Cherries are one of the tastiest and most desirable fruits of summer. It is believed that the earliest and best varieties come from France.There, the qualities of these fleshy, juicy fruits were known already 400 years ago.Louis XIV was a great lover of cherries, thanks to him the cultivation and breeding of these stone fruit gained considerable momentum.
The 'Königin Hortense' variety comes from the Napoleonic times, a deliciously aromatic cross between cherries and cherries. Unfortunately, due to its strong growth and fruit sensitive to rain, it is recommended for cultivation only to the most persistent connoisseurs and collectors.
Fortunately, there are a whole lot of new, tasty, much smaller varieties also suitable for growing in small gardens.By grafting carefully selected varieties on a slowly growing rootstock (such as 'Colt') manages to obtain trees with a neat spindle-shaped shape and a limited range of the crown.
Garden cherry varieties
When choosing a garden variety, let's be guided not only by its environmental requirements, but also by the yield date. Unlike pear and apple trees, which are generally classified into early, mid-early and late-season cherries, cherries are harvested in what are known as the weeks of cherry ripening.
The earliest varieties, such as 'Rivan' (dark red fruit, yields profusely), ripen in the 1st and 2nd week of cherry ripening (depending on the weather, it lasts from late May to early June).As a curiosity, it can be added that the fruits of these cherries, although eaten by starlings or grosbeaks, do not become worm-eaten, because they ripen before the laying of eggs by the tarantula seed beetle.
In the 3rd and 4th weeks of ripening cherries, the fruit varieties are 'Burlat' (large, juicy fruit) and 'Karesova' (medium-sized, dark red, juicy fruit). In the 7th and 8th week of cherry ripening, i.e. practically at the end of the season, they bear fruit, among others. 'Kordia' (good-looking and tasty fruit) and 'Regina' (large fruit not prone to breaking).
Cherries are an alien species, which means that in order to bind the fruit, at least two mutually pollinating varieties (pollinators) must be present.Only a few cherries, such as' Lapins ',' Stella 'and' Karina 'are self-pollinating, i.e. self-sufficient.
Cherries are mostly self-pollinating, so single, solitary trees are also fruiting. It is no different in the case of the new 'Safir' variety, the fruit of which is so sweet and juicy that it can be eaten fresh with pleasure.
Of course, they are also delicious when made into juice or compote.'Gerema' is also suitable for preserves, cakes and food.Ripe cherry fruits can stay on the tree for up to two weeks, so they can be harvested as needed.We will gain a few more days after storing them in the refrigerator.
Plant he alth sources
Planting and pruning sweet cherries
Cherries, as well as cherries, should be pruned after picking. The term is favorable in that the wounds heal better in summer than at other times of the year, making the trees less susceptible to disease.In winter, we do not prune the trees.Cherries are demanding, they grow best in sunny and sheltered positions, in fertile, moist, but not wet ground.
The trees are planted in early October or early spring. The fruit should be processed immediately after harvesting. Cherries are suitable for freezing, drying and compotes.As the research has proven, dried fruit retains the most flavor and active substances important for he alth (we drill and dry them in a fan oven at 30-50 ° C). Prepared cherries taste no worse than raisins and can be added to cakes or eaten as a snack.
Cherry in a pot
The variation of 'Sylvia' creates a small, compact crown. The fruits of this cherry are very large, have a red, juicy, tasty flesh, they are not prone to breaking. 'Sylvia' is perfect for container cultivation on a balcony or terrace.
The trees are characterized by a compact crown shape and poor growth force. However, attention, after planting into the ground, may reflect and eventually grow to a height of several meters.Mini cherry, unlike an apple tree, must be regularly trimmed on the side shoots.
