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One of the most favorite plants of gardeners is the Large-fruited sweet cherry, which is a real record holder among trees of this species in terms of size and weight of fruits. Cherry Large-fruited can be grown in almost any area, but first you need to study all its characteristics and features.
Breeding history of the variety
For the first time, this variety was bred on the territory of Ukraine - its originators are breeders M.T. Oratovsky and N.I. Turovtsev. In the breeding work, the sweet cherry variety Napoleon Belaya was used, and the varieties Elton, Valery Chkalov and Zhabule were used as pollinators. In 1973, the new variety was submitted for testing, and in 1983 it was entered into the State Register.
Description of the cherry variety Large-fruited
Black cherry Large-fruited is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 5 meters in height. The main skeletal branches of the tree are few, but they are very durable and are covered with rough bark.
The natural shape of the crown is usually spherical, unless it is artificially formed, and of medium density. Cherry leaves are unremarkable - oblong, slightly pointed at the ends, juicy green. The easiest way to recognize a tree is by its white flowers, which bloom densely in April and envelop the entire cherry crown with a light veil.
A unique feature, thanks to which the variety received its expressive name, is the unusually massive cherry fruits. One berry can weigh from 10.4 to 12 g, sometimes even fruits weighing 18 g are found. The berries are round in shape, covered with a thin but dense skin, the color of which can vary from deep red to almost black. The pulp has the same color. By the time of ripening, this variety belongs to the category of mid-ripening cherries - the fruits appear around mid-late June.
Ideal areas for growing large-fruited cherries are the southern regions, Crimea and Krasnodar Territory. However, the variety is successfully cultivated in the middle lane - it all depends on the quality of caring for the Large-fruited, on the correct watering and pre-winter processing of the plant.
Variety characteristics
In order to understand how large-fruited cherry is suitable for growing in a specific area, you need to carefully read the characteristics of the variety. How well does the tree tolerate lack of moisture, frost and pests?
Drought tolerance
This variety tolerates a lack of moisture quite well. On the hottest summer days, cherries will require additional watering, but it is quite enough to carry out it once a week, 50 liters of water. The rest of the time, you can water the tree once a month in an amount of 20 - 40 liters of water under the trunk - for healthy growth of cherries, such a volume of moisture is enough.
Frost resistance of sweet cherry Large-fruited
The variety was not created for negative temperatures, but tolerates them well. Winter cold in the middle lane, when the temperature drops to -25 degrees, does not harm an adult tree, especially if there is care. But young seedlings of the variety are sensitive to low temperatures - that is why it is recommended to plant Large-fruited sweet cherries in the spring, and not in the fall.
Pollinators of sweet cherry Large-fruited
Large black cherries are self-fertile varieties. This means that other varieties will need to be planted next to it, which will act as pollinators - only then it will be possible to remove a bountiful harvest from the tree. For Large-fruited, pollinators can be:
- Sweet cherry Francis - the flowering of the variety is early, in early May, and ripening occurs by the end of June, approximately at the same time as the ripening of the Large-fruited cherry.
- Cherry Surprise - the flowering of the variety begins in May, 5-10 numbers. But the fruits from this variety can be harvested only by mid-July.
- Cherry Dayber Black - the variety blooms in medium terms, and its ripening is medium late. Fruits are usually harvested in late June - early July.
All of the listed varieties, planted next to the Large-fruited cherry, will be able to guarantee a plentiful and high-quality harvest of the latter.
Productivity and fruiting
The description of the large-fruited black cherry variety suggests that the fruits of the plant ripen in medium terms, and the harvest appears in the second half of June. The tree does not begin to bear berries immediately, but only 3 years after the seedling is rooted in the garden.
As for the yield, the variety is simply amazing - one tree can produce up to 56 kg of fruit annually.
Scope of berries
Large, fleshy, sweet and sour fruits of Large-fruited cherries have a high tasting score of 4.6 and can be used in a wide variety of culinary applications. Berries are eaten fresh, healthy juice is squeezed out of them, compotes and fruit drinks are cooked, and jam is made for the winter. Sweet cherries can be used as a baking ingredient.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety is considered highly resistant to disease and insect damage. However, with insufficient care and unfavorable weather, large-fruited cherries can undergo some ailments. Of the diseases, cherries are most often affected by:
- scab - expressed in the appearance of yellow spots on green leaves;
- moniliosis - drying out of young branches and ovaries;
- clotterosporia - bright red spots appear on the leaves, the growth of fruits stops;
- gum flow - the bark of the tree begins to exude resin, in which pathogenic bacteria settle.
The procedure for these lesions is approximately the same. The diseased parts of the tree are removed, and the healthy ones are treated with antiseptics.
Of the tree pests, aphids, weevils and cherry flies are especially dangerous. If insects are seen on the leaves or in the fruits of Large-fruited, it must be urgently treated with appropriate solutions.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Large-fruited cherries have much more positive qualities than disadvantages. The pluses include:
- the highest yield;
- juicy and sweet taste of the fruit;
- resistance to lack of moisture and low temperatures;
- resistance to pests and diseases affecting the tree is very rare;
- low demand for care.
The downside of the variety is its sterility - for abundant fruiting, pollinating varieties are required. Also, the disadvantage of the tree is the intolerance of high soil moisture - in rainy seasons, problems can begin with cherries.
Planting and caring for cherries Large-fruited
Large-fruited red sweet cherry is a variety that is rather undemanding to external conditions. But you still need to know the basic rules of planting and leaving.
Recommended timing
Since young seedlings are very sensitive to cold weather, it is recommended to plant large-fruited cherries not in autumn, but in spring - otherwise the tree shoots will simply freeze. Spring planting must be done on time - after the last frost, but before the start of the growing season in neighboring pollinating trees.
Choosing the right place
This variety loves the sun and warm air, so it is necessary to plant a tree in a well-lit area. The distance to the nearest trees should be about 3 meters.
The variety does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so swampy or clayey soil is not suitable for it. The tree favorably perceives loam and sandy loam soil with good ventilation.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
It is not recommended to plant pears, apple trees and currants near the tree. But cherries of other varieties and cherries can be settled in the neighborhood.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The root system of the planting material should be developed and intact, and a trace of grafting should be visible on the tree trunk.
Landing algorithm
Planting a tree in the ground is carried out as follows:
- A pit is prepared - 2 times more in volume than the size of the roots of the seedling.
- A layer of compost mixed with ordinary soil is laid out at the bottom of the pit.
- From above, the fertilizer is covered with soil, a peg for a garter is driven in.
- A seedling is placed in the pit, spreading the roots over the soil layer.
- The earth is poured from above up to half of the pit, then a bucket of water is poured out and the earth is again poured - already to the end. After that, the soil around the tree is compacted, watered again, sprinkled with mulch.
Cherry follow-up care
Caring for large-fruited cherries does not require much effort from the gardener.
- You need to prune dry and damaged shoots, as well as ordinary branches that begin to compete with the main ones. Remove branches growing below the skeletal branches. Shoots are annually shortened by a quarter or half.
- In dry weather, young trees are watered with 20 - 40 liters of water monthly, an adult sweet cherry requires 40 to 60 liters of water. In drought, watering is carried out weekly, and with heavy rainfall, they stop altogether.
- In the first 3 years, the tree does not need any fertilization. For 3 years, it is recommended to scatter ammonium and saltpeter under the trunk - no more than 25 g per square meter of soil. It is also recommended to scatter rotted manure at the trunk every three years.
- The variety is resistant to diseases and harmful insects, the tree needs minimal protection. It will be useful to whitewash the trunk with slaked lime.
- Before the onset of winter, it is recommended to dig up the soil a little, make the last watering, and then cover the trunk with hay or spruce branches. Also, after leaf fall, cherries need to be sprayed with a superphosphate solution.
Diseases and pests, control and prevention measures
Large-fruited cherries are not recommended to be unnecessarily treated with chemicals, since pests and diseases rarely affect it. As a preventive measure, it is enough to wrap the trunk with roofing material to protect it from rodents, and in winter - to form a snowdrift around the trunk.
Toxic drugs are resorted to only if the tree is really sick. To get rid of insects, Inta-Vir, Actellik and Decis solutions are used, and cuts and injuries on the trunk and branches are treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
Conclusion
Cherry Large-fruited is a rather unpretentious fruit tree. If you follow the basic rules of pollination and care, the variety will delight you with very bountiful harvests.
