Content
Cherries Ovstuzhenka, bred specifically for the middle zone of the Russian Federation, combines several valuable qualities at once. This is large-fruited, yield, cold resistance, excellent taste. Therefore, the variety is recognized as a leader. Gardeners of even northern regions are justly interested in him. The tree is partially self-fertile. From 10% of flowers, ovaries can appear, even if there is no pollinator nearby.
Breeding history
Variety cherries Ovstuzhenka was bred by the breeder V.M. Kanyshina. Suitable for cultivation in Central Russia, it was entered in the State Register in 2001. Crossed Leningrad black with Benjaminova Compact. The selection was carried out in Bryansk, Lupin Research Institute. The result is rather early fruiting, combined with frost resistance. The southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region give the best reviews about the culture of this variety.
Description of culture
The tree is gaining growth, spreading in height, for the first five years. After this period, fruiting begins. As a result, the height of the Ovstuzhenka cherry tree is not very high. It has a dense spherical crown, which is convenient for picking fruits and leaving. The leaf is ovoid, pointed, with teeth, with a short petiole. Ripe berries are almost black, weighing up to 7 grams. They have the following characteristics:
- round or oval shape, large size;
- maroon color;
- juiciness, medium density, separates well from the stone;
- taste - 4.5 points (on a 5-point scale), sweet;
- dry matter - up to 17.7%;
- sugar - 11.6%;
- ascorbic acid - 13.4 mg per 100 g.
The variety grows even in the harsh conditions of Siberia. Winter hardiness of sweet cherries Ovstuzhenka is very significant. But it was displayed for the Central region, including the Bryansk, Ivanovo, Moscow, Kaluga, Tula, Smolensk regions. Perfectly tolerating small frosts, Ovstuzhenka must nevertheless be protected from the north winds and be under the sun.
Characteristics
Main characteristic cherry varieties Ostuzhenka - versatility. Delicious, healthy berries with tonic qualities are suitable for consumption both fresh and processed for storage. The variety also gained popularity due to its resistance to frost; it can be cultivated in a wide variety of climatic conditions. Ostuzhenka is very often chosen for cultivation in private gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and good early harvest.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The variety can withstand cold temperatures down to -45 degrees. The frost resistance of the Ovstuzhenka sweet cherry allows it to be grown in all regions. As for drought, the tree requires timely watering. The variety is very moisture-loving. 1 tree requires 15–20 liters.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
The flowering of cherry trees is observed in the second decade of May. The inflorescences consist of 3 large snow-white flowers. Frost resistance of flowers and vegetative buds is considered a distinctive feature of Ovstuzhenka trees.
When the fruits of Ovstuzhenka turn dark, ripeness sets in, it's time to harvest.The usual ripening is the end of June, in the southern regions it is the middle of the month, and the Trans-Urals harvests 30 days later. Pollinators for sweet cherries Ovstuzhenka are at the same time flowering varieties.
Productivity, fruiting
Ovstuzhenka forms numerous ovaries after flowering, if other varieties of cherries grow close to it. In this case, 32 kg can be obtained from a tree, which is a high figure. Scientific tests were carried out, as a result of which the yield from one hectare of Ovstuzhenka trees was up to 206 centners of fruits per year.
For good preservation of cherry fruits, they are picked by hand together with the stalks. Otherwise, the beneficial composition of substances may be lost. The berries do not crack and can be transported over long distances.
Scope of berries
Sweet cherry is a very healthy berry. This variety with a dark fruit color strengthens the heart and blood vessels. The chemical composition contains the whole complex of multivitamins, sufficient to fill the deficit in vitamin deficiency.
Ovstuzhenka fruits are used for fresh food. But desserts, jams and compotes are also good. The berry must be frozen.
Disease and pest resistance
When carrying out preventive spraying and whitewashing the trunk, the sweet cherry tree Ovstuzhenka is invulnerable to fungal diseases.
Prevention against insects also guarantees health. But the cold wind and rodent attacks are serious hazards for the Ovstuzhenka trees, so a solid protection is required.
Advantages and disadvantages
The good qualities of the Ovstuzhenka cherry are the following:
- resistance to cold, growing in any climate;
- the size of the tree is not too large, making it easy to care for it;
- excellent taste of large fruits;
- resistance to fungi;
- early maturation;
- high productivity.
In the reviews of summer residents about the Ovstuzhenka cherry in the Moscow region, low self-pollination (10%), as well as the instability of branches to cold, are classified as disadvantages.
Landing features
When planting Ovstuzhenka cherries in the spring, you need to make preparations on the site in the fall.
- They dig holes 0.8 m wide and 1 m deep.
- Fill them by a third with a mixture: 1 kg of wood ash, 3 kg of superphosphate, 2 buckets of earth, 1 kg of potassium sulfate, 30 kg of rotten manure or compost.
Under the condition of such preparation, in the spring, cherry trees Ovstuzhenka are planted immediately, and with autumn planting, a two-week preparation is needed.
Recommended timing
In warm regions, autumn planting of Ovstuzhenka cherries is recommended for rooting, and at the latitude of the Moscow region, spring planting.
From the middle to the end of April, a site is prepared, seedlings are placed. By this time, the earth should have time to warm up.
Autumn time is mid-October. At the same time, the soil is not dry from the heat, but warm.
Choosing the right place
Cherry Ovstuzhenka is placed on the southern slopes (or southwestern), illuminated by the sun.
Requires a fertile (loamy, sandy loam) soil with a low groundwater table. Clay and sandy soil, peat are not suitable for growing sweet cherries. If, after all, the soil is clay, 2 buckets of sand are poured onto the bottom of the pit. And if it's sandy - the same amount of clay.
The soil must be raised by 50 cm. In this case, the groundwater must be at a depth of at least 1.5 meters.
Cherry plants Ovstuzhenka are placed for rooting at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from one another. Each tree is allocated 12 square meters. m or more.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
The key to full-fledged productivity is planting several cherries of a different variety (at least three) side by side.Pollinators should bloom at the same time.
The varieties are best suited:
- Pink pearls;
- Iput;
- Tyutchevka;
- Raditsa;
- Jealous;
- Bryanskaya Pink.
The effect is also achieved when cherries are pollinated by trees from a neighboring garden.
Behind the trunk circle, honey plants and siderates are planted. By mowing these plants, you get the mulch that nourishes the tree.
It is strictly forbidden to plant next to crops with a higher trunk height: apple trees, cherries, pears. Cherry Ovstuzhenka must have access to the sun.
It is not recommended to plant shrubs under the sweet cherry, as well as strawberries: the developed root system of the sweet cherry will not allow undersized crops to develop normally.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Growing sweet cherries Ovstuzhenka requires choosing the right seedlings, which are best purchased from a nursery or garden store. This guarantees the authenticity of the variety.
Pay attention to the following signs:
- The site of grafting must be clearly visible - an indicator of the variety.
- A sufficient number of branches.
- Lack of wrinkles and blemishes on the bark.
- There are no withered roots among the roots.
The tree should be one year old or two year old with a strong central stem and shoots. This is the only way to get a good crown in the future with sufficient branching for fruiting. Cherry Ovstuzhenka can break without a stable trunk under the weight of the fruit.
The purchased planting material does not require special preparation. It is more important to carry out work with the soil. However, it is important that the seedling is clean, without obstacles on the roots for "breathing" and nutrition.
Landing algorithm
Planting cherries Ovstuzhenka is traditional for all varieties of this culture.
- A stake is driven into the hole - a support for a tree.
- A hill is made at the bottom for planting the plant.
- Straighten the root system, raising the neck 5 cm above the ground, sprinkle it with earth.
- You need to shake the seedling a little to remove the voids, and then tamp the soil.
- A hole is made half a meter from the tree.
- Water is poured into it - 20 liters.
- The circle near the trunk is covered with straw, the tree is tied to a support.
- At the first pruning, 4 of the largest branches are left.
- Having placed the seedling in a favorable place, shoots are removed on the trunk at a level of up to 1 meter, due to which the crown is laid faster.
The barrel circle requires regular cleaning. And it is also necessary to water the cherries, avoiding dirt, stagnant moisture, otherwise the roots will not be able to breathe. Loosening is recommended (8 or 10 cm deep), including after rains, to maintain the fertility of the soil composition.
Follow-up care of the culture
- The cherry crown is formed by pruning. For this, the skeletal branches are shortened for 4 years. They are then thinned out annually and sanitized. At the same time, growth is somewhat limited, which makes the tree compact, convenient for harvesting.
- Watering in July - August is not advisable, as it reduces frost resistance and slows down the development of branches, and at other times it is favorable.
- Spraying is carried out against diseases and pests.
- Horse manure is considered the best top dressing, which is added to the soil in the fall. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are used, which accelerates development. This is urea, scattered around the trunk circle.
- After harvesting, the tree needs to be prepared for the cold season. To do this, in July or August, cherries are fed (potassium sulfate, superphosphate).
- Whitewashing the trunk in the fall will protect against frost damage.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Cherry Ovstuzhenka is characterized by the presence of immunity against coccomycosis and moniliosis. But at the same time, timely spraying is needed. It is treated with nitrophene, copper sulfate is used.
In the spring, the cherry will not be afraid of fungi.
By treating it against insects, the gardener will protect the tree from diseases that they can bring.
A well-groomed tree does not suffer from gum flow - the trunk circle must be kept clean.
Rodents are dangerous for sweet cherries. To protect against them, nets are used, spreading them over the soil surface around the trunk.
Conclusion
Sweet cherry Ovstuzhenka has 10 vitamins out of 25 necessary for a person in fruits. She is partly self-fertile, which is an advantage: the ovaries are always guaranteed. It is also an early and frost-resistant variety, very productive in the presence of pollinators. Such valuable qualities of the tree will surely delight the gardener as a result of proper care.
