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It is impossible to plant many trees in a small area. Therefore, the layout of the garden must be carefully considered and choose those crops that are most liked by family members. But whatever the site, there is always a place for cherries on it. Here it is already important not to get confused in the abundance of varieties. If you need a tree that takes up little space and is able to supply homemade fruits that can be used in preparations and eaten fresh, the Fairy Cherry will do just fine.
History of breeding
Variety Fairy created by O. S. Zhukov. Cherry was registered in 1993, and in 2010 included in the State Register. The originator was FGBNU them. Michurin. Fairy is a cherry-cherry hybrid obtained by crossing the varieties Coral and Premieres resistant to frost and coccomycosis.
Description of the culture
Fairy cherry forms a low tree that grows up to 2-3 m. Branches of medium thickness and density form a raised spherical crown. Elliptical dark green leaves do not differ in large size, they are attached to the shoots with reddish petioles.
White large flowers turn into pink one-dimensional fruits. Their size is average – only 3,3-3,5 g, rarely – up to 4 g, the shape is round, slightly elongated. Fairy cherry pulp is pinkish-yellow, tender, with a lot of juice. Tasting assessment of sweet and sour fruits – 4,3 points. The peduncle is short, of medium thickness.
The fairy cherry variety is recommended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region.
Features
All the characteristics of the Fairy cherry variety shown below are shown on nutritious or well-manured soils. It is grown in the Central Chernozem region. Of course, the variety will grow on poor soil, in cool regions, but will not reveal its potential and will require a lot of attention.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
Fairy Cherry has an average drought tolerance. Irrigation is not recommended, especially in hot dry summers.
For the Central Chernozem region, the variety has good winter hardiness, buds and wood can withstand frosts down to -27⁰ C. If the temperature drops below, Fairy cherry can get irreversible damage.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
Mid-early cherry Fairy in the northern regions during flowering will not be able to get away from return frosts. Its crop depends only partially on pollinating insects – it is a self-fertile variety. Therefore, even a single tree can produce up to 50% of the possible number of berries. But the best harvest will be if you plant Lyubskaya, Vladimirskaya, Turgenevka varieties next to the Fairy cherry.
In the Central Black Earth region, the fruits ripen by the end of June.
yield, fruiting
Fairy cherries have an average rate of maturity – only 3-4 years after planting, it gives the first crop. But then it bears fruit stably and on average gives about 83 centners per hectare. An adult tree annually brings 10-12 kg of berries.
Despite its compact size, self-fertility, tasty berries and consistently high yields, Fairy cherry has not become a commercial variety. This is primarily due to poor fruit transportability and semi-dry detachment from the stalk.
Scope of berries
Variety Fairy has a universal purpose. It is remarkable in that it is one of the cherries with the highest content of ascorbic acid (17,2 mg per 100 g of pulp). You can eat fresh berries, make jams, make juices, compotes and wine. Only you need to process the fruits quickly – they are not stored for a long time, the pulp is damaged during collection.
Disease and pest resistance
Fairy cherry is affected by pests in the same way as other varieties. But to fungal diseases, in particular, coccomycosis, it has a high resistance. She was transferred to the Fairy from the parent variety Coral.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cherry Fairy has many advantages:
- High resistance to coccomycosis.
- Universal purpose of fruits.
- In the region recommended for cultivation, there is high winter hardiness.
- Delicious berries.
- Compact size.
- Self-fertility
- Annual fruiting.
The main disadvantage of the variety is the difficulty of growing in regions with a cool climate and poor soils. It should be noted:
- Small berries.
- Semi-dry detachment from the stalk.
- Poor transportability of berries.
Features of landing
The main feature of the Fairy cherry is its high requirements for soil fertility. This is easy to achieve if you fill the planting hole with a large amount of organic matter.
Recommended dates
Fairy cherries are recommended to be planted in the spring, before bud break. In areas where frost does not occur for a long time, you can place it on the site after leaf fall. If the seedling was bought late, and you are not sure if it will have time to take root before the onset of winter, it is better to dig in the tree. And start planting next year.
Choosing the right place
Cherries are planted in a sunny place, protected from the cold wind. Groundwater should not come closer to the surface than 2 m. A hill with a gentle slope is well suited for culture.
Soil fertility is of great importance for the Feya variety. It can be improved by adding a large amount of organic matter. A neutral reaction can be achieved by introducing dolomite flour or lime into acidic soil.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Next to the Fairy, it is best to plant pollinating varieties – Turgenevka, Lyubskaya, Vladimirskaya. Despite the fact that the cherry is self-fertile, with such neighbors it will give the best harvest. Other stone fruit crops can be placed nearby.
It is impossible to place walnut, oak, birch, maple, shrubs with creeping, rapidly expanding roots next to cherries. Blackcurrant itself will develop poorly and oppress the culture.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Best of all take root 1-2-year-old seedlings. Their root should be well developed, without signs of disease and damage. A properly grown annual tree does not exceed 90 cm, a biennial tree – 110 cm.
Branches should be resilient, with intact bark.
Landing algorithm
It is better to dig a landing hole in the fall. Its diameter should be approximately equal to 80 cm, depth – not less than 40-50 cm. A fertile mixture for filling the planting pit is prepared from the top layer of soil, a bucket of humus, phosphorus and potash starter fertilizers (50 g each). Sand is added to dense soil, acidity is neutralized with lime, dolomite flour. Then:
- Stepping back a little from the center of the pit, they drive in a support to which the cherry will be tied.
- The seedling is set in the middle and covered with a fertile mixture, constantly compacting it to avoid the appearance of voids. The root neck should rise above the ground by at least 5 cm.
- Cherries are tied to a support.
- An earth mound is formed around the perimeter of the planting pit to retain moisture.
- The seedling is watered with 2-3 buckets of water.
- The soil is mulched with a thick layer of humus.
Culture aftercare
If the Fairy cherry grows in the Central Black Earth region, caring for it will not be burdensome. Only a newly planted tree needs regular watering and loosening of the soil. In the future, moisten the soil only with a long absence of rain. Autumn moisture charging is required.
Cherries need large amounts of nitrogen and potassium. She consumes phosphorus in modest amounts. All this can provide the culture with manure and ash. With mineral top dressing, it should be remembered that nitrogen is given in the spring, potassium and phosphorus in the fall. It is best to use special fertilizers, how to use them correctly is written on the package or in the instructions.
Cherries need to be trimmed regularly. So it will bear fruit better and be less affected by pests. Formative pruning is carried out during the dormant period, sanitary – as needed.
Cherries are protected from hares with spruce branches, burlap or a special net.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Fairy cherries are resistant to fungal diseases, in particular, to coccomycosis. To protect the plant from adversity, it is enough to treat it with a copper-containing fungicide over a green cone, and after leaf fall – with iron sulfate.
Of the pests, it is worth dwelling separately on aphids, which are almost always a companion of anthills that have appeared in the garden. They must be ruthlessly destroyed. With a weak defeat of aphids, cherries can be treated with a solution of laundry soap. If you miss the moment, and the pests have multiplied greatly, you will have to use insecticides.
Conclusion
Fairy Cherry is an excellent variety for small gardens of the Central Black Earth Region. Its fruits are good fresh and processed, besides they contain a large amount of vitamin C.
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