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Juicy fruits of dark color, compactness of the tree, high winter hardiness – all this can be said about Rossoshanskaya black cherry. This is one of the most common fruit tree varieties, which has been successfully grown in many regions and regions of our country for over 20 years.
History of breeding
This variety was bred by planting a freely pollinated cherry variety at the Rossoshskaya station named after A. Ya. Voronchikhina. It is believed that this seedling was Black consumer goods, since the external signs of the tree and the fruits of both varieties are largely similar.
Since 1986 Rossoshanskaya black has been successfully planted on sites in the Central, Lower Volga and North Caucasian regions of the country. To date, this culture has been widely used, including on an industrial scale. Most often, the Rossoshanskaya black cherry variety can be found in the Volgograd and Rostov regions, as well as in the Central regions with soils rich in black soil.
Description of the culture
The variety grows on average up to 3-4 meters in height, the crown of the tree is pyramidal with a wide base. A distinctive feature of the Rossoshanskaya black is a rather weak foliage of the crown, moreover, with age, the tree becomes more and more bare.
The dark gray bark of the trunk has a characteristic smooth surface with an almost complete absence of cracks. Shoots are straight, sometimes slightly curved. The bark on young shoots is greenish-brown, after which it becomes gray and acquires longitudinal stripes at the base.
Oval-shaped leaf blades with a pointed apex, reach about 10 cm in length and no more than 5 cm in width. Like most varieties of cherries, the leaves are glossy on top, saturated green in color, and slightly pubescent below, with a grayish tint.
The inflorescence usually has two flowers, rarely one or three. The flowers are white at the beginning of flowering, and by the end they acquire a pinkish tint.
The fruits of Rossoshanskaya black have a rounded shape, slightly squeezed from the sides. The weight of one cherry is about 4,5 g. The color of the fruit is a rich dark cherry, almost black. The pulp is juicy, thick and fleshy. Cherry has a sweet and sour taste, which is why this variety is widely used in the industrial production of compotes.
Features
The following criteria are most often used to characterize cherry varieties:
- resistance to adverse environmental conditions;
- crop volume;
- timing of flowering and fruiting;
- resistance to various diseases and pests.
Consider the characteristics of Rossoshanskaya black cherries in more detail.
Drought resistance, winter resistance
The variety has high winter hardiness, tolerates low temperatures with a minimum percentage of losses (no more than 10% freezing of flower buds). Drought tolerance of cherries is slightly above average. With a prolonged lack of moisture and the absence of regular watering, the tree will begin to die.
Sufficiently high rates of resistance to low temperatures and drought make it possible to grow Rossoshanskaya black in many regions of Our Country and the CIS countries.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
Cherry Rossoshanskaya black belongs to self-pollinating varieties, but for a higher yield, it is recommended to plant other trees nearby. Unlike other varieties, flowering begins late, and the fruit ripening period occurs at the end of June.
yield, fruiting
Rossoshanskaya black begins to bear fruit 4 years after planting. At the same time, about 3-4 kg of cherries can be collected from one tree. The yield growth proceeds rather slowly, by the 7-9th year of the tree’s life, about 10-13 kg of fruit can be harvested.
A distinctive feature of this variety is the long-term preservation of fruits on the tree. When harvested together with the stalks, the cherry retains its marketable appearance for a long time.
Scope of berries
Due to high technological criteria (taste, pulp density, percentage of sugar content, etc.), the Rossoshanskaya black cherry variety has been used in the industrial production of compotes, jams and other products for many years.
Disease and pest resistance
Rossoshanskaya black has an average or low degree of resistance to coccomycosis and moniliosis. This variety requires regular preventive treatment of shoots and leaves.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the Rossoshanskaya black cherry variety include:
- the small size of the tree and the compactness of the crown;
- self-pollination;
- winter hardiness and the possibility of growing in many regions;
- high technological criteria of fruits;
- preservation of the crop during long-term transportation.
The main disadvantages, in turn, are:
- slow increase in productivity;
- poor resistance to diseases and pests.
Features of landing
This variety is considered resistant to low temperatures, but very severe frosts can lead to the death of most of the kidneys. That is why it is important to wisely approach the choice of place and time of landing.
Recommended dates
Like most fruit crops, it is best to plant cherries in the spring. This will prevent freezing of fragile shoots.
Choosing the right place
When choosing a place to plant a seedling, several principles should be followed:
- The site should not be in a lowland.
- Groundwater must lie at a depth of at least 1,5 meters.
- The future site for planting cherries should be protected on the north side from cold winds.
- It is preferable to choose sandy or loamy soil.
In addition, do not forget that the distance from the landing site to other trees or nearby buildings should be at least two meters.
What crops can and cannot be planted next to cherries
Cherry Rossoshanskaya black feels comfortable next to other fruit crops. But you should not plant this variety next to nightshade, as well as large trees such as birch, oak or linden. Also, cherries feel bad next to berry bushes, such as raspberries or gooseberries.
Selection and preparation of planting material
When choosing a seedling, you should pay attention to its appearance, the condition of the roots and shoots. The branches should be flexible, without cracks and creases, and the root system – without swelling, well formed and developed.
Before planting, remove all damaged or broken branches, as well as those shoots that grow towards the roots.
Landing algorithm
The main stages of planting Rossoshanskaya black cherries:
- Digging a hole. The pit should be at least 60-65 cm wide and about 45 cm deep. After that, it is necessary to spill the pit with 10-12 liters of water and leave until completely absorbed.
- If the soil is quite heavy, it is best to mix the excavated soil with sand. This will ensure proper drainage.
- A peg is driven into the center of the pit, next to which a cherry seedling is planted. Next, you should level the root system and gradually fill the soil.
- Within a radius of a meter around the cherry, it is necessary to mulch the soil with sawdust. This will prevent excessive evaporation of moisture and drying of the soil.
For greater reliability, it is best to tie the seedling to a peg.
Culture aftercare
All care for cherries consists only in watering, regular loosening of the soil, removing weeds, as well as preventing diseases and pests.
You also need to monitor the pruning of new shoots. About 40 cm of the trunk above ground level should be completely bare, without any branches.
Cherry Rossoshanskaya black should be abundantly watered 4 times during the entire growing season: after flowering, during fruit set, after harvesting the main part of the crop, and then in mid-October. For each watering should take at least 10 liters of water.
Additionally, about once every 5-7 years, lime should be added to the soil. And for better rooting before planting, it is best to add organic fertilizers and potassium chloride.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
The main pests and diseases affecting this cherry variety are presented in the table.
pest/disease | External manifestations | Methods of prevention and control |
Kokkomikoz | Rapid yellowing and dropping of leaves. | Excessive moisture promotes the spread of the fungus, which is why it is important to monitor the watering regimen. As a pest control measure, spraying with a solution of copper is carried out. |
Moniliasis | Burn lesions on branches, leaves and bark. | It is necessary to treat with fungicides, as well as to destroy the affected leaves and shoots. |
Green aphids and caterpillars | Characteristic traces of insect life appear, for example, gnawed leaves. | It is necessary to regularly inspect each tree and remove pests. |
One of the best ways to prevent many diseases is a timely and detailed inspection of the tree for pests, fungus, or other signs of cherry damage. Also, all diseased branches and leaves must be cut and burned to prevent the spread of the disease.
Conclusion
Cherry Rossoshanskaya black is one of the most attractive and delicious varieties. Its resistance to frost and periodic drought makes it possible to grow a crop in various climatic conditions. And the long preservation of fruits and high technological qualities make it possible to use this variety on an industrial scale.