Content
Sweet cherry of Milan is included in the list of the most ancient representatives of cherries belonging to the genus of plums. This species is popular with beekeepers as it is a wonderful source of pollen for bees. The most attractive difference between Milan cherries and congeners is their rich honey taste.
Breeding history
To obtain high-quality fruits and a productive variety, specialists from the Lupin All-Russian Research Institute carried out a number of studies. Random cherry seedlings were selected and crossed, as a result of which the Milan cherry was obtained, which became a selection achievement in the second half of the 60s.
Description of culture
Sweet cherry Milana has a dark burgundy color, inside with dense pulp. Fruit weight on average does not exceed 5 g. Medium-sized trees with a spherical crown of medium density. Branching pattern is tiered.
For growing sweet cherries in Milan, a subtropical or continental climate is excellent. In a monsoon and strongly expressed continental climate, the variety will not grow. Experienced gardeners recommend choosing the central and central black earth regions for planting.
Characteristics
- Mature trees grow up to 5 meters in height.
- Covered with a rough bark with a gray-brown tint.
- The crown has an average foliage density, and the main branches are located near the trunk, at an acute angle of no more than 60 degrees.
- Curved shoots, 0.5 cm in diameter.
- The foliage is rather large, turning sharply to the top.
- The leaf can be up to 10 cm in length, and its edges have slight notches.
- The large Milan cherry berries are the characteristic feature of this variety. The mass of one fruit is up to 5 g.
- The ripe crop is characterized by a maroon, almost black color and juicy pulp.
- The Milan cherry pit has a rounded shape, and its weight is 0.35 g.
- The berries are connected with each other using cuttings, no more than 3 pieces on each.
- The stalk of Milan sweet cherries does not exceed 50 mm in length, and their density on the branches is quite dense.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Milan cherry variety is intended for cultivation in a southern climate, but prolonged drought is very poorly tolerated. If during dry weather the seedlings do not receive a sufficient amount of moisture, this can lead to a decrease in yield by almost half. In the presence of dry hot weather in the spring, foliage is prone to wilting.
Despite the fact that most varieties of sweet cherries are sensitive to cold weather, the frost resistance of Milan cherries is one of its main advantages. In case of prolonged frost, reaching -25 degrees, trees retain about 30 percent of their buds. This contributes to the harvesting of the tree even after a cold and frosty winter.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
The Milan cherry variety is self-fertile. For this reason, he needs pollinators, the best of which are Moskvichka, Annushka and Leningradskaya early.
The flowering period of Milan cherries begins in the second half of April and lasts until early May. Before the foliage blooms, white buds appear.
Sweet cherry Milana is an early ripening variety, so harvesting can begin in the first half of June. The ripeness of the berries is determined by a well-defined aroma, dark red color and sheen on the skin of the berry.
Productivity, fruiting
The tree has an average yield, depending on the region of cultivation. In the northern regions, as a rule, the harvest will not be as large. If in the southern region at least 60 kg of fruits are harvested on average, then in the northern region this number may be halved. The collection of Milan cherries is divided into two approaches, because on the upper branches the harvest ripens faster than on the lower ones. First, the berries located at the top of the tree are collected, after which you can proceed to the lower branches of the tree.
Sweet cherries of Milan begin to bear fruit five years after the tree has been planted in open ground. Further yield becomes annual and regular.
The following factors can affect the quality of fruiting and yield:
- in the presence of dry and hot weather, pollen on flowering buds can lead to false pollination;
- if the presence of a fungal disease was found in the garden: moniliosis or coccomycosis, this leads to the termination of fruiting;
- in the absence of a pollinator, no more than 5% of the total number of sweet cherry fruits can set.
Scope of berries
Berries of the Milan variety are among the dessert ones, and they are best consumed fresh. But the area of application of the fruit also extends to homemade preparations for the winter: jam and compote, - as well as to baking pies or cakes.
Disease and pest resistance
Milano cherries are susceptible to various fungal diseases. Often these diseases are caused by gray rot or coccomycosis. A gray bloom appears on the leaves, covering their entire surface.
The foliage falls off very early, which entails the insecurity of the tree in the winter season. The berries themselves can be affected directly.
For preventive purposes, after the snow melts, in the presence of sunny and dry weather, the seedlings must be treated with Bordeaux liquid with a three percent concentration. After the end of flowering, this procedure will need to be repeated, but at the same time using already one percent essence.
Advantages and disadvantages
The sweet cherry of the Milan variety has many positive characteristics, for which experienced gardeners appreciate it.
The tree has the following advantages:
- excellent taste;
- good frost resistance;
- early ripeness;
- large berries.
Among the obvious disadvantages of the variety are:
- frequent lesions by fungal infections;
- berries crack if the soil is waterlogged.
Landing features
When growing Milan cherries, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules. It is necessary to take a responsible attitude to the preparation of the planting site, as well as choose the correct technique for planting seedlings in the planting pit. Failure to comply with these requirements will lead to the fact that the tree will often get sick, give a poor harvest, and may even die altogether.
Recommended timing
Cherries can be planted both in spring and autumn. But during the autumn planting process, the tree can be harmed. In the presence of frost, seedlings are often damaged, which leads to a lack of harvest or death. If planting is carried out in the autumn, the soil must be carefully prepared: fertilized, loosened and thoroughly watered.
Planting a tree in spring often has a positive effect on the growth and development of the seedlings.The trees harden well in the soil throughout the growing season, and the cold winter will not bring them almost any harm.
Choosing the right place
Sweet cherry is a sunshine lover. And darkened areas will serve for its poor strengthening in the soil and a minimum amount of foliage. Thanks to the sunlight, sweet fruits are formed on the tree.
For a tree, areas on elevations that are not blown through by cold air are perfect.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Sweet cherry of Milan belongs to stone fruit crops. This indicates that it should be planted next to the same plants.
- As for pome trees, such as pears and apples, their lush crown can block out sunlight for cherries. You can plant them nearby, but only with a distance of about 6 meters.
- Milana can be planted next to Nevezhinskaya mountain ash, elderberry, grape and hawthorn. They are able to get along well without interfering with each other and without affecting the productivity of their neighbors.
- There are a number of plants that can harm cherries - they should not be planted nearby. Solanaceous crops, represented by sweet bell peppers, tomatoes and eggplants, carry diseases that are dangerous for cherries, leading to the death of seedlings.
Selection and preparation of planting material
For planting cherries, good soil and a suitable place alone are not enough. Much depends on the correct choice of planting material. If the seedlings are bad, with significant damage or an undeveloped root system, their further growth will be difficult.
When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to whether they are obtained from a seed or grafted. It is recommended to buy grafted plants, because such seedlings are able to give a good harvest in the future. The place where the vaccination was carried out must be visible on the trunk.
Landing algorithm
When growing a tree, a certain sequence must be followed.
The correct algorithm for planting sweet cherries in Milan includes several stages:
- Two weeks before the intended planting, you need to prepare a planting pit, its depth should be at least 60 cm.
- The soil from the pit is divided into two equal parts: one heap should consist of the upper fertile layer, and the second from the lower one.
- You need to take organic fertilizer in the amount of 10 kg and mix it with the top layer of soil.
- In addition to such a mixture, a stake should be dug into the bottom of the planting pit, it is desirable that it be reliable and long. This is necessary in order to tie up the tree in order to avoid the negative effects of weather conditions.
- Dig in the Milana tree slowly and carefully, avoiding damage to the roots. Leaving air spaces is not recommended. The soil is compacted, and a shallow hole is made around the trunk.
Follow-up care of the culture
The cultivation of Milan cherries requires proper care.
- Watering should be regular, and its frequency should be 30 days. For young trees, you need to use at least 30 liters of water, and for large and fruiting trees, at least 60 liters of liquid.
- After the Milan cherries are planted in the ground, there is no need to feed the tree, because during planting the fertilizer was applied to the soil. During the second year, it is recommended to fertilize the tree with nitrogen fertilizer - urea, which has a positive effect on the development of seedlings. After three years, fertilization should be applied on a regular basis.
- The sweet cherry of Milan is resistant to cold weather. But planted young seedlings with the onset of winter must be provided with additional protection. The soil around the tree trunk should be watered and dug up, mineral fertilizers applied. To protect a small tree from frost, it must be tied with burlap, and the soil around it must be covered with snow.
- To avoid damage from rodents, the cherry can be overlaid with a spruce tree, and the branches of the tree can be tightly tied with twine. You can take roofing material and wrap a tree with it, and treat the area with a special poison designed to destroy rodents.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Sweet cherry Milan is susceptible to a disease such as coccomycosis. It appears as small brown spots that grow throughout the tree over time. For preventive purposes, the tree must be treated using a solution of copper sulfate. This procedure should be performed at the beginning of the swelling of the kidneys.
Another common disease is cherry rot: brown, fruit or brown. Rotten berries should be removed immediately, and if there are a lot of them, preventive treatment should be carried out in early spring.
Of the cherry pests, the most dangerous is the cherry fly, which uses the juice of the fruit and leaves of the tree for its nutrition. When the berry reaches the desired size, the fly can lay its eggs in the cherry. After 7 days, larvae appear, feeding on berry pulp.
To combat cherry fly, it is recommended to use insecticides that are sprayed on the buds that have tied.
Conclusion
Sweet cherry Milana is a winter-hardy and early variety. The berries differ in size and strength, and their dessert properties will appeal to gardeners who can use the crop to make compotes or jams.
