Cherry Lighthouse

Growing a fruit tree that will yield an excellent harvest in harsh climatic conditions is not easy, since you need to choose a variety that is adapted to the cold and other weather conditions. These include the large-fruited cherry Mayak of domestic selection.

The cherry variety Mayak appeared in 1974 thanks to the works of scientists from the Sverdlovsk Horticultural Selection Station. The authors of the culture are S.V. Zhukov and N.I. Gvozdyukova. The variety was bred by free pollination of Michurin varieties. The recommended growing area is the Middle Volga region.

The lighthouse is a medium-sized tree that looks like a bush. In favorable conditions, the cherry grows to a height of 180-200 cm. The fruit crop is characterized by a wide-round crown shape, good spreading of branches of a grayish-brown color, moderate thickening of green leaves, small, sharply elongated buds growing at an acute angle, and a developed root system. Ovaries are formed on annual growths and bouquet twigs.

Three flowers are collected in the inflorescences. During the flowering period, which occurs in late May - early June, the crown of the bushy tree is densely covered with large snow-white flowers that smell nice. The life cycle of a fruit crop is 25-30 years.

Cherry Mayak is a large-fruited variety. On an adult tree, the berries gain an average of 4.5 grams. The shape of the fruit is correct - rounded with a noticeable flattening near the seam. Ripe berries are evenly covered with a dark red color with a smooth and glossy surface. The peel of cherries is thin, not tough, elastic. The abdominal suture is weak.

Berries have a universal purpose - they are eaten fresh, used in cooking (baked goods, compotes), processed into preserves, jams, juices, frozen, preserved whole. It is also worth noting that the harvested crop requires immediate processing and use, since the detachment of the stalk is difficult - it damages the integrity of the berries, provoking sap flow. Fruit transportability is weak, as well as shelf life.

Lighthouse is a delicious cherry. The red flesh has a tender, medium-dense fleshy structure with high juiciness. The juice of the berries is thick and rich. The taste is balanced - sweet and sour, without sweetness and astringency. A small bone (weight 0.25 g) separates well from the pulp. Cherry pulp contains more than 7% sugars and beneficial acids.

Cherries are medium-ripening varieties. The first fruits can be expected in the 4th year after planting. The berries do not ripen at the same time, so the ripening period is somewhat delayed - up to two weeks. The peak of mass fruiting occurs in late July - early August. Overripe cherries do not crumble, but they can crack.

The yield indicators for the tree are average. An adult tree, with proper care and favorable conditions, can yield from 5 to 15 kg of ripe berries. In the southern regions, the tree is more productive - it gives up to 25 kg of cherries.

Cherry growing geography has expanded significantly over the past decade. The tree is massively grown in central Russia, as well as in Belarus, the Baltic States and Ukraine.

This variety is partially self-fertile (from 7 to 20%), so you should think about planting donor trees with similar flowering times. The following varieties are considered the best pollinating trees: Generous, Polevka, Toiler of Tataria, Shakirovskaya and Nizhnekamskaya.

You can plant a cherry tree in spring and autumn, but spring planting is considered more favorable. For cultivation, a one-two-year-old seedling with a healthy root system and a height of no more than 80-110 cm is recommended. The distance between plantings should be 250-300 cm so that no shade of crowns is formed.

To grow a tree, you should choose an even and weed-free area, preferably on a small hill. The best place for a tree will be the southwestern part of the site, where there is a lot of sun, and there is also protection from drafts.

Cherry agricultural technology consists of regular watering, loosening and mulching the soil, applying fertilizers (humus, ash, nitrogen, potassium), forming a crown, pruning branches - sanitary and rejuvenating, preventing viruses and preparing for winter.

The immunity of this species is not very high. The tree can be subject to various diseases that affect fruit and berry crops - coccomycosis and fruit rot. Among pests, aphids and a slimy sawfly are considered the most dangerous.

Cherry Mayak is characterized by excellent drought resistance and average frost resistance, which allows the tree to withstand temperatures as low as -25 ... 35 degrees. The tree loves light, moderate moisture, space and warmth.

A cherry tree grows comfortably on light loams, endowed with air permeability, fertility, and sufficient moisture. It is important that the soils are with low acidity and deep groundwater.