Planting a fruit tree on a plot of land is not done thoughtlessly. Every gardener is aware of this, so he takes the choice of species very seriously. By studying the characteristics of Kent cherry, the summer resident decides whether the variety is suitable for his family or not.
Description of the variety
To properly position the tree on the site and properly care for it, the gardener is looking for a detailed description of the variety. Based on the information received, further action planning occurs.
The Kent cherry variety was created in Britain in 1947; it was not particularly widespread in Russia. But many gardeners have heard of the hybrid. The tree is famous for its productivity and resistance to adverse weather conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages
The positive and negative characteristics of the Kent cherry are determined by the gardener himself after planting.
Pros:
- early ripening;
- abundance of fruits;
- versatility of application;
- high taste characteristics;
- low maintenance requirements;
- average immunity to diseases.
Minuses:
- low level of winter hardiness;
- Fruiting of a young seedling begins at 5-6 years;
- Over the years, the fruits become smaller.
There are characteristics that gardeners do not consider as disadvantages or advantages. Therefore, a summer resident will be able to fully appreciate the tree only during the growing process.
Characteristics of the tree and fruits
The peculiarity of the Kent cherry variety is that its crown changes over the years. At first it grows pyramidally, then becomes rounded. The branches are powerful, slightly drooping.
Blooms 10 days earlier Lyubskaya cherries.
Flowers are white, collected in bouquets. Old branches are dark brown, young shoots are lighter.
Fruits every year, regardless of weather conditions. Only the volume of the harvest changes. If all agricultural techniques are followed, up to 40 kg can be harvested from 1 tree.
The hybrid's berries are excellent and suitable for any method of harvesting for the winter. In particularly harsh winters it can freeze, so it needs additional shelter.
Fruit characteristics:
- weight 3 g;
- round shape;
- color dark red;
- the flesh is tender;
- taste is standard;
- short shelf life;
- transports well.
Due to its instability to frost, the variety is grown only in the southern and central regions of Russia.
Features of cultivation
Planted in the spring, the holes are prepared in advance. The trees are located at a distance of 3-3.5 m. When planting a seedling, monitor the root collar; it should be above the ground surface.
Under no circumstances should the roots of the seedling be cut; the more there are, the faster the cherry will be accepted. The soil for planting the tree is mixed with mineral fertilizers, humus or humus.
Water generously, being careful not to wash out the roots. Install a support for a fragile tree.
Care
The volume of the harvest depends on proper care. The efforts of the summer resident are justified in subsequent years. Carrying out standard agrotechnical requirements increases productivity:
- Watering. Carried out once every 10-15 days depending on weather conditions. Subsequently, watering is reduced and the volume of water per tree is increased.
- Loosening the tree trunk circle. After each watering, the soil is loosened. This helps retain moisture and provides oxygen to the root system.
- Trimming. Two types, sanitary and formative. Remove diseased, deformed and dry branches.
- Feeding. During flowering, ripening and in the fall, when preparing the tree for winter, it is recommended to feed cherries.
- Removing overgrowth. Young shoots interfere with the development of the mother plant and are recommended to be removed.
A summer resident will not regret planting a Kent cherry tree on his property; it requires virtually no care. The harvest is stable and the fruits are tasty.
