Cherry Caucasian

In this article, we will consider the Caucasian cherry. Work on the breeding of this variety was carried out on the territory of the North Caucasus Research Institute for Horticulture and Viticulture in Krasnodar under the guidance of the authors of this work: E. M Alekhina and M. A. Kolesnikov. The variety is obtained by pollination of the sweet cherry variety Jealous and pollen of the Andolskaya cherry variety. The Kavkazskaya sweet cherry variety was approved for zoning in 1987, during the same period the first application of the variety for industrial cultivation in the North Caucasus took place. According to statistics, the Kavkazskaya sweet cherry variety is one of the most common varieties of medium-early ripening in the Krasnodar Territory.

Cherry Caucasian: description of the variety and characteristics

Cherry Caucasian: variety photo

Fruit trees of the Kavkazskaya sweet cherry variety have the peculiarity of growing in a fairly short time, the height of the plant is of average size. The crown is formed in the form of a wide oval and forms a thickening of the leaf cover and shoots at the level of the average. Annual shoots are colored with a light brown color, in some cases a green color with a slight touch of gray tint can be observed. The kidneys are of medium size. The generative kidney is oval, slightly elongated. The vegetative bud is shaped like a cone.

The leaf plates of the Caucasian sweet cherry are formed in two types: in an oval shape and a narrow oval shape, the size of the leaf is medium in size. The leaves turn green, a little darkish in color, there is no anthocyanin. The tops of the leaf plates have significant sharpening; at the base, the leaf plates are formed in two ways: either in a pointed shape, or in the form of a wide wedge. Along the edge of the leaves there is a small frame with a serration of a double-edged shape. The flat surface of the leaf plates of the Caucasian cherry has a matte finish and slight pubescence along the lower part of the leaf.
The petioles of the Caucasian sweet cherry grow to an average size and have an average thickness, along the entire length they are stained with an anthocyanin color. Each piece of iron is also well colored. On each petiole there are 2-3 glands.

In the inflorescence, no more than 3 flowers are formed, the size of which is more than the average, the formation of saucer-shaped inflorescences. The petals of the Kavkazskaya cherry variety have rounded shapes, they are fairly freely spaced from each other. The color of the petals is pale pink. At the time of flowering, the color of the petals becomes more pronounced, a bright pink tint. The flower stamens are of various sizes, medium and relatively short, but the pistil is quite elongated, almost 1.8 centimeters, located much higher than the anther. The calyx has a glass-like shape and the sepals are even. In the process of fruiting, a bouquet twig is involved, by 82%, and the rest of the percentage is occupied by the fruiting bases of the growth shoot.

The fruit of the Caucasian sweet cherry has an average weight, does not exceed 6.5 grams in general. In an exceptional case, you can get berries, the weight of which is up to 7.5 grams. Formation of the fruit in the form of a wide oval, a small depression of the funnel on the berry, the apex of the fruit is rounded. Dark red color of the surface of the berry, the pulp of the fruit is the same rich red tone. The density of the pulp is of fairly good quality, and the juiciness of the pulp has a high rating on the scale of assessing the taste parameter of fruits of any variety. The juice of the berry is the brightest, but the color is similar to the pulp, red.
The stone of the Caucasian cherry fruit is formed by an oval, weighing up to 0.2 grams, the color is lighter, beige. At the base and at the top, the bone has a rounded shape. The separation from the pulp occurs without much effort. The average length and thickness of the stalk of the sweet cherry. The stalk is relatively freely separated from the berry, a dry type separation occurs.

The fruits of the sweet cherry variety Kavkazskaya have an attractive presentation, that is, the external indicators are above average, the fruit is covered with a fairly even, shiny layer. According to the tasting assessment, the taste of the fruit is estimated at 4.8 points, these are quite high indicators, which attracts the attention of gardeners to this variety. There is another attractive plus sign - the fruits of the Caucasian cherry are minimally damaged from cracking.

A little about the chemical composition of the fruits of the Caucasian cherry variety:

• dry matter in the amount of 17.4%;
• sugars occupy no more than 12%;
• only 0.6% are acids;
• the amount of vitamin P is 38.4 mg per 100 grams of the product;
• ascorbic acid is 11.3 mg for every 100 grams of fresh fruit pulp.

As stated by the authors when breeding the Kavkazskaya sweet cherry variety, excellent indicators of the transportability of the crop. The fruits of this variety are universal, that is, they can be safely used both for the preparation of various technical processing, and for dessert use. Fresh product has excellent taste.

The Caucasian sweet cherry belongs to the subgroup with early flowering periods, mass ripening of the crop also occurs, the mid-early period is approximately in the first days of June. In the period of full fruiting, the tree is able to enter at the age of 5 years. This variety belongs to the group of self-fertile varieties. Speaking about yields, we can say with great accuracy about high rates. For example, in the years most favorable in terms of climatic conditions, fully fruiting trees bring more than 60 kilograms of harvest from each tree. With the industrial cultivation of cherries of this variety, the following indicators can be seen - 12.5 tons per hectare.

Representatives of the Kavkazskaya cherry variety show excellent winter hardiness in a particularly extreme winter climate. Blooming buds are moderately resistant to late spring frosts. The resistance of Caucasian cherries to prolonged drought is quite good. Well-developed immunity to various diseases of fungal origin. Resistance to the disease coccomycosis is slightly lower, but not lower than the average. When aphids appear on trees, the lesion occurs in an insignificant form, with appropriate proper care and, of course, a quick reaction at the first symptoms of aphid manifestation. Virtually no damage from cherry fly activity was observed.

Cherry Caucasian: reviews of the variety

Gardeners, in general, leave positive reviews about the Caucasian cherry varieties. The undoubted advantages of the Caucasian cherry gardeners include:

• high appreciation of the taste of the berry and its excellent presentation;
• excellent immunity to various kinds of diseases;
• the productivity of an adult, full-fledged fruiting tree is at a good level.

The only, most important disadvantage, according to gardeners, can be considered a weak resistance to freezing during the spring growing season.