A summer resident dreams of pampering himself with delicious berries or preparing vitamin preparations in winter. But for this it is necessary to grow trees and shrubs. Among the wide variety of species there is Malyshka - a cherry that conquers gardeners. Its beneficial properties and positive characteristics are an obvious advantage when choosing.
Description of the variety
In order to properly grow a tree on a plot of land, it is necessary to study information about the species that the summer resident is going to plant. The description for the variety contains all the necessary information. Taking it into account will help you correctly place the cherry tree on the site and care for it as needed.
Initially, this cherry was nicknamed Saratov Baby; over time, only one word remained. The variety began to be called simply Malyshka.
This variety of cherry is a hybrid with sweet cherries. Therefore, among other characteristics, it also has excellent winter hardiness, excellent taste and high resistance to diseases.
Malyutka cherry is loved by summer residents for its undemanding nature in terms of soil composition and abundant harvest.
Characteristics of the variety
What properties does the plant have, what qualities do the fruits and the tree have. The summer resident needs this information in order to understand:
- is the variety suitable for cultivation in certain conditions and climate;
- does it satisfy all the requests that are presented to it?
The plant has the following characteristics:
- Height 2.5 m.
- Fast growing.
- The crown is compact, slightly spreading.
- The bark is smooth.
- The fruits are identical, weigh 5 g.
- The shape is round.
- The taste is sweet.
- The color is dark red.
- Taster rating: 4.4 points.
Growing the species on the site will help you appreciate all the characteristics of the variety.
Secrets of care
In order to grow the desired crop and avoid mistakes, you must adhere to certain rules for caring for plants. Properly prune the tree, prepare it for winter, and water it in a timely manner.
Trimming
Crown formation is a mandatory process when growing cherries. This improves productivity. You should start pruning branches from the 2nd year of the tree’s life.
Skeletal branches are formed, since the cherry tree is not tall, there is no need to limit growth. The first skeletal branch that needs to be left is located at a height of 40 cm from the ground. Select the strongest branch, then shorten it by 13.
Another strong branch is left a little higher.It should be directed in a different direction from the one left earlier. The distance between them is 15-20 cm, the selected branch is shortened by 13. Using the same principle, a third branch is left.
Next, the second tier is formed. It is located at a distance of 60-70 cm from the previous one. Since the Malyshka tree is not tall, the 2nd tier consists of 1 branch.
After 60-70 cm, the last branch is left. The rest are removed without leaving stumps. In subsequent years, skeletal branches are pruned using the same pattern.
In addition to formative pruning, sanitary pruning is carried out, deformed and diseased branches are removed.
Preparing for winter
The peculiarity of the Malyshka variety is its frost resistance. Cherries do not freeze in winter, but this does not mean that nothing needs to be done when preparing for winter:
- The trunk needs to be wrapped, eliminating attacks from rodents. To do this, it is wrapped with any available means, burlap, roofing felt or rags.
- Whitewashing the tree will save you from pests and pathogens. When preparing the solution, add 10 g of copper sulfate to a bucket of slaked lime.
- Feeding. During watering, complex mineral fertilizers are added for the last time. This will help the tree gain strength and easily endure the winter.
A tree that has wintered well will produce a rich harvest next year.
Watering
The fruiting of a tree depends on proper watering. Another feature of Malyshka is drought resistance. But this does not mean that it does not need to be watered; any plant needs moisture.
Cherry does not tolerate waterlogging and flooding.
Water moderately; in the first year after planting, moisten once a week. Watering ends in August. In case of prolonged drought, water also in September. An adult tree is watered 4 times, 3 buckets each.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that Baby is a hybrid, the tree still suffers from attacks from insects and pathogens.
Fighting methods
In order to cope with diseases, plants must be treated. In the spring, before flowering, trees are sprayed with special chemicals.
If the cherry tree is already blooming, then folk remedies are used to combat diseases. Insects are controlled by hanging traps with sweet baits.
Prevention
Sometimes it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat a tree. The following will help prevent the disease:
- Loosening the soil.
- Weed control.
- Cleaning up fallen leaves.
- Sanitary pruning.
- Covering cracks in the trunk.
- Cleaning up fallen fruits.
Compliance with planting rules and fulfillment of agrotechnical requirements leads to the fact that cherries are more resistant to diseases and resist insect attacks.
Cherry Malyshka has proven itself well among summer residents with small garden plots.
