Cherry Lyutovka: description and characteristics of the variety, yield, cultivation and care

When planning to plant a cherry orchard on your site, you should take a responsible approach to the choice of seedlings. They must be zoned for a certain region, have immunity to diseases and have frost resistance. One of the first places in cultivation is the Lyutovka cherry variety, which has many advantages and few disadvantages.

History of occurrence

Reliable information about the origin of the variety is almost impossible to find. Some sources claim that Lutovka was bred by breeders in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century.Others attribute the merit of breeding the variety to craftsmen. However, over time, this variety has spread and is successfully grown in all European countries and in Russian regions.

Variety description

Judging by the description of the variety, the cherry of this variety has much more positive characteristics than negative.

Lutovka's advantages include:

medium tree size for easy harvesting (up to 2.5 meters);
good transportability, appreciated by farmers who grow berries for sale;
taste of berries and large fruits;
self-fertile, which saves space in the garden and does not require the planting of pollinating varieties;
the ability to eat fresh berries and process them.

The cons of the variety include susceptibility to such a fungal disease as coccomycosis, low winter hardiness of branches and a short lifespan of a tree. If Lutovka is planted in the climate of the middle zone, then up to 25 kg of fruits are removed from it in one season. In warmer latitudes, the yield increases and is up to 30 kg per tree.

Features of cultivation

In order for the cherry to bear fruit and not get sick every year, when growing, they begin with the right choice of planting site and seedling.

Choosing a seat

You should not choose shaded places for growing Lyutovka, the cherry will hurt and will not give a good harvest. Sunny places with fertile soil and groundwater occurrence no higher than 2-3 meters from the soil surface are best suited.

The seedling must have a developed root system without damage and dry patches. It is better to buy cherries 1-2 years old in special nurseries that value their reputation and offer quality planting material.

Plan to plant a cherry seedling in the middle of spring, when the earth is already warm enough and frosts will not return.

Landing

The soil for Lutovka has been prepared since autumn. They dig up the selected area, introduce nutrients that will penetrate the soil with autumn rains and saturate it with all the necessary elements for the development of the seedling.

In the spring, before planting cherries, they dig up the soil again and add organic matter. A hole is made at least 80 cm deep and with sides 60 x 70 cm. The roots are inspected for damage, all growths are removed. In order for the seedling to take root better, before planting, its roots are dipped for several hours in a special growth stimulator, for example, Kornevin.

The topsoil is mixed with rotted manure and a third of the hole is filled with it. Install a young tree and straighten its roots.Next, a peg is driven in and covered with soil. Experienced gardeners recommend that you make sure to support the seedling. It will prevent damage in case of strong wind.

Care

No matter how stable the crop is, without proper agricultural practices and care, it will get sick and will not produce the declared number of berries.

Irrigation and fertilization

Despite the good resistance of the variety to arid climate, the tree still needs to be watered. This is especially true for young seedlings.

Moisturizing the soil is carried out once a week, while at least a bucket of water is poured under each tree. For mature trees, this rate is increased to 2-3 buckets. Watering is required during the formation of ovaries and before wintering.

If all the necessary nutrients were added to the planting pit, then the first 2 years it will not be necessary to fertilize the cherry.In the future, organic matter and mineral fertilizers are applied in the spring every spring and autumn. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are preferred, and in the autumn, phosphorus and potassium are needed for a successful winter.

Preparing for cold weather

The Lutovka variety is not very winter hardy, so you will have to properly prepare the tree for the cold period. Abundant watering is carried out, the soil around the tree is mulched with peat, sawdust and covered with spruce branches. To prevent rodents from damaging the plantings, use lutrasil or other covering material.

Cutting

In spring and autumn, sanitary pruning is carried out, all broken and dried branches are removed, as well as shoots that grow inside the crown. Since Lutovka belongs to the bushy varieties, formative pruning is also necessary, it is done when the tree is 2 years old.

Reproduction

Cherry is also grown from the seed, but this is a rather long and laborious process, which does not always give a positive result.In addition, such a tree will have to be grafted for fruiting. It is much easier to carry out cuttings. So it will be possible to preserve all the varietal characteristics of the tree. The method of propagation by layering is also possible.

Pests and diseases of cherries

Of the diseases, coccomycosis is considered the most dangerous for Lyutovka. Also, in the absence of proper care, it is possible to be affected by moniliosis. To prevent fungal diseases, trees are treated with Bordeaux liquid and fungicidal preparations (for example, Abiga-Peak).

Of insects, cherry seedlings are most often affected by aphids. For prevention, they rake up all plant debris, fight ants, which are carriers of aphids. In case of severe damage, the chemicals "Aktellik" or "Fufanon" are used.