Cherry Ovstuzhenka

Sweet cherry Ovstuzhenka was intended for cultivation in the middle zone of our country. This variety combines several valuable characteristics and qualities at once. The advantages include yield, large fruit size, excellent taste, frost resistance. It is thanks to these qualities that this subspecies is considered a leader. The sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka is widespread and loved even in the northern regions of our country. The culture is considered to be partially self-fertile. 10 percent of flowers will be able to form ovaries, although there are no pollinators nearby.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: variety description

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: photo of the variety

The sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka appeared thanks to the works of the scientist-breeder V.M. Kanyshina. The variety was added to the State Register in 2001 and is suitable for cultivation in the Central zone of our country. For its breeding, the varieties Leningradskaya Black and Venyaminova Compact were crossed. This selection was carried out in Bryansk, more precisely at the Lupin Research Institute. The result is a variety with very early fruiting, which is combined with resistance to cold weather. The best reviews about this plant are given by the southern regions of the Non-Black Earth Region.

In the first five years of its life, after planting, the Ovstuzhenka cherry tree is gaining its growth, while spreading in height. And then, in the sixth year, the first fruiting of the tree begins. As a result, this plant does not have very large growth, but a rather dense spherical crown, due to which it is quite convenient to collect fruits and carry out care. The leaves of such a tree have a rounded, elongated and pointed shape, with denticles and a short petiole. When ripe, the fruits are endowed with a very dark, almost black shade, and each berry also weighs up to 7 grams. Cherries of the Ovstuzhenka variety also have the following characteristics:

• Big size.
• Oval or round shape.
• Dark burgundy shade.
• The inner part is very juicy, has an average density and separates quite well from its stone.
• If you look at a five-point scale, then the taste characteristics of these berries are estimated at 4.5 points, they have a sweet taste.
• Each berry contains: ascorbic acid 13.4 milligrams per 100 grams of product, sugar 11.6 percent, solids 17.6 percent.

The sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka can be grown even in the harsh and unfavorable conditions of the regions of Siberia. The variety has a fairly high frost tolerance. Although initially the variety was intended for cultivation in the Central region of the country, including Ivanovskaya, Bryansk, Tula, Kaluga, Smolensk and Moscow regions. Although this subspecies has good resistance to cold weather, it is still required to be protected from the north winds and be under the sun.

Characteristics of the variety

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: photo of the variety

The main characteristic of the Ovstuzhenka cherry variety is its versatility. Sufficiently tasty and healthy fruits with tonic characteristics can be used both fresh, not processed, and processed for storage. This variety is also very fond of farmers due to its resistance to cold weather, due to which the subspecies is grown in various weather conditions. This plant is often grown in private gardens, due to its unpretentiousness and excellent harvest, and early.

As practice has shown, the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka is able to withstand frosts down to -45 degrees, therefore, as mentioned above, this tree is cultivated absolutely in all regions of Russia. Speaking about the dry period, this culture requires a timely irrigation procedure. The tree of this variety is considered a fairly moisture-loving crop. During watering, one such tree should take up to about 20 liters of water.

The flowering period of this plant begins in the second half of May. The tree is covered with inflorescences, consisting of three large flowers and a white shade. A distinctive feature of this sweet cherry subspecies is the high resistance to cold of vegetative and flower buds. At the moment when the berries of this tree acquire a dark shade, ripeness and harvest begins. Usually, the ripening of fruits occurs in the last week of June, and in the southern regions the berries fully ripen by mid-June, while the regions of the Trans-Urals begin to harvest one month later. Pollinators of sweet cherry Ovstuzhenka are simultaneously flowering subspecies.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka forms a huge number of ovaries after the flowering period, if other subspecies of this culture grow near it. In this case, up to 32 kilograms of ripe fruits can be harvested from one such plant, which, in turn, is considered a high indicator. Such scientific tests were carried out, after which the yield from one hectare of such plants was up to 206 centners per year. To ensure the good preservation of the berries, they must be plucked together with the stalk when picking. Otherwise, the useful composition of substances threatens to be lost. The fruits are not prone to cracking, so they can be safely transported over long distances. It is worth noting that at an air temperature of more than 6 degrees and a humidity of more than 80 percent, the fruits of this variety retain their freshness during storage.

Sweet cherries are considered to be quite a healthy berry. Cherry fruits Ovstuzhenka are able to strengthen blood vessels and heart. Their chemical composition contains the entire spectrum of multivitamins, which is considered sufficient to fill the deficit during vitamin deficiency. Such fruits are eaten fresh, although various compotes, desserts and jams from these berries are also excellent. The fruits of this subspecies can be frozen.

In order to avoid infection of this plant with diseases of a fungal nature, spraying and whitewashing of the tree trunk should be carried out in order to prevent it. It is worth mentioning such an important fact as the presence of immunity in this variety to such common and dangerous diseases as moniliosis and coccomycosis, which, in turn, very much attracts gardeners. You should also carry out preventive measures against insect pests. Although this tree should provide very good protection from attack by rodents and cold winds.

Like any other variety of sweet cherries, Ovstuzhenka has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of this culture include:

• A high level of frost tolerance, due to which the variety can grow in any region of Russia.
• The tree is small in size, due to which it is simple and easy to care for and harvest.
• The fruits are large in size and have excellent taste characteristics.
• Immunity to fungal diseases.
• Early maturation.
• High yield level.

The disadvantages of cherries of the Ovstuzhenka variety include:

• A small rate of self-pollination, about 10 percent.
• Low level of cold resistance of plant stems.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: planting varieties

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: photo of the variety

Before planting a cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka in the spring, you need to prepare in advance in the fall. For this, a landing hole is dug with an approximate width of 80 centimeters and a depth of about one meta.The hole is filled by one third with such a mixture: two buckets of soil, one kilogram of wood ash, one kilogram of potassium sulfate, three kilograms of superphosphate, 30 kilograms of compost or manure. If you complete all these preparatory actions, then in the spring the cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka is planted immediately, while when planting in the autumn, preparation is required, which lasts about 15 days.

• Timing

In the southern regions of our country, a cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka should be planted in the autumn, for its rooting, while in the Moscow region this plant should be planted in the spring. From the second half to the end of April, they begin to prepare the place and plant a young tree. By this time, the soil should have warmed up enough. For the autumn landing, the beginning of the second half of October is suitable. At the same time, the soil is warm, but not dry.

• Site selection

Cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka should be planted in a sufficiently illuminated area, from the south or southwest side. This plant requires fertile soil, sandy loam or loamy soil is perfect, and groundwater should be located low. This culture is rather bad for sandy, clayey soil, as well as peat. If there is clay soil in the selected area, then two buckets of sand should be poured onto the bottom of the planting hole, and with sandy soil - the same amount of clay. The best option for planting this plant will be a small hill, but if there is none, then you can do it yourself. The soil needs to be raised by half a meter. Moreover, the location of groundwater should be at least one and a half meters deep. When planting several seedlings of this variety at once, it is required to leave a distance of about 3-5 meters between young trees. For each individual such plant, 12 square meters or more are allocated.

• Cherry Ovstuzhenka: pollinators for the variety

In order for this cherry variety Ovstuzhenka to be able to produce a good, full-fledged harvest, several specimens of a different variety should be planted near it, preferably at least three pieces, and pollinators should have a flowering period simultaneously with this subspecies. The best subspecies for this would be: Tyutchevka, Pink pearl, Raditsa, Iput, Bryanskaya Pink and Revna. A good effect can be even with pollination of this subspecies with varieties from a neighboring plot. Behind the trunk circle of this plant, green manures and honey plants are planted. When mowing these crops, you can get mulch that will feed the cherries. Under no circumstances should this plant be planted near a large size in crops, for example, pear, apple or cherry, as this tree must receive sufficient sunlight. Shrubs, as well as strawberries, should not be planted under this plant, because the developed rhizome of this culture will not provide an opportunity for undersized plants for full development.

• Selection and preparation of a seedling

Before you start growing this cherry variety, you need to competently approach the choice of a cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka. It would be best to purchase a seedling in a specialized nursery or a special garden store. So you will have a guarantee about the authenticity of the subspecies. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the following features:

• The indicator of the variety, that is, the site of grafting, must be clearly visible.
• The seedling must have a sufficient number of branches.
• The bark of a young tree should not have various spots and wrinkles.
• There should be no dried roots among the roots of the seedling.

Cherry seedling Ovstuzhenka should have a powerful and strong central stem, as well as shoots. The seedling should be one or two years old. Only in this situation will a good tree be formed in the future with sufficient branching for fruiting.Without a strong trunk, a tree of this variety, under the weight of berries, can simply break. The acquired seedling is not required in special preparation, the most important thing is to carry out preparatory work with the soil. Although you should pay attention to the fact that the young plant is clean, without the presence of any kind of obstacle on the root system for the nutrition and respiration of the culture. It is worth saying that keeping the seedling in the sun before planting is not worth it, as it can simply dry out, which, in turn, will certainly affect the yield in the future.

• Disembarkation rules

Planting a seedling of the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka does not differ much from the planting of other subspecies of this culture. First, a peg should be driven into the planting hole, prepared in advance, which will serve as a support for the future tree. A small mound is made at the bottom of the hole to install a seedling. They put the plant on this mound and gently straighten the root system, raising the root collar above the soil at a distance of about five centimeters, and cover it with soil. It is required to shake the seedling a little, in order to remove all the voids, and tamp the earth. About 50 centimeters from the young tree, a hole is made into which 20 liters of water are poured. The trunk circle of the plant is covered with straw and the seedling is tied to a peg. During the first pruning, only the 4 largest branches remain. After you have placed a young plant in the right and favorable place for it, shoots are removed on its trunk at a level of up to one meter, so that the crown of the plant is laid at a faster pace. The tree trunk circle should be constantly cleaned. You should also water this plant, while avoiding stagnation of moisture, dirt, so that its roots can breathe calmly. It is also required to regularly loosen the soil, especially after rains, in order to maintain the fertility of the soil composition.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: variety care

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: photo of the variety

The formation of the crown of the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka is done using the pruning procedure. For this, skeletal branches are cut for four years. After which they are thinned out every year, while doing sanitary pruning. At the same time, the growth is slightly limited, due to which the plant becomes compact and easy to harvest. Watering the tree from July to August is not considered mandatory, due to the fact that this can reduce the resistance to cold, and the development of the stems slows down, but at other times it is favorable. It is required to spray this plant in order to prevent and control harmful insects and diseases. In the autumn period, top dressing in the form of horse manure should be applied to the soil, since it is considered the best fertilizer for this fruit tree. In the spring period, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied, due to which the development of the plant is accelerated. It is best to sprinkle the urea around the cherry tree near the stem. After harvesting ripe fruits, the plant needs to be prepared for the winter season. To do this, during the period from July to August, the plant is fed in the form of superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Also, in the autumn, it is required to whitewash the tree trunk, thereby protecting it from damage in the winter.

Diseases and pests

Sweet cherry Ovstuzhenka has good immunity to such dangerous diseases as moniliosis and coccomycosis, although treatment in the form of spraying for this tree must be followed, despite this fact. Spraying is carried out with nitrophen, using a solution of copper sulfate. In the spring, this plant will not be afraid of various kinds of fungi. When treating a tree from harmful insects, at the same time you will receive protection from diseases and infections carried by these pests. With proper care of this plant, keeping its near-stem circle clean, gum flow can be avoided. Small rodents are very dangerous enemies for this culture.To combat them, nets are used, which are spread over the surface of the earth near the tree trunk.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: reviews of gardeners

Cherry Ovstuzhenka: photo of the variety

The fruits of the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka contain vitamins that a person needs, in the amount of 10 out of 25 possible. Cherry Ovstuzhenka is considered partially self-fertile, which is some plus, because then ovaries will constantly be present. Another advantage of this subspecies is that it is early, its frost tolerance is good, and in the presence of pollinators, the plant gives a bountiful and good harvest. With proper and timely care, these benefits will immediately show themselves, thereby greatly delighting the gardener.

There are a lot of reviews about the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka. Here are some of them:

• I got the cherry variety Ovstuzhenka by accident, initially I followed the cherry, but the store advised me to take this cherry. It was risky, of course, to take this culture, because I live in the suburbs, but they persuaded me. As a result, I was very pleased and did not regret my decision at all. For six years now, we have been collecting three buckets of delicious fruits from a tree. Children and grandchildren are happy and fed! The only thing that had to be done was to plant Ovstuzhenka for the cherry variety and also a pollinator. But it was worth it!

Peter, 67 years old

• Together with a friend, they started a farm, themselves from the Bryansk region. There could be no question of growing cherries, obviously a bad thing. But then they hired a fairly sensible and experienced agronomist, and he persuaded us to take such risks. He assured us that he was aware of all the features of caring for this crop and advised several subspecies. As a result, the sweet cherry variety Ovstuzhenka turned out to be the most profitable from the commercial point of view. Currently, the area of ​​the site has been increased, the fruits are sold quickly and without a trace. And another plus is that the plant practically does not get sick. One profit and no losses! I have a friend who lives in the Smolensk region, he also decided, like us, to start cultivating this plant. We recommend planting cherries of the Ovstuzhenka variety in the first place!

Anton, 41 years old