Cherry Valery Chkalov: variety description and characteristics, cultivation and care with photo

Sweet and fragrant cherries are loved by many. These bright berries are not only tasty, but also beneficial for he alth. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Sweet cherries contain a large amount of useful organic acids, a sufficient amount of fiber and sugar, ascorbic acid, therefore they are a useful product. Among all species, the cherry variety Valery Chkalov stands out favorably, which has wonderful properties.

Description and characteristics of sweet cherries by Valery Chkalov

According to the description of the variety, Valery Chkalov has a rather bright taste.Heart-shaped berries, weighing from 6 to 9 g. The color of the fruits is a rich dark red hue. The pulp is sweet, the stone in the berry is large. Such berries are primarily used for fresh consumption, they can also be frozen or canned. The berries ripen very early - in the first decade of June.

The tree itself is strong with a spreading crown. Actively begins to bear fruit at the age of 5-6 years. Every year there is an increase in productivity. The peak of maximum fruiting occurs in the 10-12th year of the tree's life.

This type of sweet cherry is not self-pollinating.

The pollinator of this variety was such types of cherries as:

• "April";
• "Precocious";
• "Zhabule";
• "June Early";
• Bigarro Burlat.

Dneprovskaya and Yaroslavna varieties are also used as a pollinator.

For better pollination of cherries, honey plants (mint, clover, marigolds, or pollinated with a solution of honey and water) are planted next to it.

History of Creation

The variety owes its appearance to the work of two large laboratories, such as the Michurin Central Genetic Laboratory and the Sidorenko Horticulture Station in the city of Melitopol. It was bred in 1953, subsequently successfully cultivated in various regions of Russia.

The description of the variety says that it got its name in memory of test pilot Valery Chkalov. Varieties with good winter hardiness and disease resistance served as the starting material.

What are the pros and cons of the variety

The species does well in areas with a warm or temperate climate. The variety is quite resistant to low temperatures. If the rules for planting and caring for a tree are followed, then it normally tolerates temperatures up to -25 degrees. Plants are unpretentious, while producing delicious fruits.

In warm areas, the average yield is 60 - 62 kg of berries per tree in one season. The further north the territory, the lower the yield.

Cherry of this species belongs to the early ripe ones. In addition, there are a number of additional benefits:

• large fruits with great taste;
• fast and high yield;
• berries are great for canning or freezing.

According to gardeners, this is one of the leaders among all varieties of cherries.

Chkalov's sweet cherry has only one definite minus - it is prone to infection with fungal diseases.

The nuances of growing crops

Such cherries are cultivated not only in garden plots, but also on an industrial scale. It is important to know about all the features of caring for this tree.

Choosing a seat

The place should be chosen so that there are no strong drafts - this variety does not tolerate them well.Pollinating trees should be planted nearby. Between seedlings should maintain a distance of at least 4 meters. It is good if the seedlings are planted on a small elevation that can be artificially created. This will enable future trees to receive the required amount of sunlight.

You should know that groundwater must be located at least 3 meters from the level of the topsoil. Only in this case will it be possible to avoid rotting of the roots.

It is better to prepare a hole for planting a tree in the fall by digging it and adding 2 buckets of humus. In the future, this will contribute to enhanced nutrition of the roots of the plant. You can also do this in the spring.

Selection of seedlings

Seedlings aged 2-3 years are suitable for planting. The tree should have at least 3-4 branches with good bark condition, without excessive wrinkling. He althy seedlings with a trunk diameter of 17 mm or more should be chosen. Branches and roots should be intact, without damage.It is better to purchase seedlings in specialized nurseries.

Date of planting

The best planting time for cherries is early April. It is not worth planting sweet cherries in autumn, because the tree will not have time to take root before the onset of cold weather.

Site preparation

Further productivity of trees will depend on how well the place for planting is chosen and how it is prepared.

Step by step process

There are a number of specific recommendations that should be followed when planting seedlings:

1. Dig a hole, add organic fertilizer (compost) and minerals (ash, potassium sulfate) to it. Some growers do this as early as autumn.
2. Insert a peg of a suitable size into the ground for further tying the tree.
3. A young tree is planted in a prepared place without strong pressing down of the roots. Sprinkle with earth, make a near-stem circle for better fixation of the seedling.
4. Then you need to tie up the seedling and water it. One bucket of water will be enough.
5. Make mulch out of peat or straw. This will keep the roots out of trouble.

Plant care

The tree needs weeding, watering, and additional fertilizer.

Irrigation and fertilization

Water should be regular, but moderate, so that the tree does not suffer due to the abundance of water. Young seedlings are watered 1 time before flowering, once after. Next time - 3 weeks before harvest and in October.

Young trees can be watered once a month, provided the ambient temperature is high (1 bucket each). For adult trees, the watering rate is three times per season, 4 buckets each. Do not water the tree additionally during the ripening of the berries - this can lead to cracking.

The last watering of an adult tree is carried out before the onset of cold weather.In order for water to penetrate to the desired depth (up to 40 cm), grooves should be made in the ground. It is necessary to additionally fertilize the earth around the tree, however, an excess of minerals provokes rapid growth of shoots, and this should be avoided. Therefore, fertilizers should be applied in doses.

During the first year, seedlings do not need to be fertilized, they will have enough of what was introduced into the soil during planting. In the second year in spring, 100 g of dry urea or its solution (30 g per 10 liters of water) is added to the soil. Once every two years, young trees should be fertilized with manure. After each watering, loosen the soil and cover it with mulch.

Crown formation

A properly shaped crown will not only look beautiful, the formation also has practical significance. Doing without pruning branches will not work. This is done as follows:

1. At a seedling for the first year after planting, the central trunk is cut off.
2. The 3 strongest branches are left in the bottom row for the second year. They should be chosen in such a way that one is 20 cm higher than the other two.
3. In the third year, the main shoot is pruned so that the top is at a distance of 1 meter from the second tier.
4. For the 4th year, a final tier consisting of 3 branches should be formed.
5. Then you should periodically thin out the branches growing inside the crown. This contributes to the formation of the correct crown shape.

Fresh cuts should be disinfected with a solution of copper sulphate. Pruning itself is carried out at high air temperatures and in good weather. Dried and diseased branches are removed, it is necessary to observe the tree in order to cut them in time.

You can delete no more than a quarter of all branches at a time. Pruning is carried out in the spring after the first year of the seedling in the ground. It is a shortening of the seedling and part of the shoots.

The height of the finished tree at the age of 5 years should be no more than 3.5 m.

Cut to:

• Skeletal branches growing vertically.
• Too strong shoots.
• Extra side branches of the crown.

Loosening the soil and removing weeds

Mulching is done to get rid of weeds. Before loosening, this layer is removed, the earth is carefully loosened and returned to its place. Mulch covers the layer of soil under the tree, preventing weeds from sprouting.

Wintering

Although the variety has good frost resistance, trees should still be prepared for wintering. In October, loosen the soil near the trunk circle.

Young seedlings are especially susceptible to damage. They do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, the first three years after planting, it is recommended to cover the tree. This should be done no earlier than November at a steady temperature of up to 0 degrees.

To avoid aging of the bark, the coating must be removed if the air temperature is above 5 degrees.

It is advisable to wrap the tree trunk with non-woven material, after soaking it with dust or diesel fuel. This smell is not tolerated by rodents.They also cover trees for the winter with spruce branches or straw with the addition of dry stems of wormwood. Its smell repels mice. You can also wrap the barrel with a polymer mesh.

Diseases and pests of the variety

The variety has good resistance to most diseases characteristic of cherries, but some problems may be.

When pruning, gum flow may occur (streaks of yellow copper sulfate appear.

Cherry can suffer from scab. In this case, the main thing is to remove damaged branches and fruits in time and treat the tree with Bordeaux liquid.

The defeat of fungal diseases occurs with excessive humidity. Preventing infection with a fungus, the branches are pre-sprayed with a solution of iron sulfate. How much substance is needed and how to make a solution is indicated in the manufacturer's instructions.

Among the pests that harm trees of this species, the following should be noted:

• Gypsy moth, the larvae of which strongly eat the leaves of the tree. For prevention, cover the trunk in the spring with special paint. The affected plant is treated with Actellik, Intavir.
• Cherry moth. It affects almost all parts of the plant that are above the ground, greatly reducing yields.
• Cherry fly. Its larvae destroy the fruits. Fallen berries should be removed in time and dig up the ground from time to time. To prevent or when the first signs appear, they are treated with appropriate drugs (for example, Aktara).Pests can also be controlled with the help of their natural enemies. You can attract beneficial insects (ladybug, ground beetle) with the help of plants. To do this, plant mint, tansy, calendula nearby.

Features of growing in different regions of Russia

Since 1974, the species has become widespread in many regions of the Caucasus, then in the southern regions of Siberia. The variety gives the highest yield in the southern regions of Russia, in particular in the Krasnodar Territory.

Harvesting

The trees of this species are harvested early - in early June. Remove the fruits along with the stalk, so they will keep a good look longer. At room temperature, in good condition, the berries can be stored only for a day, then they begin to deteriorate. In general, this variety received a positive response from most users.

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