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Summer is a wonderful time, because it gives not only warmth and rays of the bright sun, but also a bountiful harvest. One of the interesting and unpretentious plants is the Minx cherry. The berry is popular among summer residents, because it has unique properties and an unusual biochemical composition.
Cherry Description Minx
Cherry variety Duke Shalunya was entered into the State Register in 1997. From its predecessors, the plant inherited a high degree of productivity and good qualities of the fruits themselves.
According to statistics, judging by the description of the variety and reviews, every second gardener chooses Minx cherry. They give preference to this particular plant because of its attractiveness. The berry has a stable yield and pleasant taste. The culture is classified as mid-season, and the timing of fruit ripening depends on climatic conditions.
It grows best in the North Caucasus region. Naughty cherry was widely used in Ukraine. But some summer residents manage to grow it in the south of Siberia.
Height and dimensions of an adult tree
The tree is growing at a fast pace. Its height does not exceed 3-4 m. It has a spreading and dense crown. Shoots resemble straight lines, but not thick lines. Flowers are formed on bouquet twigs. The leaves are dark green in color and have a rounded elongated shape with a pointed tip. The edge of the sheet has small teeth.
Cherry Duke Minx refers to hybrids
Description of fruits
The Shalunya cherry variety is characterized by the presence of one-dimensional fruits, the weight of which does not exceed 6 g. The berries are distinguished by a rounded and compressed shape. Covered with shiny smooth skin.
If we talk about the color of the fruit, then they are usually burgundy. With prolonged exposure to sunlight, they become black. They may fall off on their own if they become overripe, but this does not always happen. The pulp is considered juicy. It has a reddish hue and a sweet and sour taste.
This variety is suitable for making jam, jam or compote. The fruits are enriched with vitamins and minerals in the form of folic acid, iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorus.
The fruits grow large, bright and juicy, the berries make delicious jam, jam and compote, you can eat it fresh, because the berry is rich in sugar
The berries are not firmly held on the stem, so gardeners quickly harvest. The fruits are highly resistant to frost. From one tree you can collect up to 15-30 kg. Tasting taste score – above 4,8 on a 5-point scale.
Pollinators for cherries Naughty
Naughty cherries are included in the category of self-fertile varieties. Some types of cherries are considered the best pollinators – Chernokorka, Samsonovka, Valery Chkalov and Vinka cherries. Plants can be planted within a radius of 40-50 m. But the closer the pollinator is to the tree, the higher the likelihood of fruiting.
Main characteristics
According to numerous reviews, we can conclude that the Minx cherry variety is considered a model of garden culture. The plant has high qualities and universal purpose. It is characterized by unpretentiousness and endurance to the effects of adverse factors.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Cherry Minx is considered a winter-hardy crop. But when growing, there are several restrictions. At temperatures up to 26 degrees, the shoots and the tree itself do not freeze slightly, but more than 50% of the buds in the flower buds die. During frosts in the spring, no more than 30% of the buds freeze out of the plant, so this variety is not always good for cold conditions.
Minx Cherry quickly adapts to prolonged lack of water, so the tree can be planted in areas that are prone to drought. Also, this variety is resistant to fungi that cause coccomycosis and moniliosis.
Productivity
Cherry Minx ripens towards the end of June. The first harvest can be harvested as early as 3 years after planting the tree. If you take care of the plant and comply with all agrotechnical requirements, then in 5-6 years the yield from one tree will grow to 10-15 kg of fruit. After 10 years, you can collect up to 35-40 kg of berries.
Advantages and disadvantages
Summer residents expose a lot of information with photos and descriptions about the Minx cherry variety. And this is no accident, because this berry, unlike others, has many positive qualities in the form of:
- the presence of large fruits that are distinguished by a good presentation;
- great taste in fresh berries;
- high quality processed products;
- high degree of productivity;
- frost resistance;
- drought tolerance;
- immunity to fungal diseases.
The tree has an average height, which is a definite plus
Despite all the advantages, the minx cherry has one main drawback – the plant cannot self-pollinate.
Rules of landing
In order for a tree to bear fruit, all conditions must be met when planting. Timing, the right choice of location and the subtleties of the process are important.
Recommended dates
In regions with suitable conditions, Minx cherry can be planted in spring or autumn. If the summer resident chooses the second option, then it is recommended to cover the seedling from above with a material that allows air to pass through. When planting a plant in the northern regions, it is better to choose the first option.
Site selection and soil preparation
To properly plant a Minx cherry, you need to correctly choose a place for it.
There are several conditions:
- Cherries are placed on a plot measuring 3 * 4 m.
- It should be well lit by sunlight. To do this, you need to plant a tree on the southern part of the site.
- Groundwater should not be located closer than 1,5-2 m to the root system. If the earth is very wet, the plant will freeze and will not bear fruit.
- The soil should be loamy or sandy.
Following all the recommendations will help the tree take root quickly.
How to plant
Tree planting also needs to be done correctly. Experienced summer residents give several recommendations:
- Before planting a seedling, it is carefully examined. If there are damaged, diseased or dry roots, then they are removed. Skeletal branches are shortened. Then it is necessary to dig a hole, the depth of which is 0,5-0,6 m.
- Before burying the roots, the soil is mixed with humus, superphosphate and potassium chloride. The root neck should rise 5-7 cm from the ground.
- After the tree is installed, the soil is compacted, poured with 2-3 buckets of water. The settled soil is irrigated and mulched with a layer of compost or sawdust.
If the gardener plants several trees at once, then the distance between them is at least 3 m
How to care for cherries Naughty
Cherry Minx needs care. Periodically, it is necessary to loosen the soil and remove weeds in a timely manner. Also, experienced gardeners regularly cut branches. Excess and weakened parts of the tree are harvested in early spring.
Proper care also lies in the good condition of the soil. If the soil is characterized by excessive acidity, then every 5 years it is recommended to fill it with lime mortar.
Care also involves protecting the plant from the development of various diseases. Although Minx cherry is resistant to fungus, it needs to be inspected constantly. For prevention, you can use Bordeaux liquid or a solution of copper sulfate. Before flowering, the plant is recommended to be treated with a special drug Skor.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
From the photos taken by gardeners and the description of the variety, it can be seen that the minx cherry does not belong to whimsical crops. But it is still necessary to water the soil near the tree at a certain time. Usually 4 waterings per summer are enough for this plant.
The first watering is carried out after the cherry blossoms. The second time you should water the roots during the period of active growth of the ovary. The next watering is recommended after harvesting, and the last procedure is carried out at the end of October.
You need to start feeding minx cherries 1-2 years after planting. Manipulations are carried out in early spring and in September. At the beginning of the new season, rotted compost, ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate are used. In autumn, potassium chloride and superphosphate are added. But it is worth remembering one rule – an excess of mineral fertilizers can also adversely affect the plant.
Trimming
The first pruning is carried out when planting a seedling. Lateral shoots are shortened to buds. The next treatment is carried out after 1-2 years.
6-8 years after planting the Naughty cherry, the main branches dry out. They should also be cut. Before this, it is necessary to prepare strong root shoots.
Pruning is one of the mandatory and regular procedures.
The process allows preventing an increase in crown density, increasing the quantity and quality of berries, and extending the life of the plant.
Preparation for winter
To increase the survival rate of Minx Cherry, it is necessary to properly prepare it for winter. As soon as all the foliage has fallen, gardeners perform sanitary removal of dry and side branches. If cracks have formed on the crown of the tree, then it is necessary to lubricate them with pitch.
The hole where the bush is planted is dug up and mulched with compost or sawdust. The trunk is covered with a solution of lime, copper sulfate and PVA glue. After the first frosts have passed, the bush is sprayed with a 5% urea composition. So that the plant does not freeze, for the winter it is covered with warm non-woven material. You should also protect the bottom of the tree from rodents. To do this, you need to wear covers made of durable fabric.
Diseases and pests
Minx Cherry is highly resistant to major stone fruit diseases. This variety rarely suffers from dangerous fungal diseases in the form of coccomycosis and minoliosis.
If we talk about the influence of rodents, then in winter it is recommended to protect the bark using traditional methods.
Conclusion
Cherry Minx – one of the unpretentious care plants. It gives tasty and large fruits. Berries can be eaten fresh or processed into jam, jam or compote. Despite the abundance of positive qualities, planted trees need appropriate care. It is necessary to regularly carry out disease prevention, protect the bark from pests, and fertilize the soil. If you follow all the recommendations, then the gardener will get a good harvest for a long time.