Content
Sweet cherry French Black is a well-known variety that is grown in the southern regions. Its main advantages are disease resistance and high quality fruit.
Breeding history
The exact origin of the variety has not been established. It is believed to have been brought from Western Europe. Information about the variety has been present in the state register since 1959.
Description of culture
Description of the variety of sweet cherries French Black:
- great strength of growth;
- the crown is wide, spreading, rounded;
- shoots branch well, hang slightly to the ground;
- annual branches are light brown with a gray bloom;
- leaves are oval, about 16x78 mm in size;
- the leaf plate is smooth, oval or elongated, dark green;
- the tips of the leaves are pointed.
Sweet cherry produces medium-sized white flowers. Flowers bloom in inflorescences of 2-4 pcs.
Fruits are large, average weight 6.5 g, maximum - 7.5 g. The shape is elongated-oval, with a small funnel, size 24x23 mm. The color is dark red, when ripe it becomes more saturated, almost black.
The pulp is deep red, juicy, high density. Taste qualities are estimated at 4.5 points. The juice is sweet, dark red.
The fruits have high commercial properties, do not crack, the stalk is easily torn off. The pulp contains dry matter (13.3%), sugar (18.5%), acids (0.8%), ascorbic acid (7.7 mg / 100 g).
According to its characteristics, the French Black cherry variety is suitable for planting in the North Caucasus and other southern regions.
Characteristics
When choosing a cherry variety, attention is paid to its characteristics: resistance to drought, winter frosts and diseases, the period of flowering and ripening of fruits.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The French Black variety is highly resistant to drought. The tree gets moisture after rains or from deep soil layers.
Sweet cherry shows high winter hardiness of buds and wood. With an early drop in temperature at the end of autumn, fruit buds are affected. According to reviews about French cherries, Black fruit buds are not susceptible to frost.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
The variety is self-fertile; pollinators must be planted to obtain a harvest. The best pollinators for sweet cherries French Black - varieties Melitopolskaya, Large-fruited, Krasa Kubani, Napoleon Black, Ramon Oliva, Prestige.
Flowering occurs in May. The fruits ripen at a later date. The crop is harvested at the end of July.
Productivity, fruiting
Sweet cherry French Black comes into fruiting at 6-7 years. The trees bear fruit for a long time for 25 years.
Sweet cherry stands out for its high and stable yield. The largest harvest (about 65 kg) is given by a tree at the age of 15 years. The maximum recorded yield is 184 kg.
Scope of berries
The fruits have a universal purpose. They are used as a dessert and decoration for confectionery. Sweet cherries are frozen or processed to obtain homemade products (jam, juice, compote).
Disease and pest resistance
The variety is not susceptible to the main fungal diseases of the culture: coccomycosis, moniliosis, perforated spot. Pest resistance is average.
Advantages and disadvantages
Main advantages:
- high winter hardiness;
- stable yield;
- large fruits;
- high commercial and taste qualities of sweet cherries.
Disadvantages of the French Black variety:
- susceptibility to early winter frosts;
- vigor of the tree.
Landing features
Sweet cherries are planted on time, depending on the weather conditions in the region. Pre-select a place, prepare a seedling and a planting pit.
Recommended timing
In warm regions, work is carried out in the fall after leaf fall. The seedling manages to take root before the onset of cold snaps. In the middle lane, planting is transferred to the spring, before the swelling of the kidneys.
Choosing the right place
For cherries, choose a sunny warm area. The culture is not planted in lowlands, where moisture and cold air accumulate. The permissible groundwater level is more than 2 m.
Sweet cherry prefers loamy or sandy loam soil. Coarse sand is introduced into the clay soil, and organic matter into the sandy soil.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Sweet cherries are planted in groups of 2-4 varieties. It is not recommended to grow raspberries, currants, hazels near the crop. From apple, pear and other fruit crops, cherries are removed by 3-4 m.
Selection and preparation of planting material
One- or two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting. Before buying, examine the shoots and the root system. Healthy planting material has no cracks, mold or other defects.
2 hours before planting, the roots of the seedling are dipped in clean water. If the root system is dried, it is kept in water for 10 hours.
Landing algorithm
Planting culture:
- Dig a hole with a diameter of 1 m and a depth of 70 cm.
- Compost, 150 g of superphosphate, 50 g of potassium salt and 0.5 kg of ash are added to the fertile soil.
- Part of the soil is poured into the pit and shrinkage is awaited.
- After 2-3 weeks, the remaining soil is poured, a seedling is placed on top.
- The roots of the cherry are covered with earth and the plant is watered abundantly.
Follow-up care of the culture
Sweet cherries are watered three times during the season: before flowering, in the middle of summer and before winter. Each tree requires 2 buckets of water.
The French Black variety is fed in early spring. 15 g of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are embedded in the soil. After harvesting, the tree is sprayed with a solution containing 10 g of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers per 10 liters of water.
When growing cherries, French Black are pruned annually. The conductor and skeletal branches are shortened. Dry, frozen and thickening shoots are pruned.
Only young trees need shelter for the winter. They are covered with agrofibre and spruce branches. To protect the trunk from rodents, roofing material or mesh is used.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The main diseases of the culture are shown in the table:
Name of the disease | Symptoms | Ways to fight | Preventive actions |
Chlorosis | Uniform yellowing of leaves ahead of schedule. | Spraying the tree with Bordeaux liquid. |
|
Clasterosporium disease | Small reddish spots on the leaves. | Treatment with a solution of the drug Abiga Peak. |
Cherry pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Ways to fight | Preventive actions |
Leaf roll | Leafworm caterpillars eat leaves, buds and fruits. | Spraying with Koragen insecticide solution. |
|
Cherry pipe runner | The larvae feed on the kernel of the stone, as a result, the fruits fall off, lose marketability and taste. | Treatment with Aktara. |
Conclusion
Sweet Cherry French Black is a proven variety suitable for planting in warm climates.The high commercial and taste qualities of the fruits were appreciated by gardeners and farm owners.
