Cherry varieties for the Leningrad region: 17 best with descriptions, cultivation and care

Heat-loving fruit trees in the Soviet Union were planted in Moldova and Ukraine, the Krasnodar Territory and Voronezh, where they were engaged in the cultivation of berries and fruits on an industrial basis. Neither cherries, nor apricots, nor peaches took root in the middle latitudes. Russian breeders decided to develop fruit trees that would not require a lot of sun and withstand frost. The work was carried out for years, but varieties of sweet cherries were created, which give a harvest in the Leningrad Region, although they were not included in the State Register.

Features of growing trees in the Northwest region

In winter, in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, and in the entire region there are no severe frosts, it is softened by proximity to the sea. In summer, the weather changes dramatically, it often rains. A serious obstacle to the cultivation of sweet cherries in the North-West turned out to be that most varieties did not pollinate on their own, and in order for the tree to bear fruit, it was necessary to plant at least 2 winter-hardy berry plants.

Self fertile

Ovary on fruit trees is abundantly laid when the same temperature is kept, there are no sharp jumps, the weather is dry. For self-fertile varieties, the neighborhood of pollinators is not necessary, but when several trees are planted nearby, the yield increases significantly. Sweet cherries take root in the Leningrad region:

1. Goryanka. Pleases with burgundy berries with sweet and juicy pulp. The plant is not afraid of frost, but does not withstand prolonged drought.
2. Hotel. The rootstock for the variety created by Belarusian breeders is cherry. A disease-resistant tree produces orange fruits with an average weight of 6g.
3. Astakhov's favorite. The culture develops rapidly, gives a stable crop of large burgundy cherries. Individual berries weigh over 8g

In the Leningrad region, an early variety Bereket is planted, the flowers of which do not require the proximity of pollinators. The tree survives cold winters but suffers from moniliosis.

Short

In the North-West, it is better to plant low cherries up to 3.5 m tall. It is easier to take care of such plants, it is easier to process them from pests. The cuttings are grown on a dwarf rootstock, and the tree, barely reaching 2.5 m in height, tolerates severe frosts without problems. Berries on sweet cherries are laid in the 4th year, but after 10 it is already necessary to change the stock.

Ovstuzhenka variety feels comfortable in the Leningrad region. In gratitude for the care, the tree rewards with dark red berries that do not crack in wet weather. The low-growing Raditsa cherries produce large, sweet fruits and are immune to fungal infections caused by Ascomycetes.

Winter hardy

Although southern cultures love warmth, Russian breeders have managed to create hybrid varieties that do not die in short-term frosts up to 32 °C. In the North-West, in autumn, sweet cherries are plentifully watered, the near-stem circle is covered with peat, spruce branches, and humus.

Zorka variety has increased winter hardiness. Medium-sized orange berries ripen early on a tall tree. Withstands very low temperatures:

• Bryanochka;
• Tyutchevka;
• Leningrad yellow.

The beautiful and tall Fatezh cherry tree, in addition to winter hardiness, is immune to fungal infection. Red-orange sweet berries have a sour taste.

How to plant correctly

In order for the tree to develop, the fruits to ripen, it must be placed on a site where the heat-loving culture will be comfortable.

Choosing a seat

Cherry is demanding on lighting, it bears fruit well if it grows in the sun. When placing a seedling, you need to ensure that the shadow from other trees does not fall on it. For a heat-loving culture, it is advisable to choose a place on the southern slope, closed from the northern winds. A fruit plant does not take root in lowlands, swampy areas where cold air accumulates.

Bad neighbors

It is better to plant sweet cherries, even of a self-fertile variety, next to the same stone fruit crop as itself.

Apple tree

Many summer residents place plants on the site, not taking into account compatibility. The leaves of trees and shrubs emit components that can deplete the soil and change its composition. The apple tree takes away nutrients and moisture from the sweet cherry, preventing it from growing and developing.

Pear

Drupaceous crops should not be placed near fruit trees, the roots of which secrete a large number of compounds. They do not get along well with a pear.

Plum

Cherry develops normally, grows and bears fruit next to the cherry, which acts as a pollinator, and with mountain ash, a lot of berries are laid and everything ripens. It is not recommended to plant plum, which has a weaker root system, along with the southern crop.

Dig a hole

Cherry loves loose earth, does not survive in areas where water comes close to the surface.The pit for the tree should stand for a month or 3 weeks. If planting is done in the spring, in the fall you need to dig a hole to a depth of 60 cm and a diameter of about a meter. Fertile soil is combined with 2 buckets of humus, 60-80 g of potassium s alt and superphosphate are added. The pit is filled 2/3 with the mixture and watered.

Landing

Cherries are placed from fruit crops at a distance of 5 meters. The leaves are cut off from the tree, the roots are lowered into the water for 6 hours. At the bottom of the pit, a small mound is made, a seedling is placed vertically on it, sprinkled with soil on top. The soil is compacted and watered abundantly. The trunk circle is covered with mulch.

Transportation

Seedlings must be purchased from a nursery or wildlife sanctuary. Sweet cherries are grafted onto Vladimir cherry or other varieties that are not afraid of the cold. A tree that is a year or 2 old takes root well. For transportation over a long distance, the roots are wrapped with wet newspapers in 3-4 layers, packed in plastic wrap, or simply covered with sphagnum moss.

Growing Tips

If you choose winter-hardy varieties, plant cherries in a favorable place, carefully care for them, protect them from pests, and prevent diseases, it is quite possible to harvest sweet and fragrant berries even in the Northwest.

Fertilizer

Since minerals are poured into the pit when planting cherries along with humus, the tree is fed for the first time in a year or two. In the spring, they are watered with diluted rotted manure or fertilized by dissolving 2 tbsp in a bucket of water. spoons of urea.

When flowers appear on the sweet cherry, potassium s alt with superphosphate is added in liquid form. Once every three years, the earth in the near-trunk circle is dug up, compost or humus is planted in the soil.

Cutting

In the spring, 3 weeks after planting the tree, the side branches and the top are shortened by half.The central trunk is made 20 cm longer than the rest of the shoots. A crown is formed in 2 or 4 tiers, consisting of 3 branches. Every year, weak growths are cut out, dry and broken shoots are removed.

Severe frosts lead to the death of the kidneys. Only when the leaves bloom, get rid of frozen branches. Places of cuts are covered with garden pitch or paste. Affected trees are fed with fertilizers containing nitrogen.

Diseases and pests

Cultivars bred for growing in cool climates are immune to viruses, but in wet weather they are affected by fungi that cause perforated spotting and gray mold. To prevent the activation of pathogenic microorganisms, after flowering, the trees are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid or blue vitriol. The second processing is started by collecting the berries.

For the prevention of perforated spotting in early spring, sweet cherries are sprayed with Nitrafen.

Drugs growing in the cool climate of the Northwest under attack:

• sawflies;
• leaflet;
• cherry flies.

To cope with harmful insects, in early spring and several times trees are sprayed with insecticides - Iskra, Actellik, treated with Karbofos. Nets, stuffed animals, shiny disks that are hung on trees help protect the berries from starlings and sparrows.

Crop rationing

In the Leningrad region, the fruits of stone fruit crops do not always have time to ripen. To speed up the ripening of cherries, cut off the excess ovary. The first flowers that appear on young plants are completely removed.

How to choose seedlings

When buying a tree for growing in a summer cottage or in the yard, you need to carefully consider it.It is necessary to acquire sweet cherries with a smooth, even trunk and root neck without damage. There should be no spots, plaque, traces of insects on the leaves. Buy fruit trees that are adapted to the local climate.

Best varieties

Cold-resistant cherries, created by Russian breeders for cultivation in mid-latitudes, are suitable for planting in the Leningrad region.

Seda

The variety, the fruits of which are ripe at the end of July, is not afraid of diseases, does not attract pests very much. On a tall tree with a crown like a ball, berries ripen with a shiny dark red skin.

Yugra

Sweet and sour small fruits in the form of a heart pleases with medium height. The plant has a flat shape, withstands frost and slush.

Red thick

Tall tree normally tolerates low temperatures, but is affected by fungal diseases. Yellow berries with a beautiful blush weigh a little less than 5 g.

Leningrad pink

Tall tree, whose branches form a dense crown, begins to bear fruit after 5 years, requires pollinators. Cherry ripens in the middle of summer, acquires a beautiful pink hue. Up to 2 buckets of berries weighing just over 3 grams are picked from one tree.

Muscat

By crossing the Severnaya and Pobeda varieties, breeders created a winter-hardy sweet cherry that bears fruit well on a wild cherry rootstock. Almost black, heart-shaped berries have a sweet taste and aroma of nutmeg.

Chermashnaya

The trunk and branches of a medium-sized tree are not afraid of frost. The variety bears fruit well in temperate climates, with the right choice of location it pleases with a harvest in the Northwest. Yellow berries are picked in June. They weigh 4.5-4.7 g, have juicy and sweet pulp.

Valery Chkalov

Early ripe cherries, bred in the 50s, are still popular among summer residents and gardeners. A tree with a pyramidal crown grows up to 6 meters in height. The weight of dark red berries reaches 8 g. The branches withstand low temperatures, but the buds freeze slightly at 23 ° C frost.

Leningrad black

A tree with a spreading crown begins to bear fruit already in the 3rd year. Berries weighing up to 3.5 g, when ripe, acquire a dark cherry or almost black color. Compotes are made from them, juices and tinctures are made.

Vityaz

Cherry, created on the basis of the Valery Chkalov variety in Belarus, is characterized by high yields and frost resistance. Dark red small fruits have juicy pulp, ripen by mid-July.

Revna

Cherry with a pyramidal crown is immune to fungal diseases, normally tolerates cold and damp weather. Dark red berries weighing 4.6-4.8 g do not crack from moisture, are covered with a dense skin.

gift to Stepanov

A frost-resistant variety, bred just a few years ago, bears fruit in the northern regions, is unpretentious in care, pleases with a stable harvest of berries weighing up to 5 g, covered with a shiny burgundy skin.

Dawn

Cherry, created for cultivation in the Leningrad region and in the Moscow region, does not suffer from severe frosts, endures a short drought.

Up to 30 kg of beautiful orange berries are removed from the tree, which are not damaged during transportation, as they are covered with thick and dense skin.

Leningrad yellow

Unpretentious variety is characterized by rapid growth, but bears fruit only in the fifth year. Amber-colored berries hang on a tree with spreading branches until the beginning of autumn.

Bryanochka

The trunk and shoots of self-fertile cherries easily withstand frost, do not suffer from coccomycosis.The flowers of a tree growing up to 3-3.5 m in height are well pollinated if the Tyutchevka or Ovstuzhenka varieties are planted nearby. Sweet berries of pink color do not crack in damp rainy weather, ripen at the end of July. One tree produces up to 30 kg of fruit.

Fatezh

Cherry with a spherical crown and drooping shoots withstands severe frosts, but the flower buds near the tree freeze slightly. In order for the plant to be pollinated, self-fertile varieties are planted nearby. Small sweet and sour berries weighing about 4 g are ripe in the 20th of July.

Tyutchevka

A 4 m high cherry tree begins to bear fruit in the fourth year. The plant is not afraid of frost, withstands drought, resistant to fungal infection.

The berries of the Tyutchevka variety have an original wide shape, sweet dark red flesh. Thick stalks easily fall behind, the crop tolerates transportation well.

And the path

Cherry of this variety forms a wide-pyramidal crown. Tree buds do not freeze at 31-32 ° C frost. Berries ripening in the second half of June have a small stone, which easily falls behind the juicy pulp.

Reviews

Thanks to the work of domestic breeders, gardeners can grow heat-loving crops not only in the south, but also in regions with a cool climate.

Peter Kuznetsov, 53 Vyborg: “Five years ago I planted 2 cherries: Bryanochka and Tyutchevka, which survive in the conditions of the North-West. I cut off the first flowers, and this summer I have already harvested. I really liked the taste of pink berries of Bryanochka. I purchased Tyutchevka as a pollinator, but the dark red fruits of this variety are also sweet and juicy.”

Ivanchuk Svetlana Sergeevna, 47 years old, Tikhvin: “I heard that cherries are grown in our region, but I didn’t really believe it.In the nursery, I really saw seedlings of the southern culture, and the seller said that they were adapted to the North-West region. From the Leningrad black for the 4th year already ate berries. The Fatezh variety has not yet borne fruit, but the tree has grown well.”

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