Large-fruited unpretentious cultivar of columnar cherry "Sylvia"
Sylvia is one of the most popular varieties of columnar cherries. The culture is grown not only on an industrial scale, but also on personal household plots. The article will tell you about the positive and negative characteristics of the variety, the requirements for growing and the nuances of care.
The content of the article
Description and characteristics of the cherry variety
Sylvia is a columnar cherry variety bred in Canada in 1988 by scientists K. Lapins, D. Jefferson and D. Lane as a result of crossing the varieties Lambert Compact and Van.
Suitable for cultivation in the southern and central regions of Russia, Ukraine and southern Belarus. Provided the trees are insulated for winter cultivation in more northern regions is possible.
Description of the tree and fruit, taste
Tree characteristics:
- height up to 3 m even on wild stock;
- a straight trunk, on which there are practically no side branches;
- vertically growing shoots;
- dense crown of cylindrical shape, which almost does not require formation.
The berries are large, up to 3 cm in diameter, with an average weight of 10-12 g, covered with a glossy, dense, dark red peel not prone to cracking. The pulp is rich red with pink veins, juicy, dense and crunchy, characterized by a bright, sweet, honey taste.
Frost and drought resistance
The variety tolerates a drop in air temperature to -28 ° C, during flowering - to -2 ° C.
In case of drought, trees continue to develop, but the lack of moisture negatively affects the quality and quantity of the crop.
Variety resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to pest attacks and various diseases, including fungal diseases.
Pollinators varieties
This is a self-infertile variety, so several other varieties of cherries are planted nearby to set fruits and yield. Best pollinators for Sylvia:
- Cordia;
- Lapins;
- Regina;
- Helena;
- Sam;
- Hedelfinger;
- Rainier;
- Ulster;
- Vega;
- Samburst.
Flowering and ripening period, yield
The flowering period is in May, the berries ripen in the first half (12-18) of June.
Fruiting begins 2-3 years after landing seedlings and lasts for 7-10 days. For 3 years of plant life, the yield is about 15 kg of berries, more mature trees give 50 kg of fruits each. Due to the high yield, the life of the trees is a maximum of 15 years.
Reference. In 1 and 2 years, all the ovaries are removed from the seedlings. This contributes to better rooting, since the tree does not waste energy in ripening the fruit.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the variety include:
- compactness;
- decorative appearance;
- large-fruited;
- great taste of berries;
- frost resistance;
- unpretentious care.
Among the disadvantages of Sylvia are:
- intolerance to strong and cold wind;
- medium degree of resistance to prolonged drought and excessively wet soil;
- the need for abundant sunlight;
- the inability to grow near tall plants.
Planting seedlings
Cherry Sylvia grows well in light, loose soil with good aeration and moisture permeability. The best option is sandy loam, coarse sandy and loamy soils.
For landing, a well-lit place, protected from a gusty cold wind, with a deep (at least 2 m) level of groundwater, located on a hill, is chosen.
Important! The variety does not like transplants, especially during the first 3-4 years.
When choosing planting material, preference is given to 1- or 2-year-old seedlings with a straight trunk, smooth bark, a living and intact bud of the upper shoot, a developed root system without signs of decay and tissue death.
Instructions for planting a seedling of this variety
Most often, especially in the northern regions, cherries are planted in spring (April - May), when the risk of recurrent frosts has passed. In this case, the seedlings will have time to take root before the onset of frost.
Reference. Autumn (late September - early October) planting is permissible only in the southern regions, where the plant will have time to take root and adapt before the onset of cold weather.
Planting instructions:
- A week before planting the seedlings, clear the selected area from plant debris.
- Dig planting holes on it 60-80 cm deep and 80 cm wide.
- Pour 3-5 buckets of rotted manure, 210 g of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and 1 bucket of river sand into each nutrient mixture, consisting of dug out fertile soil.
- Water the holes abundantly at the rate of 2 buckets of water each.
- After 7 days, pour a growth stimulant solution (Kornevin, Heteroauxin) into each pit.
- Drive a wooden stake into the center so that it rises 50 cm above the ground.
- Form a hill of nutritious soil in the pit.
- Put a seedling on it, gently spread its roots along the slopes.
- Sprinkle the roots with soil so that it fills all the voids, and the root collar rises 2-3 cm above the ground.
- Tie the trunk to the support.
- Tamp and water the soil, cover it with 5 cm of mulch.
Due to the compactness of the trees, dense planting is possible with a distance of 1 m between trees.
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Subtleties of further care
Cherry Sylvia does not require labor-intensive care. Agricultural technology comes down to regular watering and feeding of plants, as well as pruning.
Irrigation intensity
It is a moisture-loving culture: watering is especially important during the ripening of the fruit. During the first 2 years of life, trees are watered as the soil dries. 3-5 liters of water are poured under each tree. With the age of plants, the amount of moisture they need increases proportionally.
Fertilizing the soil
Fertilizers are applied once a year. Young trees are fed by adding 15-20 g of phosphorus and potassium mixed with humus under each. Adults need 50 g of complex mineral fertilizers (ammophoska, diammofoska, azofoska).
Pruning and shaping the crown
Although Sylvia does not need any serious pruning, it is important to shape the crown and point the branches in the right direction.
In the first year after planting, the tops of the trees and their lateral shoots are shortened to a length of 10 cm.The next year, the branches are shortened so that 20 cm remain on the lateral ones, and 30 cm at the top.After another 1 year, 30 cm are left.
Reference. As soon as the tree reaches a height of 2.5 m, pinch the top to stop further growth.
Disease and pest control
Cherry Sylvia has strong immunity to diseases and pests. To enhance the stability of trees, before the beginning of the flowering period, they are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid, and the trunks are whitewashed with lime.
Harvesting and storage
Harvested in mid-June. The berries are picked together with the "tails" first of all from the lower branches and gradually move to the upper ones.
The fruits are not prone to cracking, they tolerate transportation well and are stored without a refrigerator for 7-10 days, in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks.
Gardeners reviews
The gardeners who grew the Sylvia sweet cherry speak ambiguously about it.On specialized forums, there are both positive and negative reviews.
Lyudmila, Sevastopol: “We planted several varieties columnar cherries - Sylvia and Helena. They have been growing with us for 4 years. They were accepted well, never got sick during this time, there were no pests either. We have to water frequently and abundantly, because our climate is hot and dry. The berries are tasty, large. We were told that they will be the same, but it seems to me that Sylvia is still sweeter and more large-fruited. In the first year of fruiting, they collected a bucket of berries from each tree. "
Anatoly, Svetlograd: “I planted Sylvia and Sam at the dacha, for 3 years they bore fruit perfectly, I was pleased, but then Sylvia began to grow strongly to the sides, even the top. On the forums on the Internet, it was advised to trim. This year I did everything as recommended, but after that the yield dropped dramatically. "
Conclusion
Compact trees of columnar varieties of cherries are increasingly found on the personal plots of gardeners. A vivid confirmation of this is the Sylvia variety, loved by summer residents due to frost resistance, unpretentious care, high yield and large, tasty and sweet berries.