Cherry Asterisk: variety description and characteristics, difference from Nord Star

Zvezdochka cherry variety has gained popularity among gardeners due to its early ripening and increased resistance to fungal diseases. Beautiful and tasty fruits appeal to both children and adults. The tree is able to tolerate both arid conditions and cold climates. In the spring, cherry blossoms decorate the gardens, and in the summer they provide an opportunity to replenish the supply of vitamins in the body and make delicious preparations for the winter.

History of variety breeding

Cherry Asterisk has become widespread throughout our country and even beyond its borders.Now gardeners find it difficult to find the correct answer, who was the author of this variety and when exactly it was bred, so the plant is usually referred to as samples of folk selection. Seedlings for this cherry were selected from the nursery named after I. V. Michurin. Specialists are not able to reliably establish which variety became the parent for Zvezdochka.

Description of culture

Depending on the type of rootstock and agricultural conditions, the Asterisk tree grows from 2.5 to 6 meters in height. Its crown is pyramidal in shape, thickening is medium. Requires systematic pruning and shaping, especially when grown in the climatic conditions of the middle lane. The sun's rays and air flows should freely fall deep into the crown. The foliage of this cherry is medium, the leaves are large, there are notches along the edges.

Description of the variety indicates that the flowers of Asterisk are grouped into large inflorescences with long and very strong petioles.

The berries are large, rounded, the mass of one reaches 5.5 grams. In the stage of technical ripeness, the skin acquires a beautiful scarlet color. Cherries are juicy and tender, their taste is sweet with a slight spicy sourness. The juice comes out pink.

The variety has an unusual yellow bone, which is easily separated from the fragrant and juicy pulp. Tasters rated the palatability of Zvezdochka at 4.2 points. This cherry is well tolerated by summer heat and drought, as well as winter frosts. In the conditions of the middle zone, it can winter without additional shelter. Asterisk is sometimes confused with another popular variety, Nord Star, but they are two completely different plants.

Advantages and disadvantages

Zvezdochka cherry variety has huge advantages over competitors, which makes it very popular among gardeners. These include:

• partial self-fertility;
• early ripening;
• high yield;
• excellent taste and commercial qualities of fruits;
• universal use of the harvest;
• excellent frost and drought resistance;
• undemanding care and unpretentiousness in cultivation.

Among the shortcomings, practicing gardeners distinguish a tendency to be affected by coccomycosis and moniliosis.

Popularity of Nord Star cherries

North Star cherry variety has won the love of gardeners due to self-fertility, very good frost resistance and small dimensions of an adult tree. Already in the second or third year after planting a seedling, you can enjoy the first harvest. The tree is almost not affected by diseases and pests, so it requires a minimum of attention and care.Nord Star repels some growers with its overly sour berry taste. It is believed that they are suitable only for harvesting and preparing preservation. But there are lovers who eat fresh cherries as well.

Distinctive characteristics of the variety

The Nord Star tree is shaped more like a bush. Its maximum height reaches 2.5 meters, the crown is not sprawling, the density is medium. In the first years after planting, the plant gives an intensive growth, and then abruptly stops growing. The leaves of this cherry are medium in size, narrow oval in shape.

The fruits of Nord Star at the stage of technical ripeness have a beautiful burgundy color. Cherries are large, the mass of one reaches 5 grams. The stone separates easily, the pulp is tender and juicy, with a strong classic aroma. Due to the increased acidity, tasters rated the taste of the berries as only 4 points.The ripening dates of cherries are late, the yield is high. The tree can withstand temperatures as low as -40 in winter ^{C. In summer, it endures drought and heat.}

Growing regions

Due to good drought and frost resistance, these trees are excellent for cultivation in the central and northwestern regions, as well as the Volga region. In the conditions of the middle lane, the variety winters without additional warming.

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