You can't surprise anyone with exotic things in gardens.
Advanced gardeners have long been growing peaches, apricots, cherries, kiwis, grapes, and pears on their plots.
Felt cherry is no exception, loved by gardeners for its gentle nature and juicy, sweet harvest.
Let's get acquainted, cherry.
A plant that can withstand frosts of -40°, early fruiting, the first berries appear a year after planting.
Feels at ease in open, sunny places with moderately acidic soil. The bushes have no shoots.
When planting seedlings in an area where groundwater lies at the soil surface, they will become sick.
Pets are the first in the garden to bloom after winter hibernation, when there are no leaves on the trees yet. During this period, cherry trees stand in bloom like brides.
The bush is an early honey plant. To attract bees, it is useful to spray the crown with water with honey added.
In July, the pets attract envious glances from neighbors. The bushes are covered with red (like large beads) berries. Due to the abundance of fruits on the branches, it is difficult to see the leaves.
The taste of cherries resembles sweet cherries, sweet, juicy. To obtain rich harvests, several varieties should be located on the plot.
Landing
The seedlings take root in early spring and autumn.
Plant in pre-prepared 50x50 cm planting holes with the addition of:
• 20-30 kg of humus (fresh manure cannot be used);
• 5 kg of dolomite flour (to deoxidize the soil);
• a bucket of sand;
• kilogram of wood ash;
• 0.5 kg. superphosphate;
• a glass of potassium chloride.
Carefully shovel the ingredients. The cuttings do not tolerate deep planting, it is important to ensure that the root collar is located above the soil surface.
On the southern side, stick a strong stick and tie the seedling. Make a watering ditch within a radius of 30 cm from the trunk, pour 2-3 buckets of water into it. For quick survival, water the plantings with babies periodically for a month.
Agricultural technology of cultivation
During growth, felt cherry does not cause any trouble to its owners.
Pet care consists of the following stages:
• During recurrent frosts, the crown of the cherry tree is sprayed with water during flowering. The resulting ice will protect the buds from freezing;
• In early spring, when the buds begin to open, carry out the first spraying with 3% Bordeaux mixture to prevent infection with diseases. The drug “Fundazol” is also used for these purposes;
• In June, seedlings are treated with a top dressing of liquid manure in a ratio of 1:10. Such a treat has a beneficial effect on the growth and yield of cherries;
• For foliar feeding and stimulation, spray the trees three times with boric acid: dissolve 6-20 g in the required volume of water. Treat the first time before flowering. The second time - at the beginning of mass flowering. The third time - during the period of fruit growth, for a positive effect on the harvest of the next year;
• At the end of September, carry out moisture-charging watering. To prevent the roots from freezing, 10 buckets of water with the addition of potassium permanganate or wood ash should be poured under the tree;
• In winter, tree trunks are covered with a thick layer of snow, and sawdust is added on top. This technique will delay the flowering of plantings by 7-8 days, reducing the risk of flowers being damaged by frost.
If you make friends with the felt cherry, observing simple agricultural practices, the tree will reward you with a generous, juicy harvest.
The berries are tasty fresh, they can be used to make jam, compotes, and frozen.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya