Content
Cherry Astakhova belongs to northern varieties... The aim of the selection was to create cherries that are resistant to the harsh climate. The gardeners succeeded in full measure: the combination of sweetness characteristic of the varieties of the south, high immunity to diseases and resistance to cold make the Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety the optimal choice for the central territories of the country.
Breeding history of the variety
Breeder M. V. Kanshina is the creator of the sweet cherry Lyubimitsa Astakhova, gave her the name in honor of her husband A. I. Astakhov The bred variety belongs to the northern group: resistant to winters, highly productive. The final work was carried out in the 70s under the guidance of prof. A. N. Venyaminov in Bryansk. The Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety was created on the material of selected samples of hybrids, and its genotype was formed under the influence of Voronezh and Leningrad breeding. In the State Register since 2011.
Description of the cherry variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova
The main indicators of Lyubimitsa Astakhov are presented in the table:
Regions | |
Regions for Astakhov's cherries | Central, but also feels great in the Non-Black Earth Region, in the Southern Urals. |
Wood | |
Trunk | Average growth rate; Height 3.5 - 4 m. |
Bark | Intense gray, closer to dark, with slight peeling; after shedding of leaves - strongly silvery. |
Leaves | Matte green; medium, long, elliptical, pointed with jagged edges. |
Flowers, fruits | Bouquet twigs; three saucer-shaped flowers in an inflorescence and a cup in the form of a glass. |
Crown | Sprawling, medium density, round-oval. |
Escapes | Below located horizontally, naked, brown-gray. Closer to the top are inclined and brown. |
Formation | Trimming, create tiers |
Fruit | |
The size | Middle |
The form | Oval |
The weight | 4-5 g, up to a maximum of 8 g. |
Skin | Dark red, in ripe fruits closer to black-burgundy, smooth, with a sheen, subcutaneous points are absent. |
Pulp, juice | Painted brightly; the pulp has elasticity, fleshy, rich in juice, with an easily detachable bone. |
Taste | Sweet, like the best varieties in the south, rated by tasters 4.5 to 4.8 out of 5. |
Variety characteristics
The description of the variety includes several points of characteristics, all of them taken together and constitute the advantages and disadvantages of Astakhov's cherry.
Winter hardiness of cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova
Increased resistance to frost and cold. The Lyubimitsa Astakhova variety was specially created in a harsh climate. Nevertheless, for better productivity, it is advisable to plant it in places with protection from the wind, it is recommended to create protective fences from the north and south sides.
Cherry pollinators Lyubimitsa Astakhova
The variety is partially self-pollinating, therefore, the presence of pollinating trees near the trees is mandatory, since there are very few ovaries without them. In extreme cases, cherries blooming at the same time as Astakhova's Lyubimitsa are suitable as pollinators.
Dates of flowering and fruiting of pollinators for cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova:
Variety | Flowering / fruiting |
Kid | Starting May 10 / Mid-July |
Tyutchevka | End of May / end of July |
Iput | End of March / beginning of summer |
Red hill | Early May / Mid June |
Ovstuzhenka | Second decade of May / mid-summer |
Raditsa | End of March / beginning of summer |
Large-fruited | End of May / end of summer |
Jealous | Mid May / July |
Productivity and fruiting
The flowering time of Astakhov's Favorite is May. Fruiting begins in the 5th year. Ripening period is medium late (beginning - mid-July).
Scope of berries
The use of Astakhov's favorite berries is universal. The safety during transportation is good, as the fruits are dense. The best time to harvest is early in the morning, as the pulp has good firmness at this time.
Under normal conditions, the berries do not last long (2-3 days). Store in the refrigerator.
Suitable for all applications: fresh, frozen, drying, preserves, curls, compotes, baked goods, juices, fruit salads.
Disease and pest resistance
Diseases of Pet Astakhov:
Disease | Immunity |
Coccomycosis | Middle |
Moniliosis | Tall |
Clasterosporium disease | Tall |
Cherry fly | Striking fruits, average firmness. |
Despite the high degree of resistance to fruit ailments, gardeners recommend that preventive measures be taken when growing Astakhov's cherries.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Pros and cons of Astakhov's Favorite:
Dignity | disadvantages |
Resistance to cold, frost. Resistant to frosty wind, but within reasonable limits. | Selection of pollinators. |
Sweet taste of southern varieties (4.5 - 4.8 out of 5 on the tasting scale). | Vulnerability to frost in spring, especially in young seedlings. It is recommended to wrap them up. |
High productivity. | |
Excellent immunity. | |
Unpretentiousness. |
Landing features
When planting Astakhov's cherries, the following parameters are taken into account:
- terms;
- priming;
- watering;
- place of growth;
- distance from and proximity to other plants.
Recommended timing
Astakhov's cherries are planted in late spring, after thawing, but before bud break, after the possibility of late frosts is minimized, and the soil is well saturated with moisture. Autumn planting carries the threat of freezing of immature roots.
Choosing the right place
For Astakhov's cherries, you need to choose the warmest place on the site, open to light, protected from northern winds by a wall, a fence, and other plantings. On the slope, the southern side is the most favorable.
Requirements for the soil: non-acidic, fertile and at the same time well breathable (loose). Clay and sandy lands are undesirable for cherries.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
- Cherry Lyubimitsa Astakhova is not supportive of the neighborhood with peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, tobacco (nightshade). They are susceptible to verticillium wilt, which can also destroy cherries.
- Astakhov's cherry feels great next to the lesser periwinkle, violets, lily of the valley and other flowers that love light sandy loam soils.
- Apple tree, pear, apricot, peach, currant, raspberry, gooseberry, hazel are not recommended to be planted near.
- But black elderberry (additional protection against aphids) and columnar cherry plum, on the contrary, have a good effect on cherries.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Requirements for Astakhov's cherry sapling:
- no more than 3 years;
- no damage to the root and bark;
- there should be no spots and cracks that are not characteristic of the plant;
- at the root should be from 3 branches with a thickness of 2 mm.
Training:
- The damaged root segments are cut off.
- The root is soaked if it is excessively dry.
- Remove all leaves, as they pick up moisture.
Landing algorithm
Step-by-step actions of planting sweet cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova:
- Dig a hole, fill it with humus, ash, fertilized soil mixture (half of the nutrient soil). Depth - 40-50 cm, diameter - 80 cm.
- They make a mound at the bottom, set up a tree, and lay out the roots conveniently. Then, raising it by 5 cm, the fertilized soil mixture is carefully poured.
- The neck of the root - from the south side, looks out 3-4 cm above ground level so that the grafting site warms up well.
- An overly flaccid crown is incised to living tissue, but no more than a third.
- The trunk is tied to a peg until the tree grows up.
- pour 2 buckets of water, mulch immediately.
Cherry follow-up care
Watering | Once a week in the near-stem hole, for an adult tree - in the furrow, during the ripening of the crop: 3-4 buckets per week (in drought). |
Top dressing | The next year after landing. Fertilizers: in spring - nitrogenous; · Flowering and a little later - potash; autumn - fluorinated. When it begins to bear fruit, it is done regularly. |
Pruning | Poorly tolerated, it is minimized. Vigorous, dry and damaged branches, sprouts at the roots are removed. After the berries appear on the shoots, they are shortened by a third - this stimulates the appearance of fruitful buds. In the northern regions, it is undesirable to carry out these manipulations annually. |
Preparing for winter | The soil is mulched. Saplings up to 3-4 years old are wrapped in spruce branches, roofing material, lutrasil. |
Reproduction | Vaccination. The best rootstocks are undersized, winter-hardy, adapted to the terrain. |
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Before the buds swell, sprinkle with Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate. This is repeated during the flowering period. Treatment with Zircon and Ekoberin preparations is recommended.
The cherry fly is the most dangerous pest. To prevent its appearance, fallen berries must be picked up regularly; during flowering, the crown is treated with insecticides.
Conclusion
Cherry Astakhov is definitely recommended by gardeners: it does not lose any of the valuable qualities inherent in cherries. Winter hardy, pest resistant. The berries have a rich sweet aromatic taste of southern varieties, and at the same time they are large, with a juicy, moderately dense pulp. Separately, you should consider the excellent transportability, which is important for business.
