Content
Although new hybrids are constantly appearing on the market, older varieties of cherries remain in demand among gardeners. One of the proven varieties is Shpanka cherry, known for early fruiting and high yields.
Breeding history
The name Shpanka unites several varieties that grow in different regions. They were first mentioned 200 years ago. Initially, the variety appeared on the territory of Ukraine as a result of natural cross-pollination of cherries and cherries.
The new variety has become widespread. Her seedlings were brought to Moldova and the southern regions of Russia. Modern species of Shpanki grow in the Volga region, Moscow region, the Urals and Siberia.
Main varieties
There are several types of Spunk cherries. When choosing a particular variety, they are guided by the indicators of winter hardiness, yield and characteristics of the fruits.
Shpanka Bryanskaya
The variety is included in the State Register in 2009 and is recommended for planting in the Central Region. The tree is medium in size, with a rounded crown and straight shoots. Shpanka Bryanskaya has good self-fertility, is resistant to fungal diseases.
Fruits are round, weighing 4 g. They have a light red color and delicate skin. The pulp is sweet and sour in taste, gives a lot of juice. Tasting properties are rated at 3.7 points out of 5.
Early spank
The tree is about 6 m high. Cherry weighing 4-5 g, ripens early. Early spanking better than other varieties withstands long transportation.
Disease resistance is average. Frost resistance is about -25 ° С.
Large spank
The fruits are large, reaching a weight of 6 g, the main purpose is dessert. The seeds can be easily separated from the pulp. The fruits are not suitable for transportation, it is recommended to find their use immediately after harvest.
Shpanka Kurskaya
Cherry up to 4 m high, tolerates frosts down to -20 ° С. Fruits weighing 2-3 g, bright red, with pink pulp. The taste is sweet, there is no sourness.
Shpanka Shimskaya
A variety of amateur selection, often found in the garden plots of the North-West region. The most winter-hardy variety Shpanki.
A tree up to 3 m high. To obtain a high yield, pollinators must be planted. Even ripe fruits are pink in color and light yellow flesh. The mass of the cherry is 4-5 g. Up to 50 kg of fruits are removed from the tree.
Shpanka Donetsk
Differs in fruits of scarlet color weighing 10-12 g. Productivity from each tree is about 45 kg. The variety is resistant to temperature fluctuations, easily recovers after a cold winter.
Dwarf spank
A short tree, reaching a height of 2.5 m. Cherry weighing 5 g, scarlet. The average yield is 35 kg.
The variety is resistant to disease and cold down to -30 ° C. Dwarf shpanka is zoned in the central region of Russia.
Shpanka Krasnokutskaya
It became widespread in the North Caucasus. The variety begins to bear fruit 6-7 years after planting.
Spanka Kranokutskaya is self-fertile and not susceptible to fungal diseases.Fruit weight up to 4 g. Fruits cannot be transported.
Characteristics
Shpunk cherry varieties have similar characteristics. All of them bring a high yield, are resistant to diseases and pests.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Spunk cherry is drought tolerant and able to tolerate lack of moisture. However, the winter hardiness of the varieties is different. The most resistant to winter cold is the Shpanka Shimskaya variety, which can withstand temperatures as low as -35 degrees.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
The self-fertility of the Shpanki variety is rated below average. To increase yields, it is recommended to plant pollinators: varieties Griot Ostgeimsky or Ukrainian, Resistant.
Cherries are prized for their early ripening. The flowering and harvesting periods depend on the growing region. In the south, flowering occurs in May, and the harvest ripens at the end of June. In the middle lane, fruits are harvested in the last days of July.
Fruiting of Shpunk varieties stretches for 2-3 weeks. Fruits are formed on bouquet branches. It is recommended to harvest the cherries immediately after ripening as they begin to fall off.
Productivity, fruiting
The first harvest from the tree is removed 5-7 years after planting. On average, the yield is 35-40 kg. The maximum yield (up to 60 kg) is harvested from trees aged 15-18 years.
Scope of berries
Cherries of the Shpanka variety have a sweet taste, therefore they are used fresh. The variety is suitable for freezing, making jam, compote and other preparations. The fruits do not tolerate long-term transportation.
Disease and pest resistance
The Shpanka variety is resistant to the main diseases and pests of the crop. To protect the plantings, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatments.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pluses of Cherry Spunk:
- good drought resistance;
- taste of fruits;
- stable fruiting;
- high resistance to diseases;
- early maturation;
- long-term fruiting.
The main disadvantages of Shpunk varieties:
- low transportability of fruits;
- low early maturity;
- branches often break under the weight of the fruit.
Landing features
Cherries are planted in a chosen place that meets a number of conditions. Take into account its illumination, soil quality and crops growing nearby.
Recommended timing
For planting, choose the autumn period in late September or early October. Terms of work depend on the weather conditions of the area. It is important to plant a tree after falling leaves, before the winter cold snap.
Planting work can be postponed until spring. First you need to wait until the snow melts and the soil warms up. However, planting is carried out before the start of sap flow.
Choosing the right place
The place for the Shpanka variety is chosen taking into account a number of conditions:
- natural light throughout the day;
- lack of strong wind;
- fertile drained soil.
Cherries are planted in an open area away from fences and buildings that create shade. In the lowlands, the tree is exposed to moisture. For culture, choose a place on a hill or flat area.
Cherry prefers light soil, rich in nutrients. The tree develops well on black earth, sandy loam and loamy soil. If the soil is clayey, you need to add coarse sand to it.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Any varieties of cherries or sweet cherries are planted next to Shpanka. Cherries without problems near other shrubs and fruit crops:
- Rowan;
- elder;
- honeysuckle;
- plum;
- apricot.
The tree is removed from other shrubs by 1.5 m or more. Shade-loving herbs can be planted under it.
It is not recommended to place cherries next to the following crops:
- Apple;
- pear;
- birch, linden;
- fur tree, pine tree;
- raspberries, sea buckthorn, currants;
- tomatoes, peppers, potatoes.
The apple tree and other trees take a lot of substances from the soil and create shade. Cherries are planted at a distance of 5-6 m from them.
Selection and preparation of planting material
In the nursery, one- or two-year-old seedlings of the Shpanka variety are chosen. It is best to choose healthy plants with a developed root system, without cracks or other damage.
Before planting, the roots of the seedling are dipped in clean water for 3 hours. To improve the survival rate of the seedling, a preparation is added to the water that stimulates the growth of roots.
Landing algorithm
Planting procedure:
- A hole is pre-dug with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 60 cm.
- 1 liter of wood ash and 100 g of potassium-phosphorus fertilizer are added to the soil.
- Part of the earth is poured into the pit.
- When the soil settles down, they begin planting work. The seedling is lowered into a hole, its roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- The soil is compacted. The plant is watered abundantly with warm water.
Follow-up care of the culture
A cherry tree only needs watering when it blooms if a drought is established in the region. 4-5 liters of warm water are poured into the trunk circle.
Cherries are fed in early spring after the snow melts. For watering, an infusion of chicken manure or slurry is prepared. Before and after flowering, watering is performed with a solution containing 30 g of potash and phosphorus fertilizers.
In order for the tree to survive the winter, it is watered abundantly in late autumn. They spud the cherry and mulch the soil with humus. To protect the trunk from rodents, spruce branches, mesh or roofing material are used.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Cherries are susceptible to a number of diseases shown in the table:
Disease | Symptoms | Control measures | Prophylaxis |
Fruit rot | The appearance of dark spots on the fruit. Over time, the fruits are mummified. | Trees treatment with Topaz fungicide. |
|
Scab | Yellow spots on leaves that spread quickly and darken. The fruits do not develop and dry up. | Spraying trees with Bordeaux liquid. | |
Anthracnose | White dots on fruits, gradually developing into dark spots. Affected fruits are mummified and fall off. | Spraying with fungicide Poliram. |
In the table, the main pests of cherries are indicated:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Control measures | Prophylaxis |
Black aphid | Twisted leaves appear on the shoots. Aphid larvae suck the juice from the leaves and weaken the cherry's immunity. | Treatment of plantings with Fitoverm solution. |
|
Cherry fly | The pest lays the larvae, which feed on the pulp of the cherry. | Spraying trees with Kemifos solution. | |
Weevil | Red-yellow beetles 5 mm long, feed on buds, flowers and leaves. | The beetles are shaken off the trees and harvested by hand. Trees are sprayed with a solution of the drug Fufanon. |
Conclusion
Cherry Shpanka is an early ripe variety with delicious fruits. Its varieties are grown in various regions of Russia, valued for their yield and disease resistance.
Testimonials
