The Zagoryevskaya cherry variety is popular due to its increased resistance to fungal diseases. It is because of them that gardeners are now forced to deny themselves the pleasure of growing healthy berries and making preparations from them. However, this variety will delight you not only with a rich, but also tasty harvest with minimal care. The tree does not make excessive demands on agricultural technology and serves as a decoration for the site during the flowering period.
History of selection
Workers from VSISP in the city of Biryulyovo worked on the creation of the Zagoryevskaya cherry. In the old days there was a village called Zagorje. The cherry tree owes its name to this place. The mother varieties were Lyubskaya, known throughout the country, and Cherny Shirpotreb. Initially, it was planned to grow Zagoryevskaya in the northwestern region, but over time it conquered much larger areas. To date, the variety has not been included in the state register, but this has not made gardeners’ love for cherries any less.
Description and features
The description of the variety suggests that Zagoryevskaya is a prominent representative of ordinary cherries. The tree grows of medium size and can reach a height of 3-4 meters. The crown is dense, its shape is round, very spreading, and requires regular pruning and shaping.
The fruits of the Zagoryevskaya cherry are more similar in shape and color to cherries. The weight of one berry reaches 5 grams. The cherries are round, at the stage of technical ripeness they have a dark cherry color with a slight brown tint. The pulp is quite dense and tasty. The classic sweet and sour taste has a slight chocolate aftertaste. The stone is small and can be easily separated from the pulp. Fruits with a stalk are separated with a certain effort.
Zagoryevskaya cherry has good drought resistance, but its frost resistance is average. In severe frosts, the flower buds of the plant freeze over, leaving gardeners without a harvest. The small height of the tree allows it to be protected from the cold, so experienced summer residents cope with this task without any problems.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages of Zagorievskaya cherries include the following:
- small tree size;
- drought and frost resistance;
- excellent commercial quality of berries;
- high yield rates;
- early fruiting of the variety;
- self-fertility.
The plant is not without certain disadvantages:
- sour taste of fruits;
- the possibility of freezing of flower buds in severe frosts and during return frosts;
- average resistance to diseases.
Features of ripening and fruiting
Zagoryevskaya is capable of producing a harvest even without the presence of a pollinating variety nearby. However, if a tree of a different variety grows next door, capable of additionally pollinating the flowers, the yield increases significantly. Cherries begin to produce good harvests 3-4 years after planting on the site. An adult plant produces up to 13 kg of high quality fruit.
Tasters rate Zagoryevskaya berries at 4.5 points and call them dessert. The harvest is suitable for both fresh consumption and all types of processing.
Resistance to pests and diseases
The most terrible diseases for cherries are considered to be fungal ones, which mutate over time. Zagoryevskaya is characterized by average resistance to coccomycosis and moniliosis, however, timely preventive measures allow you to completely forget about the impending threat.
Frost resistance of Zagoryevskaya cherry
As the authors of the variety themselves testify, Zagoryevskaya has average frost resistance. When temperatures drop significantly in winter, it is not the shoots of the tree that freeze, but the flower buds. The root system also needs additional protection. For the winter, the area around the trunk is mulched using humus or other organic matter for this purpose.
Spring return frosts are also dangerous for the cherry tree.To save the future harvest during this period, it is advisable to sprinkle, smoke the area, and cover the plant with spunbond.
Which regions are best to grow in?
Zagoryevskaya cherry variety is successfully grown throughout almost the entire territory of our country. The tree is highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for cultivation in southern climates. In the middle zone there are also comfortable growing conditions for it. By organizing protection from cold in winter and frost in spring, the harvest is obtained even in harsh climatic conditions.
