Cherry Shokoladnitsa appeared in 1996 by crossing 2 varieties - Lyubskaya and Consumer goods black. The development was carried out by Russian breeders on the basis of VNIISPK. From the parents, the hybrid inherited a dark shade, rich taste, frost resistance, self-fertility and low height.
Cherry Shokoladnitsa
Cherry Shokoladnitsa is frost-resistant
Cherry Shokoladnitsa has a rich taste
Description of the variety
The chocolate girl belongs to a stunted species with a maximum tree height of 2 to 2.5 meters.
The stem (stem) bark is brown or brownish gray. The crown is of medium density with raised branches. The top has a blunt end, so when viewed, it gives the impression of an inverted triangle.
Characteristic features of the variety:
- Straight shoots covered with brown bark with a grayish coating. On them, kidneys are formed, which have a conical shape and a length of up to 4 mm, which are tightly pressed against the branches.
- Foliage formed from the buds, it is characterized by a light shade below and dark green above. The surface of the leaves is matte, the shape is regular oval. The apex is obtuse, the base is slightly sharp.
The peculiarity is the double serration of the edge (there are smaller elements on the main teeth). The average length of the petiole is 1 cm 5 mm. - Petals free on white flowers. One inflorescence contains about 3 flowers, which indicates a high yield. Serrated sepals are located on the calyx.
- Berries weigh 3-4 grams, have an average size of 18 x16 cm. The shape of the fruit is wide, flattened and round with a yellow stone inside (its mass is not more than 10% of the total weight).
The ripe color is a rich dark burgundy, at the last stage of ripening it turns into black colors. - Peduncle differs in length from 32 to 36 mm. The pulp has an average density, due to which it is easily separated from the stone, the shade is dark red.
Variety characteristics
If the agrotechnical measures are organized correctly, the tree is properly cared for, then the Shokoladnitsa cherry variety will also meet the declared characteristics.
Resistance to adverse factors
Cherry Shokoladnitsa is considered a heat-loving fruit tree, but at the same time it easily tolerates winter frosts.
She is not whimsical to drought, since she has a well-developed root system. Thanks to its strong bark, the plant is not afraid of cold winds.
Growing regions, endurance
It grows best in the southern regions, but it can adapt to the central part of Russia.
These are areas such as:
- Smolenskaya;
- Tula;
- Bryansk;
- Moscow;
- Vladimirskaya;
- Ryazan.
The chocolate girl is considered hardy, since it can withstand frosts down to -20 ° C, if the temperature drops, gardeners recommend covering the plant from the lower side of the trunk for the winter.
Pollination, flowering and ripening period
Hybrid cherry is included in the group of self-fertile culture, therefore it is fertilized with its own pollen and can grow far from other fruit trees.
To increase the level of yield, it is recommended to plant Shokoladnitsa next to crops such as Griot (sweet cherry), Sklyanka and Vladimirskaya cherry. The distance between them must be at least 2 meters.
The variety begins to bloom in mid-May, and the fruits fully ripen after July 20. The first harvest after planting seedlings can be harvested after 4 or 5 years.
Productivity, fruiting and taste
One adult tree can bear fruit from 11 to 12 kg. When growing cherries Shokoladnitsa on an industrial scale, the maximum yield is 95-97 c / ha, the average - 76-78 c / ha, so this is a medium-yielding variety.
The fruit has a sweet and sour taste with a slight bitterness like a sweet cherry.
Features:
- sugar content - 12.4%;
- acid - 1.6%;
- professional assessment of tasters for sweetness - up to 4 points.
Scope of berries
The variety is considered universal for its purpose, as it has good taste characteristics. Scope of use:
- compotes and drinks;
- liqueurs, wine;
- jams, preserves, jam, jelly;
- baby puree, marshmallow;
- sweet pastries;
- sauces.
Ripe berries can be frozen and made into dried fruits. Fresh fruits are stored at temperatures up to +6 ° С for no more than 3 days without a stem and 10 days with it.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
For more than 20 years of existence, the Shokoladnitsa managed to be appreciated by gardeners and large farmers, therefore, the following advantages of the variety are noted:
- compactness, due to which space is saved and the process of leaving and harvesting is simplified;
- frost and drought resistance;
- fast ripening of berries;
- self-pollination;
- saturation of color and taste, sweetness;
- unpretentiousness.
Agronomists also highlighted the disadvantages:
- treatment against pests and diseases is required;
- average yield indicators;
- the desire of birds to eat delicious berries.
Landing features
Shokoladnitsa is adaptable to any soil, but it must necessarily be loose (so that a lot of oxygen comes in) and with neutral acidity. A slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 7.0 is ideal.
Features when landing:
- The variety does not tolerate stagnant moisture, therefore, groundwater must pass at least one and a half meters from the surface.
- If the soil is clayey and sticky, the roots will suffocate. In this case, it is necessary to add humus, chernozem, sod soil or peat to the seat. The amount should be such that there is a free-flowing structure.
- The pit is not made according to the parameters of the root system (unlike other varieties), and deeper and wider by 15-30 cm.The main roots have a length of 20 to 40 cm, thin - up to 70 cm.
- Loose soil is prepared to a depth of at least 55 cm, 3 m in diameter.
Choosing a landing site
Cherry loves warmth and a lot of light, so a spacious plot is selected for Shokoladnitsa (without tall trees nearby).
If the crop is shaded, yield and sweetness will decrease, and the risk of fungal pathogens will increase.
It is undesirable to plant Shokoladnitsa next to pine needles and an apple tree.
Selection and preparation of planting material
It is better to buy seedlings from trusted sellers - in specialized stores or from close friends. There are rules for choosing planting material that you need to adhere to:
- ask the seller about the age of the shoot - it should be a maximum of 2 years old, you can determine this by its height: an annual plant should reach 80 cm, a biennial plant - 1 m 20 cm;
- inspect the seedling - a healthy culture has no damage, broken roots, spots, buds should form on the shoots, if you make a purchase in the spring;
- measure the length of the roots - in annual cherries it is 22-28 cm, in two-year-old cherries - 33-36 cm.
If you bought a shoot in the fall, you need to prepare it by doing the following:
- In the garden, dig the seedling into the soil so that only the crown remains above the surface.
- Before the onset of frost, cover in 1-2 layers with agrofibre. Leave it on until the first snow melts.
As soon as stable warm weather is established (+
Reproduction
The chocolate girl is propagated in 2 ways - by grafting, cuttings. To grow a shoot for grafting, you need to collect the bones in the summer, choosing the largest ones.
Be sure to check them for emptiness inside. After that, place in a weak manganese solution for a couple of hours, rinse. Then you need to follow the instructions:
- Place seed in low wooden boxes.
- Sprinkle with moistened sawdust, leave until October, periodically pouring warm water.
- Transplant the seeds into open ground. If severe frosts are planned, cover the area with branches or other material.
- In the spring you will find sprouts. Thin them out by rejecting weak elements and leaving a distance of 20 cm between them.
- Fertilize the soil in the spring and water the plant during the summer.
- After a year, vaccinate with the cuttings using the standard method.
How to propagate a Shokoladnitsa cherry by cuttings:
- Prepare cuttings in late June or early July, that is, during their intensive growth. Cut shoots from healthy and fully formed trees. The length of the sprout is 10-12 cm.
- Prepare a container up to 15-20 cm high.Pour a mixture of equal amounts of peat and sand into it. Sprinkle lightly with slightly diluted potassium permanganate, moisten with warm water (do not allow the liquid to stagnate, this will exclude rotting of the cuttings).
- Plant the shoots in the soil mixture at a distance of 7-8 cm from each other and a depth of 3 cm.
- Cover the box with plastic wrap, put in a well-lit place, but do not allow direct sunlight.
- When the first roots appear (this is noticeable), periodically open the container for 3-5 hours. Gradually increase the time, this helps to harden the plant.
- Dig in the cuttings in the fall, transplant in the spring.
Diseases, pests of the variety and measures to combat them
The chocolate girl is not exposed to all diseases and pests that “love” cherry crops, but there are those among them that are found in this variety, so preventive treatment is required. If you follow all the rules, the resistance of the variety to pests and diseases increases.
Name of disease / pest | Signs | Treatment / control methods | Preventive measures |
Coccomycosis | It is manifested by the formation of dots of a brown tint on the foliage on top and a light pink bloom below. As a result, the leaves fall off (the fruits are not affected). | Cut off the affected branches, treat the cut with a solution of 1% copper and 3% ferrous sulfate, spray with Bordeaux liquid (3%) twice after 14 days. | Digging the trunk circle. |
Hole spot | It differs first in red, then brown spots on the leaves, in the place of which dryness and holes form. Fruits, buds, shoots, flowers are destroyed. | Similar to coccomycosis. | |
Moniliosis | It is characterized by strong drying of flowers and branches first, then fruits. A fleecy grayish bloom forms on the berries. | Fungicide treatment (Topaz, Skor, Fundazol). | In spring, a thorough digging of the soil is required. |
Rust | Red spots on the leaves, framed by a rusty edge. | If found after flowering, Hom is used, after picking berries - 1% Bordeaux liquid. | Do not plant conifers nearby. |
Cherry weevil | Localized on flowers, ovaries, leaves, buds. | Spray Karbofos twice with an interval of 7 days. | Remove aged bark in autumn. If found in spring, shake off insects and destroy. Pre-treat with a solution of 150 ml of chamomile broth, 10-13 liters of water and 60 grams of brown laundry soap. |
Aphid | The presence of small insects that stick around leaves, buds, young growths. | Inta-Vir, Fitoverm preparations. | Spraying with tobacco or laundry soap infusion. You can not abuse nitrogen fertilizers. |
Cherry moth | The moth caterpillar affects the entire tree. | Treatment with Karbofos. | Loosen the soil more often. |
Variety reviews
Nikita, 39 years old, gardener, Krasnodar region. An excellent variety, despite the average yield. But cherries are in great demand, the tree gives a lot of shoots (you can trade in cuttings).
Vlada, 44 years old, housewife, Ryazan region I have been growing Shokoladnitsa for 15 years, I always get a lot of delicious cherries, from which I make canning. And recently I prepared a sauce for meat and it also turned out original.
Natalie, 27 years old, manager, Tula. This variety was planted in the country. It was accepted easily, no special care is needed. The berries are sweet enough for cherries.
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Cherry Shokoladnitsa is an excellent choice for lovers of sweet berries with a subtle sourness. It is enough to plant 1-2 trees near the house so that these dark fruits will delight all family members all year round.