Description and characteristics of the Veda cherry variety, cultivation and care

Veda cherry is well known in gardening circles as a fast-growing and winter-hardy crop. It is part of the group of new varieties with a high degree of frost resistance; it was included in the State Register in 2009. Thanks to the late flowering period, the risk of freezing of its fruit buds is reduced to almost zero. To grow a healthy and abundantly fruiting plant, you need to know its strengths and weaknesses, the main points of planting and care.

The history of the origin of Veda cherries

This rather promising variety was bred at the V.R. Williams Federal Scientific Center. Cherry Veda is a product of domestic selection, it was obtained thanks to the efforts of M.V. Kanshiny, A.A. Astakhov and L.I. Zueva. The fruit crop was accepted for state testing in 2007.

Advantages and disadvantages: is it worth planting on the site?

Among the positive characteristics of Veda cherries, experienced gardeners highlight:

• excellent consumer and product qualities;
• high degree of resistance to adverse environmental factors;
• frost resistance (up to -30 degrees);
• friendly ripening of fruits;
• fruit buds do not freeze;
• the degree of survival in a permanent place is excellent;
• relative unpretentiousness to growing conditions;
• possibility of cultivation in regions with cold climates.

But when growing this fruit crop, some disadvantages were noticed:

• the need for pollinating plants;
• drought resistance is average;
• protection from diseases and parasitic individuals is needed;
• long period of entry into fruiting.

Varietal description

Veda cherry, although it is a heat-loving plant, can grow normally and bear fruit abundantly in the Central region of Russia, such areas as the Vladimirovsk, Bryansk, Kaluga, and Moscow regions.Veda cherries are also actively grown in the Ryazan, Tula and Smolensk regions.

Tree crown height and size

The height of the Veda cherry does not exceed 2.5 meters, the growth rate is characterized as quite fast. The spreading dense crown has a rounded shape, the main branches are located at right angles. The color of the straight shoots is olive-gray, there is no pubescence on them.

The leaf blades are ovoid in shape, with small denticles along the edges. The surface of the leaf is smooth, without roughness, with a pointed tip. The length of the thick petiole is average. Inflorescences are formed from large white flowers, their number in each is 3 pieces.

Cherry Veda also attracts the attention of gardeners with its large fruits. Their weight is 5.1 grams, heart-shaped. The color is dark red, there are subtle subcutaneous dots. Tender skin and incredibly tasty pulp are the hallmark of the variety.

Cherry Veda was rated by tasters at 4.6 points. Its sugar content is 11.5%, acidity is 0.7%, dry matter is almost 18%.

Pollinators, flowering and fruiting

Considering the fact that the Veda cherry is a self-sterile plant, it needs additional varieties in the garden to obtain a bountiful harvest. Closest neighbors with similar flowering periods should be planted at a distance of up to 5 meters. Alternatively, you can graft several other varieties onto the cherry and the result will be equally high. For better pollination, it is recommended to apply surface treatment with honey dissolved in water; thanks to this technique, it will be possible to attract beneficial insects.

The best pollination rates were obtained when planting close to Veda Leningradskaya black cherries, Tyutchevki, Revny, Bryanochki, Iput.This variety enters the fruiting phase in the 4th year after being assigned to a permanent place. The fruits mature in late July.

Productivity indicators for Veda cherries reach 40 kilograms per planting.

Transportability and use of cherry berries

Veda cherry fruits have good shelf life and are not afraid of transportation over long distances. Their skin is not susceptible to cracking even in conditions of frequent rain. The taste is very sweet, pleasant, pronounced aroma.

The Veda cherry harvest is suitable for preparing culinary masterpieces, homemade preparations, and for fresh consumption. The variety stands out for the universal purpose of its fruits. In addition, cherries are suitable for freezing and baking.

Culture propagation

To grow Veda cherries, you can use one of several methods:

• In shoots where only strong young seedlings are used, it is better if they are biennial shoots. They should be located as far as possible from the mother plant. From summer to autumn, such specimens grow, form a root system, after which they are separated and planted in a prepared place.
• Green cuttings. Branches from the lower tier are suitable for this method; they should have up to five leaves. The cut is made at an angle using a sharp and disinfected instrument. For better rooting, the lower leaf plates are completely removed. The blanks are placed in the stimulant solution for 24 hours. After that, cuttings are planted in a soil mixture of peat and sand and covered with film on the frame to create a greenhouse effect.
• Air layering. On a selected fruit-bearing branch, you need to make a few cuts, wrap it with polyethylene with soil and regularly moisten it.After some time, roots will appear, after which the branch is cut off and planted in a permanent place.

Characteristics

Veda cherry has its own distinctive features: it is able to withstand short-term lack of moisture and tolerate low temperatures.

Frost and drought resistance

Fruit crops react painfully to prolonged dry weather, especially at the stage of flowering and ripening of the crop. Carrying out irrigation activities is one of the important points when caring for a plant. For the variety, negative temperatures are not scary; it has a sufficient degree of winter hardiness.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Cherry Veda has increased immunity to such major diseases as moniliosis and coccomycosis. But against gray rot, gum disease, clasterosporiasis and powdery mildew, preventive measures are required using special agents such as Bordeaux mixture 1%.

Among the harmful insects, Veda cherries are often attacked by cherry flies, weevils and small aphids. Aktara and Actellik are effectively used against them.

Nuances of planting crops

In order to initially create favorable conditions for growth for Veda cherries, it is necessary to adhere to the basic recommendations regarding planting seedlings in a permanent place.

Recommended timing

The optimal time for planting in regions with a warm climate is autumn, one month before the onset of cold weather. But it is recommended to plant seedlings in the middle zone in the spring, when the snow melts. The main thing is to catch it before the buds open.

Deciding on a place

To plant Veda cherries, you should choose clearings with good lighting - on the south side of the garden.Since the plant does not like excessive moisture in the soil, the depth of groundwater should be at least two meters. You should also avoid low-lying areas where cold air concentrates.

For fruit crops, loamy and sandy loam soil is preferable. It is not advisable to plant the variety in soil with a high content of clay, sand or peat.

What you can and cannot plant next to cherries

It is more effective to place cherries near other varieties of cherries. But next to apple trees, pears and other tall plants, they should be planted only at a distance of 4-5 meters. It is not advisable to choose a place to plant Veda near hazel trees, raspberries, currants, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes.

Preparing the seedling and planting hole

It is recommended to use one- or two-year-old seedlings of the variety as planting material. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the condition of the root system; there should be no signs of rot, signs of disease, or various types of damage. Before planting, the roots of the Veda cherry should be kept in a container with water for two hours, and the leaves should be removed.

Preparatory activities include digging up the soil, removing weeds and forming a hole 60x80 centimeters. They are carried out 3 weeks before the disembarkation date. The soil mixture is prepared from the extracted soil and 1 bucket of humus, double superphosphate (150 grams), potassium sulfate (50 grams) or ash (400 grams).

Landing algorithm

Veda technology for planting cherry seedlings involves performing the following actions:

1. Laying a drainage cushion 7-10 centimeters thick made of expanded clay, broken bricks, and pebbles into the hole.
2. Fill the hole with soil another 15-20 centimeters.
3. Place the plant in the center of the pit and straighten its roots.
4. Sprinkling with the remaining fertile substrate and compacting to avoid the formation of voids.
5. Forming a groove around the seedling and abundant watering.

To preserve moisture in the soil, the soil in the tree trunk circle is mulched with straw, humus, and grass.

How to organize proper care for the variety

Among the main measures for caring for Veda cherries are: irrigation, loosening the soil, removing weeds, feeding procedures and pruning.

Regularity of watering

Young Veda cherry trees require irrigation once a week, where 30 liters of water are used per plant. For mature trees that are already bearing fruit, watering is carried out 3 times during the season:

• at the green cone stage;
• during the formation of ovaries;
• upon completion of the fruiting phase.

One plant uses 5 buckets of water. If the summer turns out to be dry, then irrigation activities are carried out more often. Before wintering, Veda cherry requires abundant watering, taking into account 70 liters per plant.

Fertilizer application

The first feeding procedure is carried out in the spring, when the snow has melted, using mullein infusion or urea. Such compositions contain a high concentration of nitrogen, which is so necessary for the formation of new shoots. At the end of the flowering phase on the Veda cherry, add superphosphate and potassium salt, using 40 grams of each product per 10 liters of water. It is especially good to combine fertilizing with soil moisture.

Formative pruning

Veda cherries should be pruned every year to maintain a tiered, sparse form. Thanks to such actions, it is possible to increase plant productivity and reduce the risk of harmful insects and various ailments.Each tier should have three strong shoots, and incapacitated ones should be disposed of. The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn.

Disease Prevention

To prevent the progression of fungal diseases such as moniliosis, clasterosporiosis and coccomycosis, treatment is carried out with a solution of copper oxychloride, Hom or Horus. The main thing is that you should not use strong chemicals 20 days before harvesting.

Protection from insects and parasites

To combat aphids, cherry flies and codling moths on Veda cherries, use Iskra, Actellik, and Karbofos. In autumn, it is imperative to dispose of fallen leaves and dig up the soil.

Reviews about the variety

Among gardening enthusiasts, reviews of Veda cherries are predominantly positive. The crop is valued for its sufficient frost resistance and productivity. It does not require a special approach to care, and it bears fruit consistently and abundantly.

Viktor Pavlovich 62 years old:

I have known Veda cherries for decades; they have always pleased us with their fruits and ease of care. I have never frozen in winter; I recommend this variety to everyone for its ease of cultivation and good yields.

Sveta is 41 years old:

The first time I learned about Veda cherries was from my husband’s parents, they are avid gardeners. Later, we planted this variety of cherries on our plot; at first it didn’t bear fruit for a long time, but then, when the time came, they didn’t know what to do with the cherries. Excellent variety.