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To grow a beautiful garden on a small plot, many gardeners acquire columnar fruit crops. They do not take up much space, are unpretentious in care, harvesting is quick and easy. Cherry Delight is the perfect solution for a small garden. But before purchasing a seedling, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the external characteristics, find out all the positive and negative qualities.
Description of the columnar cherry Rapture
The columnar cherry of the Delight variety is a small tree with a compact root system. Thanks to this, it can be grown not only in open ground, but also in large flowerpots. But since this fruit crop is not frost-resistant and can die during severe frosts, it is not recommended to plant it in regions with an unstable climate.
Suitable for small yards
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
Cherry varieties Delight refers to the columnar, dwarf type. When grown in the garden grows up to 2 meters. The narrow pyramidal crown practically does not branch, so that the harvest is fast. In spring, small oblong, emerald leaves appear on the tree. In May, the fruit crop is covered with snow-white, fragrant flowers.
Description of fruits
According to the description, photo and reviews, the columnar cherry of the Vostorg variety bears fruit with bright burgundy juicy, sweet berries no larger than 15 g in size. The separation from the stalk is dry, the stone is easily separated from the bright red pulp with small pink veins. When overripe, the berry crumbles, so the harvest must be carried out in a timely manner.
Cherry Pollinators Rapture
Cherry Delight refers to partially self-fertile varieties. Without pollinators, the tree gives 50% of the possible yield. Therefore, in order to achieve maximum fruiting, pollinator varieties are planted next to the columnar cherry Rapture. Ashinsky hybrid is perfect for Rapture cherries. Since both species bloom in May, they will be able to pollinate each other, thereby increasing yields.
Main characteristics
Cherry Delight refers to conditionally columnar varieties. It is suitable for growing in small areas, in regions with warm winters. But before purchasing a seedling of Rapture cherry, it is important to read the description, reviews and view photos.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Pyramidal cherry Delight is not a winter-hardy fruit crop. Therefore, in regions with cold winters, the plant is not recommended to be grown. But if you like the variety, and the weather does not allow growing it without shelter, then the tree is wrapped with agrofiber for the winter, and the soil is insulated with a layer of mulch.
The root system of a fruit crop is located superficially, therefore, in a dry summer, the tree is watered regularly and plentifully. At least 1 bucket of water is consumed per plant.
Productivity
Cherry Delight refers to mid-season varieties. The seedling begins to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting. Berries ripen in mid-July, subject to agrotechnical rules, up to 35 kg of a tasty and healthy crop can be removed from an adult tree. The volume depends on compliance with the rules of care, weather conditions and the presence of pollinating varieties.
Since the berry has a juicy, sweet pulp, it is used to make compotes, preserves and jams. It can also be dried and frozen. For harvesting, choose a sunny, slightly windy day. The removed berries are put in boxes covered with paper. Without additional processing, the harvested crop remains fresh for a week if stored in a cool room.
The harvest will be to the taste of children and adults
Advantages and disadvantages
Cherry Delight, like any fruit crop, has its positive and negative sides. The pluses include:
- productivity;
- compact size;
- unpretentiousness;
- decorative look;
- immunity to many diseases;
- good taste.
The disadvantages include partial self-fertility and low frost resistance.
Rules of landing
In order for the garden to be decorative, flowering and productive, it is important to choose the right seedling and choose a site for planting. Also, fruiting, growth and development of a tree depend on compliance with the rules of planting and further care.
The seedling must be purchased from trusted suppliers or garden centers. A healthy plant should have a strong root system with no signs of drying out or rot. The trunk should be evenly colored, have a complete apical bud, bark without cracks and damage.
Recommended dates
Cherry Delight can be planted in spring and autumn. Spring planting is suitable for growing fruit crops in the Central region of Our Country. During the summer period, the cherry will grow roots, be able to adapt to a new place and safely go into hibernation.
Autumn planting is suitable for the southern regions. The seedling is planted in a prepared place a month before the onset of cold weather.
Site selection and soil preparation
Since cherries are heat-loving crops, the landing site should be located on the south side and be protected from the north winds. Cherry prefers loose, fertile and well-drained soil. The location of groundwater is 1,5-2 meters.
How to plant
Planting cherry seedlings is a crucial moment, since the growth and development of an adult tree depends on it. Landing technology:
- Dig a landing hole measuring 50×60 cm.
- A layer of drainage is laid out at the bottom: broken brick, expanded clay or pebbles.
- The excavated soil is mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers.
- The seedling is set in the center so that the root collar is located 5 cm from the surface of the earth.
- The voids are filled with nutrient mixture.
- The top layer is compacted, spilled and mulched.
The root neck should be above the ground
Features of care
According to reviews and descriptions, columnar cherry is an unpretentious variety. But this does not mean that the planted plant should be forgotten. In order for it to bear fruit well, it is important to timely water, fertilize, trim and prevent diseases.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Since the root system of a tree is superficial, it cannot extract moisture from the bowels of the earth. Therefore, a young seedling is watered 1-2 times in 14 days. In dry summers, irrigation is carried out weekly. The plant consumes at least 10 liters of water. An adult, strengthened tree is watered 4 times a season:
- during flowering;
- during the formation of fruits;
- after harvest;
- autumn, before the onset of cold weather.
Top dressing is carried out during the growing season. To do this, use nitrogenous fertilizers, diluted strictly according to the instructions. During the flowering period, a universal complex is introduced under the tree. After harvesting, the tree is fed with phosphorus-potassium top dressing.
Trimming
Cherry Delight is a columnar variety, so the tree does not need formative pruning. It grows almost vertically, without forming side shoots. But every spring, the tree must be inspected and dry, not overwintered, disease-damaged shoots should be removed. The procedure is carried out with a sharp, sterile instrument, the cut is treated with garden pitch.
Preparation for winter
Since columnar varieties do not have high frost resistance, the plant must be prepared and covered for the winter. To do this, a month before the onset of cold weather, the soil is abundantly shed and mulched with straw, foliage, rotted humus or compost. A week before the first frost, the crown is wrapped with agrofiber, burlap or spandex. To protect against rodents, a metal frame is installed or the trunk is wrapped with a net.
Diseases and pests
Cherry Rapture is resistant to many diseases. But if the agrotechnical rules are not followed, the tree can be affected by diseases and pests, for example:
- Cherry Weevil – the beetle appears in early spring. It feeds on the juice of swollen buds, without treatment it passes to flowers, leaves and fruits. If you do not take action in a timely manner, you can be left without a crop. Help lies in treating the tree with insecticides, diluted strictly according to the instructions.
- aphid – appears in large colonies on young foliage. Pests suck the juice from the tree. It weakens, lags behind in growth and development, productivity decreases. The leaf plate is twisted into a tube, dries up and falls off. To destroy the colonies, tobacco infusion is used with the addition of laundry soap.
- perforated spotting – an infectious disease affects young leaves, buds and fruits. The leaf plate is covered with brown spots, which dry out and fall out. For prevention, the tree is treated with Bordeaux liquid and colloidal sulfur.
Conclusion
Cherry Delight is a columnar variety, suitable for growing in small household plots. The tree is high-yielding, decorative and not whimsical. Subject to agrotechnical rules, 30 kg of tasty and healthy berries can be removed from an adult crop, which is perfect for preparing winter preservation.