Dwarf cherry: description of the best varieties, planting and care, disease control

The insufficiency of the territory of the personal plot makes gardeners more carefully plan plantings and choose horticultural crops. With limited space, experts advise paying attention to varieties of dwarf cherries. Despite its small size, such a tree can surprise you with yield indicators, but for this you need to know about the features of its cultivation.

Features of dwarf cherries

Dwarf cherry grows from 1 to 1.5 meters high. Thin spreading branches give it the appearance of a shrub. The leaves are small in size and shape, they grow no more than 5 cm and have a pointed end.Dwarf cherry blossom lasts 2 to 3 weeks and, unlike traditional varieties, is accompanied by a rich aroma.

Dwarf berries can range from light to dark red, some varieties become almost black when ripe. Fruits average 1 cm in diameter and average weight no more than 5 g. A distinctive feature of low-growing trees is the early period of return of the crop and its high rates. They are able to reach 10-12 kg, which is ensured by the density of the berries on the branches.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of dwarf cherries are the compactness of the plant and the quality of fruiting. According to the criterion of usefulness, they are not inferior to ordinary cherries. The advantages include the following points:

• good tolerance for sudden changes in temperature;
• frost resistance;
• high survival rate;
• good disease resistance;
• easiness of picking berries;
• early return.

Growing dwarf cherries does not require great skills, so even novice gardeners can do it. Due to the strength of the branches, the tree is not afraid of strong winds and drafts. A well-developed root system allows the plant to survive in places with close groundwater. High yields allow the use of low-growing varieties for industrial cultivation purposes.

The disadvantages of dwarf cherries include the small size of the berries. Some note the lack of sweetness of the fruit and their insufficient fleshiness. For planting, you need to choose the right variety and take into account growing conditions, and the lack of pollinators for ordinary dwarf cherries is fraught with a decrease in yields.

Best varieties

Many years of work of breeders have made it possible to obtain a wide variety of varieties, so undersized varieties are presented on the market in a wide variety. At the same time, there are representatives of dwarf trees that have won the love and recognition of Russian gardeners. For planting in the Moscow region, the best varieties are:

• Chocolate Girl;
• Anthracite;
• Quick.

Winter pomegranate belongs to the category of new varieties, it was obtained by crossing steppe and sand varieties of cherries. The purpose of the selection was to obtain a variety that is resistant to weather changes, so the plant easily tolerates hot weather and frosts. A feature of the variety are strong branches and straight growth of shoots.

The first opportunity to get a harvest can be expected in the 2-3rd year, the indicators of which increase gradually, and in the 7th year up to 8 kg of fruits are harvested.Ripening falls in mid-August, but the fruits are able to remain on the branch until the last days of September. The weight of the bright burgundy color of the berry is 4 g.

Cherry Businka belongs to varieties with an average ripening period. The average weight of berries is 3.5 g. The peculiarity lies in the color of the fruit, which is black. Winter-hardy cherry grows on average up to 3 m. The advantage of the plant is high yields and the versatility of using berries. Culture in industrial cultivation shows a return of 8 t/ha. The fruiting period falls in mid-July.

Growing principle

Planting a tree should be carried out in a well-lit place, as cherries are demanding for sufficient light. It is recommended to choose the south side of the garden, the elevation of the territory is not an obstacle. Low-growing trees do not like even a little shading, so despite their low growth, they should not be planted under large trees.

It is undesirable to be near the cherry coniferous trees, they are carriers of infections dangerous for it.

To avoid disappointment, the plant should be bought in specialized nurseries. The following rules should be followed:

• choose a one- or two-year-old plant for planting, as they are acclimatized and have a sufficient degree of endurance;
• carefully inspect the roots, removing dry shoots;
• before planting, soak for 10 hours in water or growth-promoting solution;
• planting should be carried out in pre-prepared soil, enrichment with manure and fertilizers must be carried out in the fall.

Sandy loamy soil is considered ideal for growing low-growing rocks, as it is characterized by sufficient friability, easily passes air and water.The depth of the dug hole should be equal to 1⁄2 of the height of the seedling. After planting, the soil needs to be moistened with 2 buckets of warm water.

Care

Caring for dwarf cherries is standard, does not require much time and effort. For successful cultivation, it is important to control watering and cut branches in a timely manner. Humidification is carried out as needed, it is increased during the dry season and at the time of ripening of the berries. During prolonged rains loosening of the soil is required. This will allow excess moisture to leave in a timely manner and eliminate the risk of water stagnation.

Before flowering, a tree inspection is required. If there are frozen dried shoots, you need to remove them with a pruner. Pruning is carried out in early spring before the start of the movement of juices. Such actions contribute to increased growth of shoots and make it possible for the tree to grow stronger during flowering. Autumn removal of branches is carried out only when absolutely necessary.

For better fruiting, it is recommended to do periodic top dressing with fertilizers. The first is carried out before flowering after the formation of buds. After the blooming of flowers, the introduction of organics is acceptable. In the autumn, after harvesting, mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil in the form of potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Diseases and pests

Dwarf cherry species are resistant to pests and various diseases of fruit trees. Most often they are subject to lesions of a fungal nature, so it is necessary to conduct a periodic inspection for their presence. Landings may suffer from the following diseases:

• moniliosa;
• different types of spotting;
• scab.

Dwarf trees are often attacked by aphids. The greatest danger threatens seedlings at the time of the appearance of new leaves and young shoots. Common pests of cherries include worms, moths, fruit mites.

Methods of struggle

One of the most common fungal diseases of cherries is moniliosis, which is often called monilial burn. It is easy to determine at the time of flowering of the plant. If it is present, dry rot begins to form on the branches, they dry, and the tree can completely die. Symptoms of the lesion are observed in the following sequence:

• foci appear, reminiscent of the effects of exposure to fire;
• growths of gray color are formed on the bark;
• berries covered with gray rot;
• branches crack and die.

To combat moniliosis, fungicides are used - "Oleokuprit", "Kaptan", "Kuprozan". Previously, before processing, the affected areas and fruits are removed. One procedure may not be enough, in which case the manipulations are repeated.

Cherry plantations may suffer from brown or perforated spotting. The disease manifests itself in the form of dark, brown or yellowish spots, in place of which holes form over time. Leaves begin to dry and fall off. They fight such a disease with a 1% solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid. The latter is also used for scab.

To prevent infection of plantings of aphids, spraying with special preparations is carried out, of which there are a lot of garden goods on the market today. Processing is done until the buds open. A good result is obtained when using Nitrafen or Olekuprit. At the first sign of the presence of larvae on the plant until the buds open, the plantings are sprayed. Immediately before the start of flowering, the work is repeated using Karbofos.

During the garden season, if necessary, insecticide treatment is carried out again.

Prevention

Prevention of the appearance of diseases and pests is the observance of the rules of planting, the timely removal of affected branches and fruits. The first preventive spraying is carried out after the pruning procedure, using a 1% vitriol solution for this purpose. To prevent diseases, the lower part of the shoots is whitewashed with lime. Spraying with a solution of urea prepared from 700 g of the drug and 10 liters of water will help protect the tree from pests that have spent the winter season in the bark.

When using Bordeaux liquid, the timing of spraying should be observed:

• first - before bud break;
• second - after the end of flowering;
• third - no later than 3 weeks before the start of picking berries.

To increase the tree's resistance to various pests, spraying with Zircon or Ecoberin will help.

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