Cherry is the favorite of many connoisseurs of tasty and healthy berries. Compotes and preserves are cooked from it, used to decorate dishes and prepare the most delicate dumplings, cheesecakes and various pastries. Modern varieties of this tree give sweet fruits, comparable in taste with cherries. Especially sweet berries are in black large cherries, but to get a plentiful harvest you need to know about some important rules for caring for it.
Black cherries with large fruits
Modern gardeners often prefer to grow cherries in their summer cottage, considering it less demanding on the conditions of detention. But the breeders managed to bring hybrid cherries, not inferior to her in taste and appearance. They have a spreading crown and large black berries, weighing up to 7 grams. Trees are divided into several groups, according to the ripening dates of the fruits. The mid-ripening cherries include Zhukovskaya, Kharitonovskaya, Black consumer goods, the late ones include Molodezhnaya and Turgenevka, and the early ones include Chocolate. These are small plants, mostly up to 4 meters high. Another variety - Black coarse, was bred by breeder A. Ya. Voronchikhina in the Voronezh berry nursery. It was obtained by crossing black cherry varieties of Zhukovskaya and consumer goods, therefore it belongs to mid-season hybrids.
Variety description Black large
The tree stands out for its spreading crown of a pyramidal shape. The bark on the shoots is dark green in color, on the trunk is gray, not cracking, slightly rough. Long shoots of small thickness, with large internodes. The foliage is large, glossy, dark green with teeth along the edge. The flowers are large, collected in inflorescences of 2-3 pieces. Petals are white in color, change to a darker shade by the time flowering ends. Berries of a large black rounded cherry, weighing 5-7 g. They are distinguished by the most delicate juicy pulp and a very sweet taste. The stone easily leaves, which facilitates the processing of fruits in the preparation of various dishes.
Hybrid features
A distinctive feature of this variety is a high yield and rapid ripening of fruits. Seedlings begin to bear fruit at the age of 6-8 years, the yield from one tree is an average of 20 kg of berries. The advantage of black large cherries is its frost resistance. The hybrid is able to withstand frost up to -34 degrees, while the branches will not suffer from cold weather. The variety withstands dry periods, which is important in areas with an unpredictable climate. The lack of moisture is almost not reflected in the crop. Large black cherries are distinguished by their universal application, and are equally successfully used both for the creation of jams or compotes, and for fresh consumption. Berries can be frozen in the freezer and stored for two months. Due to the early fruiting period, in early July you can enjoy the juicy fruits of this variety.
Variety disadvantages
The main disadvantage of the black large cherry variety is its low resistance to various fungal diseases. It does not tolerate excess moisture and is often infected with moniliosis or coccomycosis. The tree lives only 15 years, with age, the abundance of the crop decreases. Despite frost resistance, it does not tolerate drafts, so these plants are planted in areas protected from the wind.
Black cherry: planting and care in the open ground
To obtain an abundant harvest of berries, it is important to choose the right place for planting a cherry tree. It should be well lit and warmed up by the sun, but in rare cases, partial shade will do. It is best to plant a plant on the south side. It is important to protect the seedling from cold winds and choose a site where groundwater is not close to the surface of the soil. You should not choose the lowlands where water and melted snow stagnate. Planting cherries and care in the open ground begins with the selection of soil. Cherries are undemanding to the composition of the soil, but prefer light loamy or sandy loamy soil. The landing pit is prepared in advance, introducing with a break of at least a week, first lime, and then organic fertilizers, for example, compost. For 1 m², 400 g of lime and approximately 10 kg of compost are required.
The ideal planting time for Black Big Cherry is early spring. In mid-April, when the soil warmed up enough, and the buds on the trees had not yet had time to bloom, they began to dig a hole. Sizes are selected based on the root system of the plant. The standard width is usually 80 cm and the depth 60 cm. The excavated soil is mixed with humus, superphosphate, potassium chloride and wood ash. A peg is driven into the center of the pit so that its upper part is 40 cm above the soil, a part of the soil mixture is poured to the bottom and a seedling is placed on it. The root neck does not deepen, it should be 7 cm above the surface. Then the pit is covered with the remaining soil, rammed and made a recess around the tree to facilitate watering. A bucket of water is poured under the root, the soil is mulched with clerical errors, peat crumb or humus and the seedling is tied to a stick.
Caring for cherry seedlings
Care for a variety of cherries. Black coarse has its own nuances. Due to susceptibility to fungal diseases, the plant should be watered carefully, being careful not to flood the root system. This hybrid is drought tolerant, therefore it is better not to moisten the soil around it, than to overdo it and destroy it. The first time the seedling is watered after flowering, simultaneously feeding it. The second - when the fruits are tied up and grow a little. With a dry summer, additional watering will not harm the plant, therefore it can be increased up to 1 time in 2 weeks. At the same time, 2-3 buckets of water are consumed per tree. If the weather is rainy, the trunk circle must be carefully loosened to a depth of 15 cm, being careful not to touch the roots. At least three such procedures are carried out per season. The soil around the cherry should be mulched regularly.
Features of feeding and pruning cherry tree
It is necessary to form a large black crown of cherries - this variety does not tolerate thickening, and extra branches over 40 cm should be regularly removed. If the shoots are directed inside the crown, they are also removed. An adult tree retains no more than 10 skeletal branches. Periodically carry out sanitary and anti-aging pruning. This reduces the risk of spreading fungal diseases. Annual cherries are shortened to 80 cm, laying 3 main branches. Next year, the central part is shortened by 60 cm, counting the distance from the highest branch on the first tier.
How to collect a plentiful harvest of aronia
Large black cherries are not able to pollinate themselves, therefore, for the appearance of fruits, it needs neighbor varieties. The best of them are: Turgenevka, Zhukovskaya, Kent. The first fruits begin to be harvested in early July, without waiting for full ripeness. When the cherries on the tree darken, you can start to take them off. The easiest way to cut the brush next to the fastening of the stem to the branch. Without a stalk, cherries are poorly stored. With proper care and regular top dressing, the Black Big variety will produce up to 20 kg of fruits and supply its owner with enough cherries for cooking various dishes and preservation.