The best varieties of columnar cherries for growing in the regions of Russia

Description and characteristics of columnar cherries

Colonial culture was nicknamed for a reason. At one time, breeders paid attention to the column-shaped apple tree, which is found in the wild. Since then, this beneficial mutation has been used in the breeding of various fruit plants.

Description of the tree and root system

The tree has the shape of a cylinder with a crown directed upwards. By cutting off the lateral branches growing to the sides, it is possible to form a slender column no more than 1 m in diameter. In height, the tree stretches 2-3 meters, there are few leaves.

The roots of the tree penetrate to a great depth, but do not grow in breadth beyond the crown. This allows several crops to be planted close to each other on the site to save space.

Yield

A young tree begins to bear fruit 3 years after planting, and it is advisable to cut off the formed ovaries for the first couple of years. The whole crown is strewn with ripe dark red berries. It is possible to remove 13-15 kg from one plant (and some specimens give up to 50 kg) of fruits. The berries cover the branches thickly, making them look like corn cobs.

The life cycle is from 20 to 30 years, depending on the climate and care. Juicy fruits have a delicate taste and a dense skin, which allows them to be transported without problems.

Resistance to diseases, pests, frost

Although it is advisable to grow the crop in a warm climate, with proper care, good yields also ripen in the northern regions (some varieties can withstand temperatures down to –30 ° C). Here, the culture is necessarily sheltered with the onset of cold weather.

The culture does not like excessive drought, as well as excessive watering. Water requires a moderate amount, only on dry days during the flowering season it is increased.

Scientists have managed to instill in the columnar sweet cherry immunity to most plant ailments and pests, but the use of special safety measures will not be superfluous. The tree is most often attacked by:

• coccomycosis;
• scab;
• tinder fungus.

In addition, the plant is vulnerable to attack:

• aphids;
• weevil;
• moth;
• caterpillars.

To combat pests, special reagents are used, they are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid for the disease.

The advantages and disadvantages of culture

Gardeners value culture for its small size and decorative properties. Having a thin and low-leafed crown, the tree gives a little shade, without interfering with the rest of the horticultural crops.

However, it is worth mentioning the disadvantages:

• low, in comparison with other cherry crops, productivity;
• short shelf life of the collection;
• low frost resistance, which is solved by the correct selection of varieties for specific conditions.

Popular in horticulture varieties of columnar cherries

Consider the most popular varieties, their advantages and disadvantages.

Delight

By the time of ripening, it belongs to the mid-early hybrids. The trunk grows up to 2.5 m. The yield is the same from year to year, the sweet cherries are large, weight 11-14 g, the color is dark red. The core is juicy. Resistant to many diseases.

Yellow

Fruits are bright yellow, thick fleshy. Birds do not spoil the crop, preferring red fruits. It grows up to 3 m, the crown takes up half a meter in diameter. The culture is long-lived, gives stable yields for about 25 years.

Iput

It is popular for its high yield. The fruit is medium in size, burgundy, sweet and tasty, the pith easily separates from the stone. They tolerate transportation well, because the crop is massively grown on an industrial scale and is widely used in agriculture.

Ripens early, ends in the second half of June. It resists many diseases well.

Queen Mary

Low yield (about 15 kg), refers to dessert varieties. Afraid of cold, common in the south and in the middle lane.

Baby

One of the most compact varieties of the species. The trunk grows up to 1.5 m, the crown - up to 80 cm. When small, it gives a plentiful collection.

The fruits are sour-sweet, but pleasant to the taste, with a fragrant smell. The crop is suitable for conservation. Frost-resistant, therefore it is able to grow even in Siberia, although it requires obligatory shelter with the onset of frost.

Jealous

No less popular is the Queen Mary variety, because it gives sweet and juicy fruits that can be stored for a long time. Suitable for transportation, resistant to Siberian frosts. The sizes of sweet cherries are average, weight 5–8 g. Harvest ripens in early July.

Helena

Dessert variety. The fruits are bright red, weighing from 2 to 14 g. The trunk grows up to 3.5 m, the crown is a meter in diameter. High collection, ripens by June 15-20. The lifespan is about 20 years. Distributed in the Urals and in central Russia.

Sabrina

Self-pollinated hybrid. The trunk is high (up to 2 m), the crown is voluminous. Yields bountiful harvests of sweet and large (13-14 g) cherries at the end of July. Well resists ailments, pests. Poorly perceives cold, suitable only for warm regions.

Silvia

In terms of characteristics (height, volume, weight of berries, collection, taste) it is similar to the Helena variety. Ripens early, in mid-June. The life span is short - 15 years. It is afraid of drafts, but it tolerates the cold well, although it needs shelter.

There is a variety Little Sylvia, which reaches a height of no more than 2 m.

Sam

Belongs to very early varieties, the harvest ripens by mid-June. Fruit weight up to 12 g. Fruits for about 15 years. It plays the role of a pollinator for other hybrids of this culture and itself also needs a pollinator (such can be Helena, Hedelfinska, Van Bing). Resistant to disease and frost.

Tyutchevka

Late ripening. The crown is spherical, average height. The leaves are massive. The fruits are large, weighing 5–7 g, 2.5 cm wide. The peel and pulp are red, the taste is juicy and sweet (tasting rating 4.9 out of 5). Universal use, easy to transport. Productivity is 16-40 kg per tree. Winter hardiness is high. Resistant to moniliosis, clotterosporia and coccomycosis. Needs a pollinator (Raditsa, Revna are suitable).

Black

Gives bountiful harvests, massive fruits. Frost resistant. Unpretentious, grows up to 2 m. The color of the berries is black.

Video "Planting seedlings of columnar trees"

This video shows how to properly plant seedlings of fruit crops.

Features of growing columnar cherries

To get good yields from a gardener, you need to correctly select a variety suitable for growing conditions. First of all, the following are taken into account:

• cold resistance;
• berry picking time;
• fruiting period.

Further, it remains only to follow the rules of agricultural technology, which are mandatory for the cultivation of sweet cherries and cherries.

Site selection and seedlings

When buying columnar cherry seedlings at the market or in a specialized store, carefully examine them. In order for the crown to grow straight up, gradually forming an oval or cylinder, the apical bud of the seedling must be intact.

A well-lit area with sunlight is suitable for planting a crop. Make sure he won't be intimidated by drafts.

Fertile soil must be loosened. Do not choose a site in lowlands or in places with high groundwater.

Landing scheme and rules

Planting is recommended in the spring, when the risk of recurrent frosts has passed. Here is a sequence of actions.

1. A hole is dug according to the size of the root system of the seedling - about 60 cm in depth and width. Humus is poured on top, a layer of black soil is put in order to protect the delicate roots from burns.
2. Moisten the soil with water, then place the seedling in it.
3. The roots are straightened and buried in soil, leaving about 5 cm of the root collar to stick out above the surface.
4. An earthen roller is built around, the soil is moistened.
5. A peg is stuck into the ground, a sprout is tied to it.

For the first couple of years, the seedling will not grow much. The gardener's task is to ensure that the top remains intact and the culture does not freeze.

Watering and feeding

Sweet cherry loves water, but at the stage of formation of a young tree, both an excess and a lack of moisture are harmful. It is necessary to water the culture only on especially dry days, as well as during the period of fruit formation.

Before the onset of cold weather, watering will be needed so that the soil accumulates moisture for the winter. This will help the culture survive the frost. Watering is organized after the leaves fall from the trees.

It is recommended to apply top dressing according to the following scheme:

1. In autumn, a mixture of 150 g of phosphorus and 60 g of potash fertilizers is added to the soil.
2. In the spring, you need a nitrogen-containing top dressing - urea or ammonium nitrate.
3. Twice: as soon as the plant blooms and after another two weeks, the diluted mullein with an admixture of wood ash is mixed into the soil. This mass will require half a bucket for each tree. Finish feeding with abundant watering.

Trimming and shaping

Serious pruning of branches is not required, it is enough just to cut off the side shoots, allowing the crown to take the desired shape. If it becomes too thick, it is allowed to thin it out a little. In the spring, until the juices begin to circulate, the problem shoots are cut off (dry or frozen over the winter).

Shelter for the winter

Whichever frost-resistant variety you choose, it must be prepared for winter. The apical bud should not freeze on a young seedling, otherwise the crown will not take on the original cylindrical shape inherent in the culture, but will begin to resemble an ordinary cherry.

The winter shelter is organized in several stages.

1. In the fall, after fertilization and water-charging irrigation, the area around the trunk is mulched, sprinkled with peat or a thick layer of sawdust.
2. When the snow falls, it is raked closer to the trunk and trampled. Another layer of sawdust is poured on top to prevent snow from melting at times of warming.
3. Since the tree has a small height, it is insulated by erecting it around the support in the manner of a pyramid and wrapping it with non-woven covering material.

Gardeners reviews

Columnar cherry is suitable not only for summer residents of the Moscow region, but also for more frosty regions of the country. From such compact trees, it is possible to lay a mini cherry garden and rejoice in solid harvests every year.