Vasilisa sweet cherry: variety description and characteristics, cultivation and care with photo

Cherry is one of the favorite and popular fruit crops. When the trees are covered with fragrant white flowers, this symbolizes the onset of a real, warm spring. She will generously give delicious fruits to her owners, the main thing is not to make a mistake when choosing a variety. By the totality of qualities, the Vasilisa sweet cherry won popularity among summer residents and gardeners.

History of occurrence and region of growth

Vasilisa sweet cherry was bred in the early 2000s by Ukrainian breeders, headed by the honored agronomist - L. I. Taranenko. It is obtained from cross-crossing of varieties Donetsk beauty and Donetsk coal.The work was carried out at the Artemovskaya experimental breeding station. Cherry was created as a backyard crop, but over time it began to be used in industrial plantings.

The variety is zoned in the eastern regions of Ukraine, where in winter the temperature drops to -25 C, -30 C degrees, and in summer it rises to +40 C degrees. In a more severe climate, cherries will have problems with wintering, and flowering trees may be subject to severe frosts or spring hail

Pros and cons: is it worth planting on the site

Vasilisa cherry compares favorably with most similar varieties by a set of positive characteristics. But, of course, the variety also has disadvantages:

Positives:

high content of vitamins and trace elements in cherry fruits;
large, uniform and beautiful fruits;
berries of the variety are dense, elastic. They have high keeping quality and transportability;
versatility of the use of fruits, including suitability for commercial implementation;
ability to endure drought, relatively high frost resistance;
the variety has high yields;
adapting sweet cherries to various growing conditions and adverse factors.

Weaknesses:

if it rains regularly during fruiting, then a large percentage of sweet cherries crack. Berries are suitable only for processing, preferably at the place of collection;
in some cases, the berries do not gain enough sugar, canned products are tastier than fresh fruits.

Description of culture

When choosing sweet cherries, in particular the Vasilisa variety, you need to take into account its "adult" size, and also know which pollinator varieties will be needed.

Mature tree height and crown size

The variety has a high growth energy, in adulthood it reaches a height of 4-5 meters. It is desirable to carry out timely control of the growth of sweet cherries. The tree branches well, forms a dense, spherical crown. The branches are powerful, thick, slightly arched, brownish in color. The shoots are well leafy, the leaves are oval, egg-shaped, dark green in color, with a rich glossy sheen.

Pollinators, flowering and fruiting

The variety blooms in mid-April-early May. Pollinating plants are required for fruit set. These are other varieties of sweet cherry, the flowering time of which coincides with Vasilisa. It is desirable to have 2-3 trees on the site. Pollinators can be the following varieties:

Annushka;
Valery Chkalov;
Drogana yellow;
Starking;
Burlat;
Melitopol early.

Vasilisa begins to bear fruit at the age of 3, and comes into full force at the age of 4-5. Mid-season variety, fruits begin to ripen in the first half of June. With cold spring and cool summer weather, fruiting dates are shifted towards July.

The variety is characterized by high and stable yields. Depending on the age of the plant, the growing region, the soil and the agricultural technology used, the yield is from 25 to 50 kilograms. The variety does not lose its productivity for 15-20 years.

Vasilisa differs, first of all, in the size of the berries. Not only in the domestic, but also in the world assortment of sweet cherries, it is one of the most large-fruited. The berries are large and very large, elastic, fleshy, weighing 11-14 grams. Fruits of an excellent trade dress, leveled, beautiful, rounded shape.The skin is thin, but strong and elastic. The berries are intense red, scarlet in color, darken a little when overripe.

The pulp is firm but juicy, with a thick cherry flavor, slightly crunchy when eaten. The bones are small, easily separated from the pulp. Fruits of dessert taste, sweet, but without cloying, with light notes of wine. Tasting expert assessment - 4.0-4.5 points out of 5.0 possible.

Use and transportability of fruits

Due to strong, elastic skin and dense pulp, Vasilisa cherries have high keeping quality and transportability. Suitable for transportation over long distances. Refrigeration and transport in small boxes greatly increase this figure.

Vasilisa Berries of universal use. Sweet cherries are consumed fresh with pleasure, various compotes, syrups, jams are cooked from it, rolled up and even frozen for the winter. And, of course, the berries are commercially available in fresh produce markets.

Variety resistance characteristics

To save energy, money and time, the gardener must take into account the resistance of the selected variety to negative weather factors, as well as diseases and pests of cherries.

Resistant to freezing temperatures and drought

The variety has relatively good frost resistance. Moreover, both the shoots themselves and the buds are resistant to low (up to -30 C degrees) temperatures. The variety is not intended for cultivation in the northern regions. Vasilisa has good heat and drought resistance, but regular watering is simply necessary to get rich harvests.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

Variety Vasilisa is not one of the painful ones, but without preventive spraying, its disease with moniliosis, coccomycosis and fruit rot is possible. Cherry is also affected by such a pest as the cherry fly, the roots are gnawed by the larvae of the May beetle - Khrushka.Many birds, especially rooks, love to eat its fruits.

Cherry planting algorithm

For a high percentage of seedling survival, vigorous growth, high yields and fruit quality, it is necessary to select a place in advance and prepare a planting hole. And, of course, choose a strong, he althy seedling, with a strong root system.

Recommended dates and disembarkation scheme

The distance to the nearest trees when planting should be at least 4 meters. You can plant a plant with an open root both in spring and in autumn. The timing varies depending on the region, it is important to consider how early the hot weather comes or, conversely, the cold comes. Usually planted in autumn in September / October, and in spring - in March-April, before bud break.

Seedling selection and preparation

Not only the survival rate of the plant, but also the future yield depends on the correct choice of planting material. For planting choose well-developed, 1-2-year-old seedlings. It is important to carefully examine the tree and find a trace of vaccination. It will guarantee the grade of the seedling.

It is advisable to purchase planting material from reputable, trusted sellers. It is especially good if it is grown near the place of future planting. The roots should not be rotten, frail, damaged, with any growths. The preferred trunk diameter when choosing a seedling is from 2 centimeters. The tree should have a straight, smooth trunk and at least 3-4 well-branched branches.

Preparing the site and landing pit

Planting should be carried out in a well-lit place, previously cleared of weeds. Cherry prefers moist, loamy soils. First of all, a planting hole is dug, preferably 2-3 times larger than the root of the tree. Usually its size is 80x60 centimeters. If groundwater comes close to the soil surface in spring, then a layer of drainage is poured into the bottom of the pit.

Work technology

Before landing, a support peg is driven into the bottom of the hole, to which the trunk of a young tree is tied.A planting substrate is poured onto the bottom with a mound, a tree is placed on it, bent roots straighten out. The pit is filled with nutrient soil mixture, lightly compacted and poured abundantly with water. If the soil sank, then it is again poured and spilled with water. An excellent option would be post-plant mulching of the root zone.

Cultural care Vasilisa

In order for the Vasilisa sweet cherry to please the gardener with large, tasty berries for many years, it is necessary to follow the correct agricultural practices.

Irrigation

Vasilisa sweet cherry is sensitive to insufficient watering. Regular, plentiful irrigation is important during periods of active growth, when fruits are set, in hot, dry summer months and in the pre-winter period, before the onset of severe cold weather. Irrigation is carried out as the soil dries up. When watering, moisture should soak the soil by 30-40 centimeters.It is advisable not to pour water under the root, but to evenly moisten the root zone.

How and what to feed cherries

When top dressing cherries, phosphorus, potash fertilizers and organics are applied once a season - in the autumn. Suitable potassium chloride with a rate of 12 grams per 1 square meter and superphosphate, with a rate of 30 grams per square meter. Nitrogen fertilizers, in particular ammonium nitrate, are applied in 2 doses - half in autumn and the other half in early spring.

Loosening and caring for the trunk circle

For air access to the roots of cherries, as well as better moisture impregnation, regular loosening of the soil is carried out, as well as weeding or plucking weeds. The frequency of shallow loosening is at least 3-4 times per season. Depending on the type of soil, the number of loosening increases. An excellent agricultural technique would be mulching the near-stem circle with non-woven material (agrofibre), and especially organic matter.

Shaping and trimming

The variety has a strong growth force and branches well. Therefore, the gardener, if desired, must limit the growth of the tree by cutting the top at the right height. When growing sweet cherries, it is important to form a crown and carry out regular pruning of branches, which are shortened to half the length. This procedure is carried out in the spring, before the buds open. But small, diseased, withered and thickening crown branches are removed regularly.

Preventive treatments

To prevent diseases and pests, regular preventive treatments are carried out. Fungicides will help protect cherries from diseases - Copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate with lime), as well as Horus, Skor, Tilt .

To combat the beetle, the Aktara, Nurel D. root insecticides are used. And to combat the cherry fly, the soil is loosened near the trunk and sprayed with insecticides. Suitable Bi-58, Calypso, Fufanon. From birds, the installation of stuffed animals, rattles, protective nets helps.

Preparing for winter

In order for the tree to successfully overwinter, it is necessary to perform a number of agricultural practices. They consist in abundant pre-winter watering, sanitary cleaning and pruning, loosening, followed by mulching of the trunk circle, fertilization and chemical treatment.

How to propagate a tree

Cherry is propagated by grafting, as well as by rooting cuttings and layering. When propagated by cuttings, the yield of seedlings is high, but it will take at least 5 years to wait until a fruit-bearing tree grows from a small cutting. Cherry seedlings from cuttings develop somewhat faster.

The most effective way to quickly get good seedlings is the grafting method. Graft ripened cherry cuttings to strong, mature trees. This allows you to improve the taste of berries, frost resistance, disease resistance and yield.

Reviews of gardeners about Cherry Vasilisa

“I have been “friends” with Vasilisa cherries for a long time. I like the fact that it doesn’t get sick often, it doesn’t freeze in winter, and at the time of fruiting, the branches are strewn with delicious berries. We have to put up props!”

Svetlana Zemtsova, Volgograd

"Delicious, fruitful cherry variety. And most importantly - what large berries Vasilisa has. This is a sight to behold! And they taste good, you can eat fresh, cook compotes or roll them up. ”

Inna Chernova, Belgorod