does not harm the roots. You can also prepare nutrient mixtures for feeding yourself using several useful ingredients. In the autumn, they try to add less nitrogen so as not to provoke premature shoot growth.

Ash

Wood ash contains components necessary for cherries, such as calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium, as well as other substances that contribute to the normal growth and development of the tree. In addition, such fertilizing helps fight pests and pathogens. Ash must be brought into the circle around the trunk. It is advisable to do this in the spring, but some gardeners also practice autumn feeding.

Urea

Urea belongs to organic fertilizers and contains up to 46% nitrogen. To fertilize cherries, 20-30 g of the substance is dissolved in 10 liters of water and poured into the circle around the trunk. The work is carried out a week after the end of the flowering period.

Trimming

Proper tree pruning not only increases yields, but also reduces the risk of diseases on the cherry tree. They try to form a sparsely tiered type of crown. In each tier, up to 4 strong shoots are left, located at an obtuse angle to the main conductor. The distance between tiers is 50 cm. All shoots that have signs of disease, mechanical damage, as well as broken, dried or frozen shoots must be removed.

Preparing for winter

In order for the Odrinka cherry to withstand the harsh winter more easily, it must be properly prepared. If autumn turns out to be dry, then the soil in the tree trunk circle is watered abundantly so that it freezes more slowly.Such measures help protect the root system from freezing. It is advisable to mulch the soil around the trunk with peat or humus, laying a layer 15 cm thick. For a young plant, build a frame and throw agrofibre or burlap over it. In winter, the trunk of the cherry tree often becomes a delicacy for hares and small rodents.

For protection, it is wrapped in metal mesh or roofing felt.

Diseases and pests

Odrinka cherry is highly resistant to diseases and the negative effects of pests, however, under unfavorable conditions, the risk of damage by them increases, and the plant requires additional protection.

Clusterosporiasis

Clusterosporiasis is a dangerous fungal disease that can affect all stone fruit plants. Cherry was no exception. Almost all above-ground parts of the tree are affected. A sign of infection is the appearance on the shoots of orange or red spots with a black or brown border. After some time, the spots increase in size and then completely crack. A thick, resinous substance begins to ooze from the wounds. Sometimes the disease even affects fruits and leaves.

To combat fungal diseases, Bordeaux mixture is used, which is considered perhaps the most effective and time-tested remedy. A preventive measure is also the treatment of trees with iron sulfate, the preparation “Kaptan”, “Horus”, “Zineb”.

Moniliosis

This fungal disease not only reduces yields, but can also lead to the death of cherries. Moniliosis affects such parts as:

• inflorescences;
• fruit;
• ovaries;
• branches.

Cherry flowers and leaves look like they are dehydrated, and over time they completely fall off.For the purpose of prevention, Odrinka is treated with copper-containing preparations, for example, Mikosan-V or Horus. The causative agent of the disease does not tolerate low winter temperatures. Whitewashes with the addition of copper sulfate also have a detrimental effect on it.

Black cherry aphid

Black cherry aphids attack trees from spring to autumn and cause significant damage to the crop. It accumulates mainly on the underside of the cherry leaf blade. As a result of the pest's influence, the leaves curl and fall off. A weakened tree has a hard time withstanding the winter, and the risk of contracting serious diseases increases significantly.

To combat black aphids on Odrinka, drugs such as Iskra, Fitoverm or Komandor are used. For prevention purposes, marigolds, horseradish, tobacco and other plants with a strong aroma are planted nearby.

Leafrollers

The leaf roller is one of the most dangerous pests, capable of significantly reducing cherry yields in a short period of time. The greatest danger is posed by the larvae that feed on plant sap.

A sign of damage is that the leaves curl into a tube. When they are deployed in the middle, you can find a cobweb.

They fight the leaf roller by treating with the drugs “Lepidotsid”, “Dendrobacillin”, “Atom”, “Karbofos”, “Accord”, “Fastak”. Among the effective folk remedies are a decoction of wormwood, an infusion of tobacco, a decoction of tomato tops, and an infusion of potato tops.

Cherry pipe maker

The voracious bug is capable of destroying up to 50% of the Odrinka cherry crop. The pipe roller spends the winter in the soil, so it is especially important to dig up the soil near the trunk before the onset of cold weather.In case of severe damage, they resort to the use of insecticides. Not only adult individuals are dangerous, but also insect larvae, which eat away the stamens and tiny buds, and also eat the newly formed ovary.

Treatment in spring

Spring treatment of Odrinka is carried out with the aim of preventing diseases and the spread of pests. Work begins as soon as the air warms up a little and the snow begins to melt. Cherries are sprayed with a urea solution or a special preparation “Nitrafen” is used. Do not allow it to get on the plant buds. To prevent pests, insecticidal agents “Confidor” and “Aktellik” are used. The cherry tree trunk must be cleaned and then whitened.

Harvest and storage

The Odrinka cherry harvest occurs in June or early July. The timing may vary depending on the growing region. Collected fruits are difficult to keep fresh for a long time, so they are used mainly for processing. If you place them in a container and put them in the refrigerator, you will be able to preserve the cherries for about 3-5 days.

Reviews

Gardeners managed to experience the advantages and disadvantages of Odrinka from personal experience. Many of them willingly share their impressions. Anna Dmitrievna, amateur gardener: “I’ve been dreaming about cherries in my garden for a long time. Studying the characteristics of the varieties, I chose Odrinka and Revna. I waited several years for the first harvest, but Odrinka exceeded all my expectations. The whole family liked the beautiful and sweet fruits. The variety is late, so to protect against pests I regularly carry out preventive spraying.”

Maxim Ivanovich, a novice gardener: “I planted Odrinka in my garden as a pollinator for another famous cherry variety.It began to bear fruit only in the 4th year after planting. The quality of the fruit was very surprising: beautiful, juicy, sweet and dense. All the effort put into caring for the tree was completely worth it.”

Marina Sergeevna, summer resident: “I planted 2 late varieties of cherries on my plot, one of which is Odrinka. The description of the variety promised good frost resistance, and for my climate this is very important. It must be admitted that the cherry fully corresponds to its declared characteristics. True, the fruits turned out to be small in size, but their taste pleased me and compensated for this small drawback.”