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Cherry Assol is a mid-season productive variety, recently bred. Included in the State Register since 2010. The self-pollinated variety fell in love with summer residents for its unpretentiousness, drought resistance and frost resistance, as well as for universal fruits.
Many gardeners believe that varieties that do without pollinators still increase yields if trees of a similar type grow nearby.
Description of the Assol cherry variety
Breeders recommend growing Assol cherries in the Central Region. During the distribution, the variety has gained popularity in the Moscow region, but it is planted not only here, even in the Urals and Siberia, but also in the southern regions.
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
The Assol variety has a medium-sized tree, convenient for careful care and for picking fruits:
- rises to 2-2,5 m;
- the pyramidal crown is wide-spread, rounded, with slightly drooping or straight shoots;
- not prone to thickening;
- the bark of the branches is brown, smooth.
The tree is fast-growing – already by the beginning of fruiting, 3-4 years after planting, it reaches the declared height – no more than 3 m. The leaves are of medium size, somewhat elongated, obovate, of the usual dark green color, with a pointed top. Leaf blades are slightly wrinkled, dull, with finely serrated edges.
Without proper pruning, it can turn into a shrub, as shoots grow densely from below.
Description of fruits
Cherry berries Assol according to the description of the variety and photo of medium size – 4-4,2 g. The fruits are round, with juicy sweet and sour pulp. A small bone is well separated from the pulp. As part of the berries, 15% dry matter, 10% sugar, 1,3% acid are allocated. Tasters rated Assol cherry fruits at 4,7 points. Cherries in the phase of full ripeness cannot be left on the branches for a long time, because although they hold on to the stalks, they quickly lose their taste properties and the quality of their dense, elastic pulp. The Assol variety is suitable for planting in the southern regions, the fruits tolerate the sun well.
The skin of Assol fruits is dark red, the same color and pulp
Cherry pollinators Assol
The tree blooms in the recommended growing regions mainly by mid-May, the flowering period is short. The variety is self-fertile. Cherry authors indicate that this property of the tree does not affect the volume of the crop.
The main characteristics of cherry Assol
Mid-season cherry variety Assol, judging by the photo and description of the variety, is fruitful. From a medium-sized tree, 10-12 kg of juicy and tasty berries are harvested.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Since Assol cherry was bred for the central regions of Our Country, the tree has an average winter hardiness and at the same time is drought-resistant. The variety is suitable for cultivation in the 4th frost resistance zone, which includes many regions of Our Country. Wood withstands frost up to 30 °C. Like many cherry trees, Assol tolerates long periods of drought, but with regular, infrequent watering, yields increase significantly.
Productivity
The seedling is formed over 3-4 years. The first fruits appear on the 3-4th, sometimes on the 5th year after planting. At first, the yield is low, then after 2 years it increases to 7 or 10-15 kg per tree. Berries of the mid-season Assol variety are poured with juice by the end of June. Fruiting lasts until early July. Berries need to be picked quickly as they spoil, especially on rainy days.
The yield of cherries depends on:
- from the fertility of the soil;
- proper planting of the seedling;
- proper watering and fertilizing.
Juicy, soft cherries are not transported over long distances. Transportation for 100-200 km is possible:
- in small containers;
- in sealed packaging;
- if the berries are plucked with stalks.
Berries keep a trade dress till 20 o’clock. In the refrigerator – up to 2 days. Assol cherry fruits are universal in purpose. Used fresh as a dessert, and for various preparations.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners are attracted by the positive properties of the Assol variety:
- self-fertility;
- good yield;
- resistance to some culture-specific diseases;
- adaptability of wood to the climatic conditions of the Central region of Our Country, which includes such characteristics as frost resistance and drought resistance.
As a disadvantage, some gardeners note the excessive acidity of the berries. The reason for this property is illiterate excessive watering, rainy summers or the collection of fruits that have not reached the full phase of ripeness.
Planting cherry Assol
Compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology when planting a cherry tree predetermines its further development and fruiting. It is important to pay attention to each stage of the construction of culture.
Recommended dates
In the climate of the middle zone, it is recommended to plant cherries in the spring at the end of April, early May. During the summer, the tree takes root, grows stronger, grows its crown and subsequently easily endures the winter.
Having bought a seedling with a closed root system, it is also better to move the cherry to a permanent place at least until mid-June
Site selection and soil preparation
The Assol cherry variety is unpretentious, develops well and bears fruit on any type of soil, but the best results are obtained on soils with neutral acidity.
When planting cherries, you need to find a place in the garden for the tree that meets the following requirements:
- groundwater is not higher than 2 m to the surface of the earth;
- the site is sunny, not shaded by buildings and tall ornamental trees;
- not blown by northern winds;
- placing several cherries, they dig planting holes at a distance of at least 3-4 m so that the crowns of the trees are well ventilated.
How to plant
Quality cherry seedlings of the Assol variety are selected according to the following criteria:
- tree age – 1-2 years;
- height from 1 to 1,5 m;
- trunk diameter – 1,5 cm;
- on a tree at least 10 branches, up to 50 cm long;
- the length of the root processes is at least 25 cm.
In the selected area, a landing hole is dug up to a depth of 50-70 cm and the same width. A larger volume is chosen if a special substrate is laid on soils that are not favorable for cherries. On clay soil, humus, sand, peat are added to the upper fertile layer. If the soil is predominantly peat or sandy, clay and humus are mixed into the pit. 500 ml of wood ash, 25-30 g of potassium chloride, 50-60 g of superphosphate are added to the planting substrate.
Before planting, cherry roots are soaked in a clay mash for several hours. Selected growth promoters are optionally added to the mixture.
Features of care
The tree is not picky. With proper watering and top dressing, it shows a good yield.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
In the first year of growth, Assol cherries are watered 1-2 times a week. The trees are watered four times a month if there is no rain.
Superphosphate and wood ash are used as fertilizers, adding substances along the perimeter of the crown two to three times over the summer. Nitrogen fertilizers are used in early spring and after flowering. When ovaries are formed, organic matter is introduced – mullein, wood ash or complex fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium, which are bought in various proportions in gardening stores. The last top dressing is carried out in August with superphosphate.
In October, water-charging watering is desirable – up to 60-70 liters per tree.
Trimming
Cherry Assol is cut in the fall, removing damaged shoots and shoots from below. Formative pruning is carried out in February or early March.
Preparation for winter
In autumn, after sanitary pruning, the trunk of the bole is whitened with lime mortar. With the first frosts, the tree is wrapped with protective material from rodents. The soil near the trunk is mulched.
Diseases and pests
Variety Assol is resistant to scab, coccomycosis, and is relatively rarely affected by moniliosis. The tree may be susceptible to some other diseases, so in the spring they carry out mandatory prophylaxis. Cherries and the trunk circle are sprayed with copper sulfate, Bordeaux liquid or modern fungicides, which are also used in the initial stages of the lesion: Fitosporin, Poliram, Topsin, Horus.
Insecticides are used against leaf-eating insects and larvae of flies or beetles that damage berries. But more effective is early spring spraying and leaf harvesting in autumn, cleaning the bark where insects hibernate.
Conclusion
Cherry Assol belongs to the new self-fertile varieties, popular productivity and unpretentiousness to the weather conditions of central Our Country. The right choice of location and competent care provide an abundant collection of delicious vitamin berries.
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