It is difficult to find a summer cottage where at least one variety of cherries is not grown. The fruits of the tree are very healthy and incredibly tasty; a variety of dishes are prepared from them, added to compotes and stored for the winter. More than 10 years ago, the Anthracite variety was developed, which became very popular for growing cherries in Russian gardens.
Breeding history
The Anthracite cherry tree variety was developed thanks to the efforts of breeders G. B. Zhdanov, A. F. Kolesnikov, T. A. Trofimov of the All-Russian Research Institute.Orel more than 15 years ago, but received a registration number only in 2006. After being included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Fruit Crops, it began to gain popularity among gardeners in central Russia. It was obtained by free pollination of cherry seedlings of the Shirpotreb Chernaya variety, and was selected as the best option corresponding to the climatic conditions of central Russia.
Description of the variety
Anthracite refers to a species of common cherry (Prunus cerasus), of the genus Plum. Anthracite cherry is a partially self-fertile variety, from which a harvest can be obtained even if there is no pollinator. The Anthracite cherry tree is a low-growing plant that quickly grows up to 2 m. The root is powerful, deeply penetrating, and tolerates severe frosts well.
The crown is spreading, the branches are strong, flexible, and quickly become lignified, acquiring brown, shiny bark. Cone-shaped fruit buds form on raised annual branches. The bark of the tree is cracking, brownish-burgundy in color with longitudinal cracks.
The leaves are dark green, curved upward, ovoid, petiolate, pointed, shiny, up to 7 cm long, the veins are clearly visible below, the color is light green.
The fruits are formed on one or two year old branches, collected in inflorescences of 2-3 flowers, less often 4-5, flowering is abundant and fragrant. The flowers consist of 5 white petals, sepals, with one pistil and up to 20 stamens. After flowering, it forms green fruits that have an average ripening period (2-3rd decade of July), becoming dark burgundy, almost black. The shape of the fruit is heart-shaped, rounded below, the funnel is wide, located on a short stalk up to 1.1 cm.Exocarp (skin) - thin, dense, darker than the pulp (mesocarp), juicy, sweet and sour with an average sugar content of 11-11.5%, weighing 4-5 g. The stone is small, creamy yellow in color, weight from the fruit to 6 %, easily separated.
The berries of the described Anthracite cherry variety are classified as dessert species with high taste qualities with a score of more than 4 points.
Main characteristics
Cherry is partially self-pollinating, the flowers are bisexual, but for abundant fruiting, pollinating varieties Sklyanka, Shokoladnitsa, Lyubskaya, Nochka, Vladimirskaya, Shubinka, Griot Moskovsky and cherry varieties with an average flowering period are needed:
- Frost resistance of the root system down to -37 °C.
- Buds and young branches tolerate short-term night frosts well.
- The variety is drought-resistant and easily tolerates hot weather without watering.
- Productivity is high from 96 to 107 c/ha.
- Resistance to diseases and pests is average, so it is almost not used for cultivation on farms.
- The fruits have a long shelf life, do not crack, and are transportable.
The minimum distance for planting from the tree to be pollinated should be 25 m. For normal and rapid growth of the tree, soft, loose soil, black soil, sandy loam with a neutral acidity level is required.
Pros and cons of Anthracite Cherry
Anthracite cherries are often grown in individual gardens, as they have a significant disadvantage - average resistance to fungal diseases: coccomycosis, moniliosis. Anthracite cherry tree or shrubs are short-lived, up to 15-18 years.
A big plus of the variety is its high yield, good taste, which allows you to consume the berries not only fresh, but also to prepare confectionery, preserves, jams, compotes, and juices.
Ripening and fruiting of the variety
The fruits of the Anthracite variety ripen in the second half of July from the 15th to the 25th on bouquet branches and annual growths. Fruiting begins from 2-4 years after planting and depends on weather conditions and the region of growth. In the southern regions, ripening occurs in the first ten days, in the northern regions by the end of July.
Growing in regions
The Anthracite variety is recommended for the Central zone of Russia: Moscow, Bryansk, Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Ivanovo, Tver, Yaroslavl, Oryol, Kostroma, Vladimir, Kaluga, Tula regions, and is also suitable for cultivation in Siberia and the Urals. It has become widespread in the countries of the former Soviet Union: Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Estonia.
The appearance of Anthracite cherry is attractive, decorative, and can be used for breeding new varieties due to its qualities of rapid growth and scion survival, as well as for pollination. Bushes and trees have a convenient crown and height for picking berries.
