Cherry Lighthouse

In the northern regions, the issue of providing the population with fresh fruits is especially acute. Berries and vegetables can be grown in greenhouses, but planting a fruit tree indoors is problematic. Therefore, the creation of frost-resistant hybrids comes to the fore. Of the five types of edible cherries, only the steppe cherries can withstand extremely low temperatures. But her berries are small, sour – you can cook jam, but eat it fresh – there is little pleasure.

History of breeding

Ivan Michurin thought about the adaptation of sweet cherries to northern conditions. This species grows well in the south, and during significant frosts, cadmium and branch forks freeze near the trees. At the end of the XNUMXth century, Michurin created the first Duke – a hybrid of cherries and cherries, which he called the Beauty of the North. In the future, the scientist brought out several more varieties, the winter hardiness of which was satisfactory, but the taste and yield left much to be desired.

But that was only the first step. Today, duke breeding is on the path to creating winter-hardy trees that can endure both low temperatures and return frosts. Much attention is paid to taste, size of berries, yield. Since the combination of cherry and sweet cherry genes most often produces infertile plants, the creation of each successful variety is a real event.

One of the best duks is the large-fruited Mayak cherry. It was created in 1974 by the joint efforts of scientists from the Sverdlovsk horticultural breeding station N. I. Gvozdyukova and S. V. Zhukov. Michurin varieties served as the starting material for breeding Duke.

Description of the culture

Mayak cherry grows in the form of a bush with several stems up to 2 m high. The crown is sprawling, wide-rounded, with sparse branches, leaves of medium density. Small buds with sharp tips are located in relation to the shoots at an acute angle. The oval leaves of the Mayak variety, pointed at the end, are somewhat larger than the cherry ones.

Flower buds are located on last year’s growth and bouquet twigs. They are collected in 3, at the end of spring they form large flowers with white petals.

Lighthouse cherries are beautiful, large, weighing about 5 g, maximum – 6 g. The color of the fruit is dark red. The berries are rounded, slightly flattened along the seam. The light brown stone is well separated from the pulp, its weight is 6,2% of the total mass. In the Mayak variety, the juice and the middle of the cherry are red. The taste of fresh fruits is estimated at 4,5 points.

Overripe berries from the tree do not crumble, but may crack. The fruits will also burst from excessive watering during the ripening period or in rainy summers. It is not always possible to cleanly separate the berry from the stalk.

Features

Before the epidemic of coccomycosis, the Mayak variety was considered one of the best hybrids of cherries and sweet cherries created by domestic breeders.

Drought resistance, winter resistance

Cherry Beacon can endure prolonged drought. Her frost resistance is not bad, up to minus 30-35⁰. Although the variety was zoned in the Middle Volga region, it showed itself well when grown in the entire Middle lane, in Belarus and the Baltic states.

Pollination, flowering and maturation period

In the Sverdlovsk region, the Mayak cherry usually blooms by the last days of May. Berry picking begins on average – by the end of July or the beginning of August. The variety is considered partially self-fertile.

So that a lot of berries are tied, it is good to plant varieties Generous or Polevka nearby.

yield, fruiting

Cherry Mayak begins to bear fruit 4 years after planting. Its yield is considered average – an adult bush produces from 5 to 15 kg of berries annually. The fruits ripen unevenly, without damaging the pulp, it is difficult to tear them off the stalk.

Despite this, Mayak is grown as an industrial variety in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions. This is due to the convenience of picking berries – the bush is compact and low. Fruiting of own-rooted cherries can last up to 30 years.

Scope of berries

Mayak cherry fruits are large and tasty. They are eaten fresh, processed into jams, juices and other preparations. The pronounced sourness makes the taste of the berries of this Duke more like cherry, but it also allows you to cook wine from the Mayak variety.

Commercially grown fruits are more often processed than sent to retail chains. The berries come off the stem with part of the pulp and are poorly transported.

Disease and pest resistance

Despite the high taste qualities, Mayak cherry is gradually being replaced in private and industrial gardens by other varieties. This is due to the strong susceptibility of Duke to coccomycosis.

Of the pests, aphids and the slimy sawfly are dangerous.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the Mayak cherry variety include:

1. Good taste – score of tasters 4,5 points.
2. The variety is able to endure prolonged drought.
3. Opportunity to grow Mayak cherries in Siberia.
4. Large fruit.
5. After ripening, the berries do not crumble.
6. The fruits can be eaten fresh or processed.
7. Ease of picking berries due to the compact habit of the bush.
8. Productive longevity of cherries.
9. Partial selfishness.

The Mayak variety has many disadvantages:

1. Low resistance to coccomycosis.
2. Low yield.
3. Wet detachment of the berry from the stalk, which reduces transportability and keeping quality.
4. Tendency of fruit to crack.
5. Uneven ripening of the crop.
6. Insufficient winter hardiness.
7. High risk of pest infestation.

Features of landing

The Mayak cherry variety is zoned in the Middle Volga region, but grows well in other areas if the temperature in winter does not fall below 35 degrees.

Dates and place of landing

In Siberia, cherries should be planted in early spring before the buds open. During the growing season, it will take root and get stronger, which will allow the bush to safely survive the winter.

It is best to plant the Mayak variety on a well-lit western, northwestern or southwestern slope (no more than 15 degrees). Groundwater should not come closer to the surface than 2 m.

Cherry loves well-manured light loams with a neutral reaction.

Selection and preparation of planting material

To purchase high-quality planting material, you need to take it directly from a nursery or a trusted distribution network. When buying seedlings from your hands, you risk getting an unknown variety. In addition, a tree can be grown in the south, and will die in the first winter.

Pay attention to the height of the stem. A one-year-old seedling should not exceed 80 cm, a two-year-old – 110 cm. A tree that stretches up to one and a half meters, and even with a greenish bark, is clearly overfed with nitrogen or stimulants.

The root of the seedling should be well developed, with a thick central process and many thin lateral ones.

Landing algorithm

Immediately before planting, the cherry root should be soaked in water for at least three hours. The seedling is placed at a distance of at least 2,5-3 m from other trees – the crown should be evenly illuminated by the sun.

Cherry planting is carried out in the following sequence:

1. A hole is dug with a diameter of about 80 cm, a depth of 60 cm.
2. At the same time, the upper fertile soil layer is thrown aside, mixed with a bucket of humus, potash and phosphorus fertilizer (50 g each). If the soil is acidic, add dolomite flour or lime.
3. The hole is completely filled with water. Landing is started only when the liquid is completely absorbed.
4. Stepping back a little from the middle, they drive in a strong peg for a cherry garter.
5. The seedling is set in the center of the pit and covered with a mixture of soil, fertilizers and humus. The soil is constantly carefully rammed with a shovel handle. The root neck should protrude to a height of 5-7 cm from the soil level.
6. The seedling is tied to a peg, a roller of earth is poured around the pit.
7. Cherries are watered abundantly. This will require at least 2 buckets of water.
8. The trunk circle is covered with a thick layer of humus.

Culture aftercare

In order for the seedling to take root, it must be well watered. It doesn’t matter that the Mayak variety is drought-resistant – it needs a lot of water to root in the first year. When the top layer of the soil dries out a little, loosen it – this is called dry watering. Mulch the soil to prevent evaporation of moisture and protection from overheating.

Further care is to remove weeds, watering in especially dry weather. Variety Mayak is prone to cracking, so all soil moisture is stopped 3 weeks before the expected harvest.

The best fertilizers for cherries are humus and ash. Annual mulching of the near-stem circle with waste products of cattle and burnt plant residues will provide the plant with all the necessary substances. If you use mineral fertilizers, remember that cherries need a lot of nitrogen and potassium, but the culture consumes little phosphorus.

In autumn, the tree must definitely get a good moisture charge – this will help it to winter better. A thick layer of mulch will keep the roots from freezing. If the Mayak variety is planted north of the Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk regions, the bush, especially the young one, must be covered with spruce branches. You can tie it with burlap or other covering material.

Diseases and pests

Cherry Mayak is susceptible to coccomycosis, other fungal diseases. If you have chosen this variety for your garden, preventive treatments with copper and iron oxides will have to be carried out. Malicious insects also annoy cherries. They are fought with insecticides.

The characteristics of the Mayak cherry variety are controversial. It has attractive properties for gardeners, such as high palatability, and disadvantages, for example, a high probability of infection with coccomycosis. Everyone must determine for himself whether it is worth planting a duke on his site.

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