Hobbyist growers are increasingly interested in exquisite varieties of apple or cherry, such as Sargenta. They are capricious and require constant care, but outwardly they look impressive, bright, and are able to decorate a park or corner of the garden with their presence.
History of occurrence and description of the variety
Sargent belongs to the decorative varieties; you should not expect abundant harvests from it.The tree, which under natural conditions can grow in Japan, the Far East, and Finland, is very beautiful: in the spring, after a thaw, it stands out from behind a cloud of pinkish-red inflorescences strewing the branches.
The leaves, brown with a copper tint at the time of flowering, gradually turn green by autumn, filling with a rich orange color with a transition to a reddish tint. In winter, when the trees lose their cover, the cherry tree will stand out as a brown, lightly striped bark color that contrasts nicely with the white snow. Branches are horizontally oriented, spreading. Grows up to 15 meters in height.
Features of cultivation
Despite its apparent fragility, Sargenta grows in the mountains, in Central Finland - conditions that cannot be called greenhouse conditions. The choice of planting site is not particularly capricious: the main thing is that there is no open, ventilated space. Can grow in city parks and squares.
Choosing a landing site
Prefers a bright place, sheltered from the wind. Resistant to frost and low temperatures. It takes root equally well in the garden, on a summer cottage, within the city.
Soil type
Sargent is suitable for dry, moderately clayey soils, with a pH from neutral to highly alkaline. The main thing is that they have enough nutrients.
Landing dates
Considering that the cherry tree already blooms in April, sap flow in it begins even earlier. It is recommended to worry about purchasing a seedling in the fall, save it until early spring, and then plant it in open ground.
Planting stages
It is very important to choose grafted (grown) trees that are close in terms of growing conditions to the planting area: others may not take root.The planting site is an elevated, well-ventilated (but without drafts) and drained area. Steep slopes, swampy basins, damp and dark glades are not suitable. Directions - west, northwest and southwest - are the best choice for cherries. Subsequent transplantation is not advisable.
A hole is formed in the ground into which the seedling is placed, lightly tamping the soil around it.
Care
Sargent needs little care and additional protective measures. It reacts to soils poor in potassium and nitrogen, and lack of phosphorus: in this case, fertilizing with organic matter or mineral complexes will be required.
Approximately, doses of humus will be needed in the range of 4-10 kilograms per square meter of area, depending on the saturation of the earth mixture with minerals.
Watering
Cherry trees are not sensitive to moisture; excess is much more harmful to them. During drought, plants are watered between the end of May and beginning of June, during the period of greatest growth and sap flow. Another time period is the end of July-beginning of August, when the ovaries for the next year's harvest are formed.
Fertilizers
Organic and mineral fertilizers, humus, and superphosphates are applied. Their dosage is determined by the condition of the soil (poor, saturated) and periods of cherry growth.
Pests and diseases
Almost all varieties of cherries are susceptible to fungal infection (coccocomycosis). Spraying with Bordeaux mixture and other chemicals gives good results.
Cherry weevil
It can get in with other plants, overwinter in the ground and begin to actively harm the cherry. To do this, remove old bark and dry branches and burn them away from the place where the tree grows. Deep loosening of the root zone also helps to destroy adult pests and pupae.
cherry fly
The fly can infect berries and usually hides in the ground at a depth of up to 13 centimeters. It is destroyed by loosening and treating the tree with chemicals after the fruits fall.
Aphid
A soap solution will help get rid of aphids - a simple and environmentally friendly product that is used to spray the leaves and the cherry itself.
