Description of the Zhukovskaya table cherry variety

Every gardener is always concerned about the appearance of their garden. They strive to select the best trees for planting, ensure a good harvest, and ensure that the garden looks beautiful and eye-catching at any time of year. And we're sure that every garden has a tree like the cherry. There are a wide variety of varieties suitable for planting in our areas. Each cherry variety has different characteristics, produces different amounts of fruit, and even has a distinct appearance. But one of the varieties found in many gardens—the Zhukovskaya cherry—deserves special attention. Let's talk about it.

Content

1 Description of the variety
2 Main characteristics
3 Care and pollinators
4 Harvesting and storage
5 Pros and cons
6 Video "Zhukovskaya Cherry"

Description of the variety

The Zhukovskaya cherry variety has been known for quite some time. It is considered a veteran of orchards. It takes its name from its creator, S.V. Zhukov, who bred it by sowing seeds from Michurin varieties. Bred back in 1947, it has become quite widespread in many regions. The trees are not very tall, their crown is round and slightly spreading, of medium density. Overall, this is a medium-sized tree, not too small and not too large, which is what many gardeners and vegetable growers like.

Main characteristics

Cherry shoots are medium-sized, slightly curved, and often reddish or brown. The lenticels are also medium-sized, golden-hued, and spaced sparsely. The buds, typical of cherries, are medium-sized, pointed, and pubescent. They grow from the shoot itself. The leaves are also medium-sized, rich green, and slightly glossy. Their shape often resembles a boat—concave downwards, with a rounded base and a smoothly tapering tip.

The variety description also confirms that cherry blossoms always have five flowers. The flowers themselves are large, white, and very beautiful—large, rounded petals with a conical, slightly drooping calyx. The tree's fruit sets on these bouquet branches, sometimes on the previous year's growth.

The description of the Zhukovskaya cherry fruit is as follows:

externally they are very attractive for any gardener or vegetable grower;
large, beautiful and regular in shape;
one berry can weigh about 4–5 grams, on large trees – up to 8 grams;
Their shape is oval-heart-shaped, the base is round, the top is oval.

The skin of the fruit is dark red. The flesh is dense, soft, and very juicy. It has a pleasant sweet-tart flavor, somewhat reminiscent of cherries. As confirmed by many characteristics, cherries of this variety receive the highest taste and tasting scores, with ratings of 5 and above. The juice is dark, and the pit is large.

What else is remarkable about this variety? It can bear fruit for up to 15 years, on average, which is very good. The plant itself has a long lifespan – 18–20 years.

Care and pollinators

To obtain such delicious and juicy fruits from this cherry variety, additional pollination from other tree varieties is necessary. The best pollinator is the Lyubskaya variety, but Vladimirskaya, Apukhtinskaya, and Molodezhnaya are also frequently used. Zhukovskaya is considered one of the most undemanding.

Trees are watered approximately 4-5 times per season, with the first watering required approximately a week before fruiting begins. The required amount of water ranges from up to 3 buckets, depending on the tree's size.

Loosening the soil after watering is also recommended; this will positively impact fruiting. Fertilizing begins only after the tree's third year! During the growing season, fertilizing can be done up to three times a month. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus fertilizers are typically used. Pruning and removal of dead leaves and branches is done in early spring and late fall.

Harvesting and storage

Cherry berries ripen around mid-July. If the summer is cold or rainy, they ripen closer to August. This variety is noted for its fruit's resistance to shedding and its durability until harvest. The cherries ripen in a single stage.

The yield of fruit depends directly on the tree's age. A ten-year-old cherry tree can yield up to 20 kg per season, while a twenty-year-old tree can yield up to 30 kg on average. The stems are removed during harvesting. The fruit is placed in shallow containers without washing. It is stored in a cool place with high humidity (up to 90%). Cherries can be stored this way for up to 15 days. Refrigerated, they can last up to 3 weeks.

Pros and cons

Like all trees, this cherry has some disadvantages:

The variety has low winter hardiness.
Large size of the stone in the fruit.
The need for additional pollination by other varieties.

But there are also tangible benefits:

High yield, up to 30 kg per season.
Long stay of berries on the tree itself, until the harvesting period.
The best taste qualities.
Small size of tree and fruits.
High resistance to diseases and ease of care.

If you're looking for a beautiful tree that produces good, tasty, juicy fruit in abundance throughout the season, then this cherry variety is perfect for you. Its low maintenance, disease resistance, and medium size make it a welcome addition to any garden.

Video "Zhukovskaya Cherry"

In this video, you will hear a description of the Zhukovskaya cherry variety.