According to many people, sweet cherry is a southern fruit. However, this has long been no longer the case: many varieties have been bred that are excellently fruitful in mid-latitudes. One of them is Lyubimitsa Astakhova - one of the best varieties of cherries, combining resistance to harsh climates and the taste of berries, almost the same as that grown in the south of the country.
General characteristics of the variety
Astakhov's darling is a relatively young variety, but real connoisseurs have already heard a lot about its positive qualities.
Origin, growing region
Many modern sweet cherries are grown in Bryansk, where the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine, founded on the basis of the Bryansk Agricultural Experimental Station in 1987, operates. True, recently, as a result of the reorganization, this institute became a branch of the Federal Scientific Center for Feed Production and Agroecology, but this did not change the subject of its work: in addition to research aimed at improving the varieties of fodder crops, fruit and berry trees and shrubs are successfully selected in the fruit growing department of the institute.
It was in this institute that some of the best blackcurrant varieties (Selechenskaya 2, Sevchanka, etc.), cherries (Morel Bryanskaya, Prichuda, etc.) and cherries were born.
Here Lyubimitsa Astakhova was also “born” - a variety that was named in honor of the spouse of one of its creators - breeder Kanshina M.V., a well-known specialist in fruit growing. In the "parents" of the variety are many hybrids of sweet cherry, including those of Leningrad and Voronezh origin.
Work on the variety took a very long time, and an entry in the RF State Register about Lyubimits Astakhov appeared in 2011. By an official document, the cultivation of this cherry is recommended only in the Central region. Of course, this fact is only a recommendation, therefore, cherries of this variety are also successfully cultivated in other regions with a similar climate, they are also aware of it in neighboring Ukraine and Belarus. But in the northern regions, even such frost-resistant cherries without shelter for the winter period will not be able to grow.
Plant description
The sweet cherry tree cultivar Lyubimitsa Astakhova grows rapidly, reaches medium size (up to 4 m high), characterized by a medium-dense crown of round or round-oval shape. The bark is from dark gray to grayish-brown in color; it peels a little on the stem. Shoots are strong, thick, without pubescence. Leaves of medium size, green, without shine, elliptical shape, petioles of medium size. Fruits are formed mainly on bouquet branches, small stalks. In the inflorescence usually there are 3 flowers of medium size, white.
The tree of Astakhov’s Favorite, like most varieties of northern cherries, is quite compact
Winter hardiness at Lyubimitsa Astakhov is high. Nevertheless, there are recommendations for the maximum possible protection of the tree from the winds with various fences, tree plantations, etc. The variety is rarely affected by diseases, one of the most common is coccomycosis. Among the pests, the most dangerous is the cherry fly.
Fruit characterization
This cherry ripens late. Fruits are above average size, weighing up to 8 g (average weight about 6 g), oval, they are easily separated from the stalk, the color is dark red both outside and inside (outside, ripe fruits can be almost black). The pulp is juicy, fleshy, sweet: juice sugar content up to 12.5%. The skin when eating fruits is not felt. The bone is brown in color, separates well. Evaluation of fresh fruits by tasters - 4.8 points out of 5. The purpose of the cherry is universal: both for fresh consumption and for various preparations.
The fruits of Astakhov’s Beloved remain red for a long time, but closer to full ripening they can become almost black
The fruits tolerate transportation well, especially if they were removed in the early morning: it is such a cherry that has the most dense consistency. However, the shelf life of fresh fruits is short: at room temperature no more than three days, in the refrigerator - a little longer. Fruits that are not consumed in a timely manner can be frozen, dried, jam made from them, compote, etc.
Fruiting time
The first fruits are formed only four years after planting. A tree blooms in May, but the fruits usually ripen only in the middle of summer. The fruiting frequency is not typical for this variety, the yield is stable, annual, slightly higher than the average values for the crop (about 10 kg per tree).
Like all sweet cherries, Lyubimitsa Astakhov’s fruits are rather delicate, they can already be spoiled on a tree, so immediately after collecting them in small containers they are laid out on a clean cloth and carefully sorted. It is better to immediately send the intact fruits to the refrigerator, and they should be washed only immediately before use.
The main types of pollinators
Speaking of a relatively high yield, it should be emphasized that it can be achieved only if there are nearby pollinators - trees of other varieties. Lyubimitsa Astakhova herself is considered only partially self-pollinating, that is, a small number of fruits will grow on a lonely tree. It is better if at a distance of about 6-8 m two more trees of different varieties will be planted, blooming simultaneously with Astakhov’s Beloved.
If it is not possible to plant several trees, several pollinator cuttings can be grafted into the crown. The most extreme way out is cherries blooming nearby: they will also increase the cherry yield.
The list of possible pollinators is quite large: these are almost any sweet cherry varieties that bloom in May, for example: Tyutchevka, Iput, Ovstuzhenka, Raditsa, Malysh, etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Despite the fact that sweet cherries of the Lyubimitsa Astakhov variety appeared relatively recently, a clear idea of its characteristics has already developed among gardeners. Among the main advantages of the variety are:
- excellent winter hardiness;
- unpretentiousness to growing conditions;
- good stable yield;
- excellent taste of fruits;
- high immunity to diseases.
Among the shortcomings are:
- the need for pollinators;
- need of young trees for shelter for the winter.
Of course, shelter for the winter is a measure that should not be neglected for 2-3 years, but it is worth putting up with it: after all, cherries were recently considered a tree of southern latitudes! But partial self-fertility is a significant minus: for small-scale summer residents, planting 2-3 sweet cherry trees is a luxury, but planting several varieties on one tree is not such a big problem.
Video: several varieties of cherries for Central Russia
Planting cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova
Planting and caring for the variety in question are similar to those in the case of other varieties intended for cultivation in climatic conditions of the middle lane.
Landing time
Even cold-resistant varieties of cherries, in contrast to pome seeds (apple trees, pears), try not to plant in the middle lane in autumn. The best time for planting Lyubimitsa Astakhov is spring: it is necessary to hold the event after completely thawing the soil, but before the buds bloom on the seedling. The threat of serious frost by the day of planting should already pass. In central Russia, this cherry is usually planted in the first half of April.
Site selection
To plant cherries in the garden, they choose the warmest place, protected from the winds. The tree should be well lit by sunshine; the best choice is the southern slope, but not steep. Groundwater should be no closer than one and a half meters from the surface, swampy areas - under the complete ban. It may be necessary to specially equip the bulk hill for cherries. The best soil is a neutral reaction, breathable, fertile, of medium composition (sandy loam or loam).
Cherry is planted in a sunny place, but without shelter from the winds it will feel uncomfortable in the middle lane
Landing pit
It is necessary to prepare a pit for spring planting in the fall: after all, it must stand for some time for the microorganisms to enter the work, fill the soil with useful organic substances, and it is very difficult to dig a pit in spring. Therefore, in the fall, when there is time, they dig a hole up to half a meter deep, about 80 cm long and wide.
A pit for planting cherries is prepared according to general rules, but in length and width it is made more than in depth
The preparation of the landing pit is carried out in the usual way: the lower, infertile layer is removed from the site, and fertilizers are added to the fertile soil and returned to the pit. As fertilizers for the sapling of Lyubimitsa Astakhov, 1.5-2 buckets of humus and 1.5-2 liters of wood ash are used. They try not to use mineral fertilizers during planting, subsequently they are used for top dressing, but on poor soils it will be useful to immediately add 100-120 g of superphosphate. If the soil is heavy (which is extremely undesirable), dig a hole a little deeper so that a drainage layer is poured into the bottom with a layer of 8-10 cm - pebbles, gravel, just coarse sand.
Landing process
It is believed that in the spring to buy seedlings is risky: you can run into a re-sorting. But if a sweet cherry tree was bought in the fall, it still needs to be preserved until spring. It is best to dig a seedling according to all the rules on the site. However, it will be safer to find a good nursery or a solid store and buy a seedling after all in the spring, immediately before planting. Two-year-olds are best taken root. The seedling should not have significant damage, the roots should be elastic, healthy.
Upon arrival in the spring in the area:
- The tips of the roots of the seedling are slightly pruned, especially if there is slight damage or drying out. After that, the roots are dipped in water. If there is time, they can be soaked up to a day. Immediately before planting, it will be useful to dip the roots into the clay mash.
The clay and mullein composition, applied to the roots, greatly facilitates the planting of seedlings
- The required amount of soil mixture (up to half) is removed from the planting pit so that the roots can be freely placed in it. A mound is constructed from the remaining mixture, and a strong stake, protruding outward by at least 80 cm, is driven in next to it.
Before planting cherries, a stake is injected into the pit, which will support the seedling for several years
- A seedling is placed on the knoll, the roots are straightened, holding the tree so that the root neck is 4-5 cm above ground level (then it will lower slightly). Gradually fill the roots with the soil mixture, occasionally shaking the seedling so that voids do not form.
It is important when planting to ensure that the root collar is ultimately at ground level
- After filling the pit, they trample the soil, tie the stem freely to the stake with a soft twine in the "eight" way.
The known method of "eight" guarantees the strength of tying and the integrity of the seedling stem
- Having made the sides for irrigation along the edges of the pit, water the seedling with two buckets of water. After absorbing water, the root neck of the seedling should barely be visible from the ground.
If two buckets of water go into the ground quickly, perhaps more water will be needed.
- If necessary, add more soil, after which the trunk circle must be mulched with a thin layer of any loose material: humus, peat or simply dry earth.
In spring planting, the mulch layer is not needed big: its role is only to prevent excessive drying of the soil
- The seedling is pruned: the main trunk is left with a height of not more than 80 cm, the side branches are up to half a meter.
Do not be afraid to cut the seedling after planting: it will be worse if the weak roots do not "stretch" too large aerial parts
Growing Features
In the first year, the seedling is watered weekly, preventing the soil from drying out in the near-stem circle. In the future, the cherries of Lyubimits Astakhov are watered as necessary, depending on the weather. A minimum of 3 irrigation is required: in May during the period of rapid growth of shoots, in June, with the beginning of fruit ripening, and immediately before the close of the season (winter watering). Watering is contraindicated 3 weeks before harvesting; otherwise, a substantial portion of the crop will be lost, since the fruits of this cherry are prone to cracking. Watering is also undesirable in the second half of summer, when young shoots should be lignified, and their growth should stop.
A year after planting, the cherries begin to be fed. In early spring, 100-150 g of urea is scattered in the near-stem circle, slightly patching it into the soil. As the tree grows, the spring rate of urea is increased to 200 g. At the end of summer, superphosphate (200 to 400 g) and potassium sulfate (50-100 g) are introduced in a similar way. From time to time, the tree trunk is sprinkled with wood ash (there is never much ash!).
Any sweet cherry does not like weeds, therefore, loosening the soil and weeding the near-stem circle are carried out systematically.
Southern varieties of cherries must be cut annually. But stone fruits are very sensitive to this procedure, especially in cold climates. Therefore, pruning sweet cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova, grown mainly in the middle lane, is carried out only as necessary, cutting sick, broken and dried branches. But in the summer, after harvesting, the fertilized shoots are slightly shortened so that new flower buds are better born. In the most severe climatic regions, this procedure is undesirable. Even the smallest wounds on the cherry should be covered with garden var.
The first 3-4 years, while it is physically possible, for the winter, young trees should be wrapped with spruce or pine branches, pieces of roofing felt or non-woven materials.
Serious shelter for the winter Lyubimitse Astakhova will need only a couple of years
Diseases and Pests
Cherry in general is a fairly disease-resistant tree, and the variety Lyubimitsa Astakhova is practically not sick. It has medium resistance only to coccomycosis, resistance to other diseases is considered to be high. However, in early spring, before the buds swell, the trees are sprayed with 1-2% Bordeaux fluid for preventive purposes: coccomycosis is a dangerous fungal disease. If it becomes attached, it will be more difficult to fight, the diseased tree quickly weakens and can die.
Coccomycosis begins with seemingly harmless spots on the leaves, but quickly affects the whole tree.
Among the pests, the most dangerous is the cherry fly. This is the same fly, the larvae of which are "worms", which we find in the fruits of cherries and cherries. When a fly invades, a significant portion of the crop may be destroyed. Digging the soil and timely cleaning of the scavenger significantly reduce the number of pests. A fly flies well on bait (compote, kvass), and this is another harmless way to deal with it.
A cherry fly lays many eggs, from which larvae infecting the fruit are hatched
They try not to use chemical insecticides on cherries, but for such a late variety as Lyubimitsa Astakhova, this can be done in principle. Of the permitted drugs are Phasis and Actellic. Spraying trees of this variety is possible even at the stage of ovary formation, but insecticides should be used only in case of emergency and strictly according to instructions, subject to all safety measures.
Grade Reviews
And I really like the varieties Lyubimitsa Astakhova and Sadko. They have large, dense and juicy berries. Yes, by the way, keep in mind that you need to plant at least two varieties of cherries, and preferably three. If you plant one, then it will not bear fruit, they need pollination. You also need to remember that cherries require a large area of nutrition, so close to other trees it should not be planted (no closer than five meters to each other).
Kaluzhnitsa
//www.agroxxi.ru/forum/topic/221-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%88%D0%BD%D1%8F/
Plant better cherries.There are wonderful varieties - Adeline. Bryanochka, Iput, Beloved Astakhov ... Miracle Cherry near Moscow is hopeless.
Lover
//forum.tvoysad.ru/viewtopic.php?t=107&start=120
The best varieties of cherries for the Urals are Lyubimitsa Astakhova, Ovstuzhenko, Odrinka, Fatezh, Raditsa. All these varieties tolerate frosts well, but for the winter they need to be insulated with covering material.
Berry world
//mir-yagod.ru/opisanie-sortov-chereshni/
“Iput”, “Bryanochka” are very good varieties, “memory of Astakhov” and “favorite of Astakhov” are simply excellent (the last two are in my garden).
Yuri Shchibrikov
//cherniy.ucoz.hu/index/chereshnja/0-61
Sweet cherry "Astakhov's favorite". I can not help but admire even the size of the sheet ...
Sergei
//dacha.wcb.ru/index.php?showtopic=11451&st=1140
Sweet cherries Lyubimitsa Astakhova quickly gained popularity due to the excellent taste of berries, high frost resistance of the tree and ease of care for it. And the high transportability of the crop made the variety attractive for agricultural business specialists.
