The dream of many gardeners is to have tasty and fruitful cherries in their garden plot with high quality fruits, resistant to frost and disease, and consistently bearing fruit every season. These are the qualities of the Octava cherry variety. This variety differs from others in its early flowering and fruit ripening, abundant harvest and excellent taste.
Origin story
Octave was bred in 1986 by Bryansk agricultural scientists through selective crossing. Breeders developed markers for various varieties and developed new ones, which were further analyzed according to the required indicators.The selection process continued until the desired result was achieved, until Octave was obtained - a cherry that satisfied the specified properties.
Description of the variety
Trees of this variety reach medium size and are distinguished by a compact, rounded crown with small, slightly pointed leaves with a matte surface.
The Octave cherry begins to bear fruit four years after planting, forming inflorescences of five to six flowers, which, with proper care, turn into fragrant and juicy fruits.
The description of the variety is as follows:
- pollination – partially self-fertile;
- ripening – precocious;
- yield - forty kilograms per tree;
- berries – juicy, dark cherry color, with easily separated seeds;
- fruit weight – four grams;
- transportation – not damaged during transportation, thanks to the dry separation of the tails;
- frost resistance of the tree is average, able to withstand frosts up to twenty degrees;
- The frost resistance of the flower bud is high.
Thanks to these qualities, Octave has proven itself well and gained popularity among gardeners.
Rules for planting and care
The most favorable time for planting seedlings is spring (late March-early April). For the tree, select a sunny, draft-free place with light soil. Organic fertilizers are added to the hole prepared in advance and, two weeks later, the seedling is planted.
Note! Cherries do not like acidic soils; to neutralize them, they are treated with slaked lime.
The soil around the planted tree is lightly trampled and watered generously with five buckets of water. In autumn, cherries need to be fertilized with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers.
For proper care and achieving maximum yield, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Every year, before the start of sap flow, dry and old branches and shoots directed into the crown are removed;
- Watering should be properly regulated: abundant during flowering and fruit formation, moderate during ripening;
- monitor weeds and remove them on time;
- Apply fertilizers correctly and on time.
The productivity and normal development of the tree depends on the correct pruning, performed in late winter or early spring, before sap flow begins. During this operation, excess branches are removed, the crown is thinned and rejuvenated.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
This cherry is characterized by the following advantages:
- productivity;
- excellent taste of berries;
- frost resistance;
- the ability to preserve the quality of berries during transportation;
- universal use of fruits.
No shortcomings were identified in Octave.
Diseases and pests
Cherries are not susceptible to almost any disease due to their strong immunity. But to protect against pests, the tree must be sprayed with a special solution every spring, and the trunks must be treated with lime. Octave is suitable for growing in the warm and temperate climate of southern and central Russia. Thanks to its high yield, disease resistance and good transportability, it will satisfy the needs of any gardener.
