Description of the Ovstuzhenka cherry variety, cultivation and care, collection and storage of berries

Cherry is a popular tree in the CIS countries that produces sweet fruits. It is grown in almost every garden. The Ovstuzhenka variety of cherry produces large berries, is frost-resistant, and has an excellent taste. The variety is a leader among its peers. The tree is grown even in the northern regions of the Russian Federation. In order to safely plant Ovstuzhenka, you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances of caring for it and the description.

Description and characteristics of Ovstuzhenka cherries

The legendary cherry variety Ovstuzhenka was created for breeding in the middle climatic zone of Russia by breeder V. Kanyshina in 2001. The variety combines a number of valuable qualities: fertility, frost resistance, rich taste. The trees grow small, up to 3 meters high, and produce large fruits.

In the first five years they gain height and grow quickly. Afterwards, they begin to bear fruit. The variety has a thick, spherical crown, which makes it convenient to harvest. The leaf looks like an egg, pointed towards the top, with teeth. Ripe fruits are almost black and weigh about 7 grams. Berries have these characteristics.

The variety tolerates frosts well down to -45, but it needs to be protected from the wind, it loves the sun. The berries have tonic properties and can be consumed in any form. The variety is easy to care for and is popular among inexperienced gardeners. Sweet cherries require timely watering, approximately 15 liters per tree. Flowering occurs in mid-May, and fruits ripen by mid-June. In the Trans-Ural region, the harvest is harvested 1 month later.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cherries are famous for a lot of good qualities, but there are also negative aspects. Familiarization with them will help you decide on the choice of variety.

Growing a tree

Cherries should be grown in soil rich in clay or sand. You cannot plant it on peat, clay or sandy soil. When selecting sandy soil, pour several buckets of clay at the bottom of the hole, and if the soil is clay, add 2 buckets of sand.

Choosing a place and time of landing

The cherry variety prefers to grow in a place where the north wind does not blow and the sun's rays constantly shine. The tree should be planted on a southwestern or southern slope. It is better to give preference to a low elevation, or do it yourself: raise the ground level by half a meter. The location should have a low groundwater level, and its depth should be 1.5 meters.

In warm areas, plant the tree in the fall to allow it to take root. In the Moscow region, spring planting is more suitable. From mid to late April, prepare the site and place the seedlings. The soil should have time to warm up by then. If we are talking about autumn planting, it occurs in mid-October. The earth is not dry from the heat, but is still warm.

Selection of seedlings

It is important to choose planting material wisely. Experienced gardeners advise buying seedlings from a nursery. It should have a central conductor and a large number of sprouts. It is worth purchasing planting material that is 1 or 2 years old. Only a correctly selected seedling will form the required crown, which will contribute to branching.

In the absence of a guide, the shoot will break under the weight of the fruit. The tree must have a grafting site, which serves as an indicator of the variety.

Planting process

Plant cherries at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from each tree to ensure successful rooting.One is 12 square meters or more.

If planting takes place in the spring, it is necessary to prepare the site in the fall:

• dig holes 0.8 meters wide and 1 m deep;
• pour a mixture of 1 kilogram of wood ash, superphosphate, a bucket of soil, 1 kilogram of potassium sulfate, 30 kilograms of rotted manure into the recesses by a third.

When carrying out such preparation, seedlings are planted immediately. If the process is planned for the fall, two weeks of preparation is required.

Pollinators

The variety is self-fertile; ovaries grow from 10% of flowers, even in the absence of a pollinator nearby. To ensure a large harvest, you need to plant trees that bloom early next to large-fruited cherries. There should be a distance of 2.5-3 meters between them.

Preferred pollinators for the Ovstuzhenka cherry variety:

• And the way;
• Bryansk pink;
• Raditsa;
• Red hill.

If there is no free space on the plot, you can graft several rows of varieties onto one tree.

Nuances of tree care

Caring for Ovstuzhenka cherries is simple, the main thing is to do it correctly.

1. Water the tree in a timely manner and treat it against pests and diseases.
2. Feed cherries with high-quality fertilizers.
3. Trim, shape the crown.
4. In the tree trunk circle, periodically weed the weeds. It takes away useful substances, inhibiting the process of growth and maturation.
5. After watering or precipitation, loosen the soil so that it is saturated with oxygen. Due to this, the rhizome will quickly absorb moisture and beneficial microelements.

Even a novice gardener can cope with the above care. The cherry variety is great for summer residents because it does not require daily supervision.

Watering

Cherries should be watered on time, since the variety is moisture-loving.Requires 15 to 20 liters per tree. After sanitization, loosen the soil next to the trunk to a depth of no more than 10 centimeters. The procedure can also be carried out after rains. It is not worth watering in July and August, as this will reduce resistance to frost and the tree will begin to form shoots more slowly.

When to water a tree:

• in May, when active growth is observed;
• in June, when the berries are formed;
• from October to November, before preparing for wintering.

Before cold weather, water the cherries with 70 liters of water. This will help her get through the winter safely, preventing freezing.

Pruning and crown formation

Crown formation takes about 5 years. During this period, 4 tiers are obtained, which consist of strong, healthy shoots. Every year, cut out dry, broken, old branches. Leave 0.5 meters between tiers. Prune cherries in autumn or spring, when there is no active sap flow. Treat the cut areas with garden varnish.

Preventative treatment

The Ovstuzhenka cherry is famous for its high immunity to coccomycosis and moniliosis. Despite this, it is better to play it safe and protect the berries from diseases. To prevent the tree from being attacked by pests and diseases, the trunk should be treated with a whitewash mixture. It is better to buy it in a specialized store. Experienced gardeners can prepare whitewash themselves.

The following materials will be required:

• 2 kg chalk;
• 10 g casein glue;
• 500 g of copper sulfate;
• 10 liters of water.

Combine all components and stir. Carry out the procedure in the fall, before frost.

Top dressing

The tree does not require fertilizer in the first year of life, since it is still in the active growth phase. Afterwards, add urea in diluted or dry form.

Having chosen a feeding method, you need to carry out the procedure in a timely manner.

1. After 4 years, fertilize again with urea. Do the manipulation from March to April. At the location of the crown, dig grooves 30 centimeters wide and deep. Pour 200 grams of superphosphate into the recesses.
2. After 5 years, fruiting begins. In spring, feed the berries with 300 grams of urea. In the fall, add 250 grams of potassium salt and 400 grams of superphosphate to the soil.

Once every 2 years from the start of fruiting, when the trunk part is dug up, fertilize with 50 kilograms of compost.

Protection from cold and rodents

Sweet cherries can withstand extreme frosts, but it is better to prepare them for cold weather. This is done as follows.

1. Coat the trunk area and skeletal branches with whitewash.
2. Measure out an area around the tree that will correspond to the width of the crown, and mulch with a 20-centimeter layer of sawdust and peat.

For young cherries, wrap the branches and stem part with paper or burlap.

Principles of protecting wood from rodents.

1. Experienced gardeners advise treating with fungicides and insecticides against rodents. To do this, purchase “Urea”, “Karbofos”, “Inta-vir”.
2. These are ready-made products that perfectly protect the tree from attacks by rodents and beetles. They are also suitable for use in the treatment of cherries.

Pest control can be carried out 1-2 times a year.

Collection and storage of berries

From each tree you can collect up to 30 kilograms of berries. When picking fruits, it is better not to separate them from the stalk, then they will last longer.To increase shelf life, sort the berries after picking. Then put the selected cherries in the refrigerator and can be stored for 5-6 days.

The variety is perfect for business, since the tree produces a large number of berries. They withstand transportation safely and do not rot for a long time. For summer residents, Ovstuzhenka cherries are also a good choice. Compotes, desserts, preserves, jams, and juices are prepared from its fruits.