Cherry Gift to Stepanov

A young frost-resistant cherry variety The gift to Stepanov has received universal recognition and love, since it has unpretentiousness to growing conditions and the ability to grow and bear fruit in the conditions of the central regions of Russia and the Urals. The tree is very beautiful in itself, especially in bloom or in autumn dress. Cherry fruits are intended for cooking compotes, preserves, confitures, they are used in baked goods and consumed fresh.

The authorship in breeding the variety belongs to L.I. Zueva, M.V. Kanshina, A.A. Astakhov, breeders of the Bryansk Research Institute of Lupine. The Gift to Stepanov was registered in the State Register in 2015.

A medium-sized (3.5 m) tree has a pyramidal raised crown of medium density. Gray scaly branches extend from thick, bare skeletal shoots that are light brown or olive in color with a slight silvery tinge. The crown is covered with large foliage with a medium-wide elliptical plate. The surface is matte, the tip of the leaf is elongated, pointed, the edges are double-serrate, the notches are large.

White five-petal flowers are collected in three-flowered inflorescences, ovaries are formed mainly on bouquet twigs. A medium-sized stone separates well from the pulp, the separation of the fruits is dry. The general appearance of the tree is extremely attractive and decorative at any time of the year. In the spring, the cherry is covered with white boil so that the foliage is almost invisible; in the fall, after the fall of leaves, the bark enhances the silvery tones.

Medium-sized blunt-hearted fruits weighing 4.1 grams are colored in a dark red palette and are attached to a medium-long slender peduncle. The skin is delicate, but dense, with a glossy sheen, devoid of pubescence.

The dark red cartilaginous flesh has a sweet taste, the juice is the same color as the flesh. The fruits contain 19% dry matter, 12.9% sugars, 0.5% acid and 13.9% vitamin C. The berry received a high tasting score - 4.9 points.

The plant begins to bear fruit at 4 years after planting, fruiting is regular. The variety belongs to the mid-late ripening category, the harvest begins at the end of July.

The average yield of the variety is 82 centners per hectare.

The variety is adapted for the central regions, but shows excellent performance in the Urals.

A self-infertile variety needs a neighborhood of pollinating varieties. The most suitable varieties are Teremoshka, Bryanskaya pink.

For growing cherries, they choose sunny places with protection from northern winds and drafts - ideally, the southern exposure of a gentle slope. The plant prefers sandy and loamy light soils with good air permeability. It should be borne in mind that in the early years it will be necessary to organize a winter shelter. Since the color and ovaries of cherries can die from recurrent frosts, for this period, the flowering plant must be covered with a non-woven agricultural canvas.

Close proximity to groundwater should not be allowed. If a suitable plot has exactly this disadvantage, the seedling can be planted on an artificially created earthen hill. The optimal size of the landing pit is 60x60x80 cm, the time is spring. Can be planted in warmer regions in autumn. The pH should be close to neutral. Acidic soils are deoxidized with dolomite flour or lime. The excavated soil is enriched with organic matter, wood ash, superphosphate, a drainage layer of pebbles, gravel, broken brick is poured onto the bottom and a support for the plant is installed.

Part of the enriched soil is poured into a mound in the hole, a seedling is lowered from above, gently spreading the roots over the surface of the earth and covered with the remaining soil. The root collar must remain above the surface. A protective embankment is arranged around the trunk circle and watered abundantly with warm water. The next day, the soil must be loosened to prevent the appearance of a crust. The weak trunk is fixed on a support.

Further care consists in traditional activities: watering, weeding, loosening or mulching, sanitary and shaping pruning.

First-year seedlings need regular weekly watering, adult plants are watered much less often, about 1 time per month, if there is a drought. During the rainy period, watering is stopped altogether.

Additional food begins to be introduced one year after planting. In the spring, the tree needs nitrogen fertilization to build up its vegetative mass. Phosphorus-potassium preparations are applied during flowering and ovary formation. In the fall, after leaf fall, the trunk circle is covered with a thick layer of humus or compost.

Sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring, removing dried, broken, growing inward branches. During the forming pruning, the shoots are shortened by 30 centimeters, stimulating the laying of future fruit buds.

Disease resistance

It can be noted with confidence that the strong immunity of the Gift to Stepanov provides high resistance to coccomycosis and moniliosis, as well as fungal diseases and pests.

The variety has high winter hardiness and drought resistance.