Content
Drogan Yellow Cherry was bred for a long time. Like all yellow-fruited varieties, it is distinguished by its exquisite taste and juiciness of the fruit. The popularity of the variety is determined not only by its taste, but also by its good adaptation to various climatic conditions.
Breeding history
The origin of the Drogan cherries has not been precisely established. It is known that the variety was obtained in Saxony, and got its name in honor of the originator Drogan. The history of the selection of Drogan's cherries has not survived. As of April 2018, the variety was not included in the State Register.
Description of culture
Drogan's cherry tree reaches a height of 5-6 m. The crown is without excessive thickening, it has a slightly flattened spherical or conical shape. The plant has smooth and long shoots of light brown color. The leaves are large, up to 17 cm long and 6-7 cm wide. Below is a photo of Drogan Yellow cherry with blossoming flowers.
The size of the fruits is slightly above average, their weight reaches 8 g. The shape of the fruits is heart-shaped, the appearance is bright and spectacular. They are firmly attached to the stalks; there is practically no falling off of ripe fruits. The color of the hearth is yellow, which follows from the name of the variety. Their skin is very thin. It is smooth and delicate to the touch.
The flesh inside the fruit is dense, but at the same time very juicy. It has a yellow-straw color; subtle veins are visible inside the pulp. The separation of the bone from the pulp is difficult. The fruits are very sweet. According to tasters, the taste of sweet cherries was assigned 4.6 points on a five-point scale. Photo of fruits of Drogan Yellow cherry:
The fruits of the plant contain:
- dry matter - up to 18%;
- sugars - up to 14%;
- acids - 0.2%.
Description of Cherry Drogana Zheltaya recommends it for cultivation in the North Caucasus and in the lower reaches of the Volga, however, its actual distribution due to the initiative of gardeners is much wider. Drogan Yellow cherry is currently cultivated in the following areas:
- Central region;
- Middle lane;
- The Baltic States;
- Belarus;
- Ukraine;
- Moldova.
Reviews of Drogan's cherry in these regions note the excellent adaptation of the variety to colder climates and the preservation of high yields.
Characteristics
The characteristics of the sweet cherry variety Drogana Zheltaya are considered balanced. The variety combines good winter hardiness, high fruiting, acceptable resistance to pests.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The plant tolerates short-term droughts well, without watering it can do up to one month.
The generative buds of the plant are able to withstand frosts down to -35 ° C, in addition, late flowering does not allow the ovaries to die from frosts in the off-season.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
Trees bloom late, usually at the end of May. The plant requires planting of pollinators, although it is considered self-fertile. However, if a tree is planted without pollinators, the yield will be very low. Their maximum distance from the tree should not be more than 35-40 m.
Recommended pollinators for Drogan Yellow cherries include:
- Napoleon;
- Francis;
- Large-fruited.
Pollinator varieties may have a color other than yellow. This sometimes leads to the incorrect choice of pollinators for Drogan cherries, the flowering dates of which are earlier. In addition, in some cases, it is possible to mislead gardeners by the presence of non-existent varieties. For example, the variety, often called Drogan's black cherry, does not exist in nature, but it may be mistakenly called the Napoleon variety of dark red, almost black color.
The ripening dates of fruits are the third decade of June, rarely the beginning of July.
Productivity, fruiting
The yield of the variety is good - under ideal conditions, up to 100 kg of fruits are harvested from the tree. Average yield indicators depend on climatic conditions and proper care, they are 50-70 kg.
According to the description of the sweet cherry variety Drogana Zheltaya, the plant begins to produce yields starting from the 4th year. Fruiting on all branches occurs almost simultaneously.
Scope of berries
The fruits have low keeping quality and poor transportability. Therefore, it is recommended to use them directly after harvesting: sweet cherries are consumed raw, they go into compotes and conservation. Freezing the fruit is also not recommended due to the cracking of their thin skin.
Disease and pest resistance
With proper care of the Drogan Yellow cherry and taking preventive measures, adult trees tolerate diseases well and have high resistance to pests. The most common diseases and pests are the same as in other varieties of cherries: gray rot and cherry fly. Like any sweet cherry, this variety can be attacked by birds and rodents.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the Drogan Yellow cherry variety:
- excellent taste;
- good adaptation to different climatic conditions;
- no requirements for the composition of the soil;
- acceptable drought resistance;
- good winter hardiness.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- poor keeping quality and transportability;
- the need for pollinators.
Landing features
All planting procedures for this variety are identical to those for any other cherry variety. The only circumstance that must be taken into account is the relatively large growth of the tree (up to 6 m), which cannot be reduced even with intensive pruning.
Recommended timing
It is advisable to plant Drogan Yellow cherries in the spring, about a month before flowering, that is, in early May. Saplings purchased in summer or autumn must be stored for two weeks and only then planted. The deadline for planting is limited to the second decade of September.
Choosing the right place
The plant loves sunny areas with a duration of 16 to 18 hours of sun exposure. The ideal option would be to plant on the south side of the site, so that there is a wind barrier from the north of the plant. The plant is not picky about the composition of the soil, but slightly acidic soils are more preferable. Groundwater should not be closer than 4 m to the surface.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Sweet cherry is well adjacent to rowan and apple trees. Neighborhood with currants and gooseberries is undesirable. In addition, it is impossible to plant cherries near cherries because of the possibility of their cross-pollination. The result of this crossing will be a small amount of small and tasteless fruits.
Selection and preparation of planting material
It is recommended to choose seedlings for planting about three years old. It is advisable to buy them in nurseries with documents or, at least, with tags. The root must have at least three branches. On the seedlings themselves, the presence of generative buds is mandatory.
Preparing a seedling before planting consists in removing the leaves from the plant so that they do not draw moisture on themselves.
Landing algorithm
The plant is planted in a hole 0.6-0.7 m deep.Previously, a layer of humus 15 cm thick is placed on the bottom of the pit, or green manure is placed in it, which are poured with manure infusion. Mineral fertilizers are also introduced into the pit: superphosphate (up to 500 g) and potassium sulfate (up to 100 g). All this is thoroughly mixed and filled with water.
The seedling is planted in two hours, while the roots of the plant are straightened, the seedling is positioned so that its root collar is 5 cm above the ground. A garter peg is driven in next to it. The pit is filled with soil, compacted and watered with a bucket of water. It is advisable to mulch the planting site with peat or freshly cut grass.
Follow-up care of the culture
Care for Drogan Yellow cherries is standard. During active vegetation, flowering and fruiting, regular watering is recommended with a frequency of 15-30 days, depending on the amount of natural precipitation.
The feeding of young plants is carried out with the help of mineral fertilizers in May and July. Older plants need additional feeding at the end of the season. This can be humus or compost in the amount of 10-12 kg, applied under the tree in October.
Preparing a plant for winter includes thorough digging and mulching of the soil and wrapping the lower part of the trunk with heat-insulating material, which is especially important for young trees. As soon as the first snow falls, it is advisable to sprinkle the trunk with a snow cone up to 1 m high.
Pruning helps to form the crown and increase the yield of the plant. In addition, sanitary pruning of the tree helps to rid the tree of diseased branches. Pruning is performed twice per season: in spring and autumn. This always removes dry and damaged shoots.
According to reviews about the Drogan Yellow cherry, to increase the yield, it is recommended to cut the young shoots of the current year by about half the length.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Consider the diseases of the Drogan Yellow cherry variety:
Disease | Control methods | Prophylaxis |
Tinder | Cutting off the bodies of the fungus, followed by treatment with a disinfectant (3% solution of copper sulfate) | Dissolved lime treatment of the trunk |
Gray rot | Removal of damaged fruits and leaves. Fungicide treatment (Fitosporin or 1% Bordeaux liquid solution) | Spraying with 1% solution of copper sulfate or "Nitrafemon" |
How to get rid of pests:
Pest | Control methods | Prophylaxis |
Cherry fly | Use of insecticides ("Zolon", "Calypso", "Actellik") | Regular loosening of the soil near the trunk. Application of glue traps |
Trubokvert | Use of insecticides (Metaphos, Hexachloran) | Collection and destruction of prematurely fallen leaves and fruits |
Birds | Scarecrows, rattles, loud synthesizers | Covering a tree with a fishing net or a fine mesh net. Spraying the tree with a solution of red pepper (insist 10 pods in 3 liters of water). The use of deterrent gels, such as "Bed Free" |
Conclusion
Cherry Drogana Yellow is a late variety recommended for growing in individual garden plots of a small area. Planting and caring for the Drogan Yellow cherry is quite simple, even novice gardeners can do it. Fruiting of the plant begins in the 4th year of life. The plant has large fruits and a stable yield.
Testimonials
Consider the reviews of gardeners about yellow cherry:
