Cherry can be found in most gardens and cottages throughout the country. At the same time, as a result of breeding work, dozens of new varieties have appeared, sometimes significantly different from each other. This article will talk about such an interesting variety as Chocolate Cherry, its features and conditions of care.
Variety description
Cherry Shokoladnitsa is the result of crossing varieties Lyubskaya and Consumer goods black. Chocolate is a young variety, bred in 1996. Its advantages: winter-hardy, has a high yield, self-fertile.
Chocolate Cherry usually does not grow above 2,5 meters (pictured), the crown of the tree does not differ in density, the leaf is ordinary obovate, with a sharp base, a blunt top and a matte green surface. The bark is grey-brown.
The tree brings the first harvest in the 4th year of life. Usually the flowering time is May, and the berries ripen by mid-July. From the description we conclude that this is an early cherry.
The fruits of Shokoladnitsa (pictured) resemble in appearance and taste ordinary cherries growing in the southern regions of Ukraine – they are maroon in color (perhaps this is where the name of the variety comes from – the color of ripe cherries strongly resembles chocolate) and sweet, with a slight sourness. The average weight of berries is 3,5 g, the stone is relatively small and makes up 8% of the weight of the berry. In this case, the bone is well separated. The harvest collected from one tree is about 11,5 kg of fruit.
However, the variety also has disadvantages: Chocolate is susceptible to fungal diseases such as moniliosis and coccomycosis.
Growing conditions
The variety, according to the description, was originally bred for propagation in the gardens of the Central region of Our Country. Like most other cherries, it prefers slightly acidic, neutral, light sandy loam soils that are rich in nutrients and have good drainage. Before planting, the land is fertilized with humus or manure. It does not take root well in areas with groundwater passing close to the surface, as well as in wet lowlands. This cherry is very fond of the sun and a warm climate, so it is recommended to plant it on the southern border of the cottage or garden, well-lit by the sun, so as not to be in the shade of other trees. The tree can grow and bloom in the shade, but the yield is significantly reduced.
Planting seedlings (the diagram is shown in the photo) usually takes place in mid-spring (April) or early autumn (September). The pit can be prepared immediately before planting or in advance. Traditionally, as for most cherries, the width of the dug pit should not be less than 60-70 cm, and the optimal depth should be 60 cm. Sprinkle the bottom of the pit with soil fertilized with ash or humus, place the seedling and fill it up. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the roots of the plant do not bend or break. The seedling should be watered with settled water and after the soil has settled, adjust the location of the neck of the trunk so that it does not go deep into the ground and is not located high above the ground. The ideal option is 3-4 cm from the surface. Then the trunk circle should be mulched with a mixture of sawdust and humus.
Cherry Planting Scheme
Features of care
Cherry needs regular care. It should be noted: although Chocolate Cherry is a self-pollinating plant, experts recommend planting an additional pollinator nearby in order to increase crop volumes. For this purpose, ordinary varieties of cherries, as well as cherry Vladimirskaya, Griot or Sklyanka, are perfect.
If you plant a garden with several trees of this variety, then keep a distance of 2-3 m between seedlings. The annual growth of Chocolate is at least 0,7 m.
Agrotechnics includes regular activities for watering, pruning, fertilizing, loosening, weeding the soil around the seedlings. In early spring, pruning is carried out 3-4 weeks before the start of the bud swelling process. Fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers is carried out in the spring, and with phosphorus and potash fertilizers in the fall. Mineral fertilizers are recommended to be applied during the growing season, before the plant begins to bloom.
The tree is generously watered at the flowering stage and when the berries begin to ripen (watering patterns are shown in the photo). During this period of time, up to 3-4 buckets of water are poured under the tree.
It is worth noting that the tree can tolerate not only severe frosts, but also drought, without watering for quite a long time due to a well-developed root system.
Due to the weakness of the Chocolate Girl before fungal infections, it is necessary to regularly check the crown in search of diseased leaves and branches., and if found, remove them and spray with antibacterial drugs.
The description of the features will not be complete unless it is clarified that in winter the bark of a tree is very fond of trying on the tooth rodents – therefore, in winter it is advisable to wrap the trunks with a cloth.
Cherry Chocolatnitsa is a perfect example of the art of selection. The variety turned out with excellent agrotechnical qualities. And if you know the intricacies of caring for this cherry, you are guaranteed 12 kg of harvest from each tree.
Video “Care for cherry trees”
This video will show you how to care for cherry varieties.