Cherry Ovstuzhenka

Cherry Ovstuzhenka is one of the most popular varieties adapted for cultivation in central Russia. Trees even tolerate snow-free frosty winters well, often act as pollinators for other plants, and attract bees as a honey plant. The variety is fruitful, capable of bearing fruit even in the absence of pollinators in the garden.

Ovstuzhenka was obtained by breeder M.V. Kanshina by crossing the varieties Kompaktnaya Venyaminova and Leningradskaya Black. It was approved for use in 2001, although the application was filed back in 1993.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka has a universal purpose, suitable for processing, fresh fruit consumption. The trees are medium-sized, reaching an average height of 3.5-4.5 m. The crown is dense, spherical, slightly raised in shape. Shoots glabrous, straight, not very thick, colored brownish-brown. Fruiting mainly occurs on bouquet branches. The leaves on the tree are bright, green, egg-shaped.

The tree gives the main growth during the first 5 years after planting.

The cherries are rather large, with an average weight of 4.2-6.7 g each. The shape is correct, round. The thin skin is dark red, as is the flesh underneath. The bone is well detachable. The fruits are easily torn off, have a beautiful appearance, are transportable, not prone to cracking.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka - juicy, sweet, without pronounced sourness. The fruits receive a tasting score of up to 4.2 points. They are well kept fresh for a long time after removal.

Trees begin to bear fruit in 4-5 years after planting. Ostuzhenka is an early sweet cherry that ripens in the first half of June. Harvesting begins when the fruit is dark in color. In the Trans-Urals, the period for reaching full ripeness is shifted by 4-5 weeks.

The average collection rates when grown in orchards are 102 c / ha. The maximum yield is declared at a loss of 206 c / ha. Up to 32 kg of fruits are harvested from a single tree.

Ostuzhenka grows well in Central Russia, in the south. But there is experience of its successful planting and fruiting in Siberia.

The trees are partially self-fertile; in the absence of pollinators, about 10% of the fruits of the total mass of inflorescences are tied. You can achieve high yields if there are cherries on the site Tyutchevka, Iput, Bryanskaya pink. Flowering occurs in the 2nd decade of May.

The trees are planted in spring and autumn. In cold latitudes, it is preferable not to do this before winter in order to avoid freezing of young trees. Mid-April is fine. In the south, autumn planting is possible until mid-October. Plants need a lot of sun, fertile soil without the predominance of clay, sand, peat, mixed soils are suitable.

For the first 4 years, trees need regular pruning. Form a sweet cherry Ovstuzhenka, shortening the skeletal branches. In the future, damaged or overgrowing parts of the crown are removed from an adult tree. Watering is needed from May to June, in July it is stopped so as not to reduce the frost resistance of the tree. Fertilizers are applied mainly nitrogen, in the autumn, for digging the soil, and also in the spring.

The variety has a genetically high resistance to moniliosis and coccomycosis. He is sick with clasterosporium disease, preventive treatments are needed. It is recommended to whiten the trunk regularly to protect it from pests. In winter, the trees are damaged by rodents. The trunk must be protected, and the surface of the soil around it must be covered with nets.

In case of contamination of the near-trunk circle, gum flow may be observed in cherry trees of this variety. It is important to keep it clean by promptly removing fallen leaves and other debris.

This cherry has good winter hardiness. Flowers do not crumble during spring frosts. The frost resistance of trees is high, they can withstand a drop in air temperature to -45 degrees. The drought resistance of the variety is not too high, it is sensitive to soil moisture, and needs regular watering.

Ovstuzhenka is one of the most favorite cherry varieties of summer residents. Due to its general unpretentiousness, frost resistance, it takes root even in difficult climatic conditions. The tree, according to gardeners, grows compact, it is easy to harvest from it. The fruits get very high marks, and the dark red juice is good both preserved and fresh. The collected cherries are suitable for sale, their presentation does not deteriorate after transportation, but the collection should be carried out together with the stalk.

Early ripening of fruits is also considered a big plus. Very little time passes from flowering to dark red, almost black cherries. Moreover, even in the Moscow region, the yield does not suffer after return frosts. Amateur gardeners point out that trees very rarely suffer from diseases, but thrushes and other birds can annoy them when the fruits reach the stage of maturity.

There are not so many cons. Among them - the loss of about 30% of the branches during severe frosts. Weak self-pollination also causes dissatisfaction. In order for the variety to show its best characteristics, another cherry tree will have to be planted nearby. It is noted that the yield also falls in the absence of sufficient care - abundant watering, thinning of the crown.