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Almost every gardener grows cherries in his summer cottage. But to get a rich harvest, it is important to choose the right variety. It must be adapted to climatic conditions, be high-yielding and have immunity to many diseases. Cherry Igritskaya is suitable for cultivation in all regions of Our Country, as the variety is unpretentious, frost-resistant, rarely exposed to fungal diseases and has positive qualities.
Description of Igritskaya cherry
Igritskaya cherry is a relatively young variety. A short-stemmed tree with spreading branches was bred by scientists at the Lupin Research Institute. The variety gained great popularity among gardeners in 2004. It is especially appreciated in regions with an unstable climate and cold winters.
Spreading tree, small
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
Igritskaya cherry forms a low tree about 2 meters high. In spring, the crown is covered with dark emerald, oblong leaves and snow-white flowers with a pleasant aroma.
Description of fruits
In the fifth year after planting, medium-sized semi-circular fruits appear on the tree. Juicy, dense, dark red flesh is covered with rich red skin. A small, oval bone is well separated from the sweet and sour pulp.
Pollinators for Igritskaya cherries
Cherry Igritskaya is a partially self-fertile variety, but without pollinating varieties, about 50% of the berries are tied on the tree. But in order to collect the maximum yield from a tree, experienced gardeners recommend planting varieties such as: Zhuravka, Vladimirskaya, Zhukovskaya, Lyubskaya nearby.
Main characteristics
Igritskaya cherry is an unpretentious, late-ripening variety. Before buying a cherry seedling of the Igritskaya variety, you need to view the photo, know the description and all the positive and negative sides.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Cherry Igritskaya is frost-resistant, without shelter it can endure frosts down to -30 ° C, so the variety is often planted in regions with an unstable climate. But in order to save a young planted seedling and grow it into a small, sprawling tree, winter shelter with peat, humus or rotted compost is required in the first years.
The root system of cherries is superficial, so regular and abundant watering is necessary in dry summers. At least 10 water is spent on an adult tree. Also, the cherry will like rain irrigation, which is carried out in the morning or evening hours.
Productivity
Igritskaya cherry is a high-yielding variety. Subject to agrotechnical rules, an adult tree is able to give 5 years after planting from 8 buckets and more tasty, healthy berries. The yield depends on the region of cultivation, the rules of care and the presence of pollinator varieties.
The harvested crop is suitable for making compotes and jams. But before cooking, it must be remembered that the stone contains toxic substances, therefore, before conservation, the berry is washed, and the pulp is separated from the stone. Also, the berry can be frozen and dried. The dried crop is perfect for making tea and healing infusions.
Dried berries are stored in rag or paper bags in a dark, dry place. Shelf life is not more than 1 year.
Due to the dense skin, the Igritskaya cherry tolerates long-term transportation well and retains its taste and aroma for a long time.
Ripe berries have a sweet and sour taste.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cherry variety Igritskaya has positive and negative qualities. The advantages of many gardeners include the following:
- high yield;
- immunity to fungal diseases;
- dessert taste and versatility in use;
- unpretentiousness in care;
- self-fertile;
- frost resistance.
The disadvantages include late fruiting.
Planting and caring for cherries Igritskaya
Igritskaya cherry is an unpretentious tree, so it can be grown both in warm areas and in regions with an unstable climate. But in order to get a rich harvest, it is important to follow the agrotechnical rules, choose the right place for planting and know the diseases and pests of cherries.
Recommended dates
Planting a cherry seedling can be done in spring and autumn. Spring planting is recommended for the northern regions, since during the summer period the tree will be able to grow a full-fledged root system and go into wintering stronger. In the fall, they are planted a month before the onset of cold weather. After planting, the trunk circle is abundantly shed and mulched.
Site selection and soil preparation
The health of the fruit crop, growth, development and yield depends on the right place. Cherry is a light-loving crop, so the landing site should be located in the sun. In order for a tree to quickly get used to a new place, it is important to follow simple rules:
- The distance between seedlings is at least 3 m.
- Plant a seedling only on the south side.
- The location of groundwater is 1,5-2 m.
- The soil should be loamy or sandy.
The distance between landings should not be less than 3 meters
How to plant
Planting a cherry seedling is not a difficult job, but in order for it to grow and develop well, you need to heed the advice of experienced gardeners. Planting a young tree:
- The sapling is carefully examined. The roots should be intact and a sign of disease. The bark is evenly colored, without cracks and signs of rot. Before planting, skeletal branches are shortened.
- They dig a hole 50×60 cm in size. The bottom is covered with drainage from broken bricks, pebbles or expanded clay. The excavated soil is mixed with humus, potassium chloride and superphosphate.
- At the seedling, the roots are straightened and set in the center. The voids are filled with nutrient mixture.
- The top layer is compacted, abundantly shed and mulched.
Features of care
Despite the unpretentiousness, Igritskaya cherry needs proper care for high fruiting. After each watering, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed. In spring and autumn, carry out sanitary and shaping pruning.
For good growth and development, acidified soil is mixed with lime or dolomite flour every 5 years. To protect plantings from pests and diseases, preventive spraying is carried out with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulphate.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Igritskaya cherry is a drought-resistant variety. Watering is carried out only after the topsoil has dried. Adult culture is watered 4 times a season:
- after flowering;
- during the period of active growth of ovaries;
- after harvest;
- a month before frost.
Irrigation should be plentiful, about 1 bucket of water is spent on an adult tree. In autumn, the volume is increased by 2 times.
Top dressing is needed for abundant fruiting. The first recharge is carried out 2 years after planting. The rotted compost, ammonium nitrate are brought in in the spring. Potassium chloride, superphosphate or wood ash – in the fall. Top dressing is applied strictly according to the instructions on well-moistened soil.
Trimming
Pruning is an important step in the care of Igritskaya cherries. It will allow you to form a beautiful crown, get rid of dry and damaged shoots, and increase productivity.
The first pruning is done 1-2 years after planting. Lateral branches are shortened, inside and vertically growing branches are removed. The procedure is carried out in the spring, before bud break or in the fall after leaf fall. Summer pruning is carried out only when necessary, removing damaged or diseased shoots.
Pruning is carried out in spring and autumn
Preparation for winter
Igritskaya cherry is a winter-hardy variety. But in order for a young seedling to endure wintering well, it must be prepared:
- The trunk circle is dug up, abundantly shed, mulched.
- The tree is fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
- The trunk is covered with a solution of lime, copper sulfate and PVA glue.
- After the first frost, the crown is sprayed with a 5% solution of urea.
- The seedling is covered with a non-woven breathable material.
- To protect against rodents, a metal frame is installed.
Diseases and pests
Cherry Igritskaya has a strong immunity to diseases and pests. But if the rules of care are not followed, the following may appear on the tree:
- Rust – Numerous rusty spots appear on the sheet plate. Without treatment, the leaves fall off, the tree stops developing and leaves weakened for the winter. There is no fruiting the next year. You can help the tree by spraying with copper chloride before flowering and after harvesting with Bordeaux liquid. All fallen leaves are collected and burned.
The fungus manifests itself in the first half of summer
- Coccomycosis – a fungal disease that affects foliage and fruits. Infection occurs before flowering. The foliage is covered with pale or bright red spots, over time it turns yellow and falls off. To combat the fungus, the tree is treated with 1% Bordeaux mixture.
Dangerous disease leading to the death of the plant
- Moniliosis – the disease appears after flowering. The bark is covered with a gray growth, the fruits rot, the branches crack, releasing gum. Treatment consists in treatment with broad-spectrum fungicides.
Yields are reduced without treatment.
- Aphid – an insect appears in early spring. Pests settle in large colonies, suck out the juice, the tree weakens, lags behind in growth and development. The fight is carried out with insecticides at a temperature not lower than + 5 ° C.
Pests settle on the inside of the leaf
Conclusion
Igritskaya cherry is an ideal variety for growing in regions with cold, long winters. Subject to the rules of care and preventive measures, the tree will please with a bountiful harvest. Due to its sweet and sour taste, the berry is suitable for preparing preserves for the winter.