Cherry variety Zhukovskaya
Zhukovskaya is an old medium-ripening ordinary cherry variety. Received at VNIIG and SPR them. Michurin through sowing seeds of Michurinsky cherry varieties from free pollination. The authorship belongs to S.V. Zhukov and E.N. Kharitonova. Since 1947, the variety has been zoned in the Central, Central Black Earth, Middle Volga and Lower Volga regions.
The trees are characterized by an average vigor of growth (height - 1.5 - 3 m), the crown is slightly spreading, rounded, medium thickened and medium leafy. Shoots of medium thickness, curved, reddish-brown color. Lentils are of medium size, silvery-yellow in color, rarely located on the shoot. Buds are medium in size, pointed in shape, without pubescence, lagging behind the shoot, colored brownish gray. Leaves are larger than medium size, oblong-oval, with double- or triple-crenate serration along the edge, the color is dark green. The leaf blade with a slight gloss, in shape - slightly concave in the form of a boat and curved downwards, the base is rounded, the apex smoothly passes into the tip. The petioles are long, medium in thickness, not pubescent, violet-red in color from the illuminated side. Stipules are large, long, not falling for a long time.
Inflorescences are 5-flowered. The flowers themselves are quite large (about 3 cm in diameter), white in color. The petals are rounded, above average in size. The pistil and stamens in the flower are of the same length. Calyx is conical, not pubescent, tinted green with a tan. Fruits are tied mainly on bouquet branches, partly on last year's increments.
The fruits of the Zhukovskaya cherry are outwardly attractive, large (the average weight of the berry is 4 g, some specimens reach 6 - 7 g), in shape - oval-heart-shaped with a rounded base and an oval apex. The skin is dark red. The pulp is quite dense, juicy, dark red, with a very pleasant sour-sweet taste, similar to the taste of cherries. The tasting mark is the highest - 5.0 points. The juice is dark colored. The stone is medium in size (0.29 g +/- 0.01), relative to the weight of the berry, it occupies 7.7%, in shape it is oval-ovoid (12.0 × 8.3 mm), the separability from the pulp is good.
By chemical composition, the fruits contain: dry matter (15.86%), the amount of sugars (9.41%), acids (1.42%), ascorbic acid (19.8%). The variety is universal in use: it is used fresh, suitable for processing in the food industry. The suitability of fruits for mechanized harvesting is noted.
Medium flowering variety. The fruits reach ripeness in the 2nd decade of July. The ripening process on the tree is simultaneous, ripe berries do not crumble. Cherry begins fruiting in the 4th year. The average life expectancy of trees is 18 - 20 years, good fruiting is observed up to 15 - 16 years of age.
Zhukovskaya is a self-fertile cherry. Among the best pollinators, the following varieties are noted: Vladimirskaya, Youth, Lyubskaya, Apukhtinskaya and Consumer goods black.
The level of productivity of the variety is good: 10-year-old trees bear 12 kg of fruit each, and from 20-year-old trees, up to 30 kg of berries can be harvested.
Winter hardiness of this cherry is average. In severe winters, flower buds may freeze completely, wood freezes. In some cases, these factors lead to the death of trees.
The variety is highly resistant to coccomycosis, in comparison with other zoned cherry varieties. It also shows good resistance to such a dangerous viral disease as ring spot.
Among the main advantages of Zhukovskaya cherries: high-quality universal fruits, high resistance to a number of diseases and pests.
Among the disadvantages: a rather large size of the fruit seed and only an average level of winter hardiness of flower buds.
I did not think that Zhukovskaya cherry has such a weak frost resistance, and that it is prone to freezing in harsh winters. Several trees of this variety grow in my yard, and the climate is not particularly mild, but I have been observing them for five years now, and they normally resist frost. With the fruits, everything is correct - now the trees are 10 years old, and the berries weigh up to 7 grams. It is a very tasty and juicy berry, but it is difficult to wash your hands after it - probably, the high content of ascorbic acid affects.
What is so good about this berry is that it can be used both freshly picked and canned. Compotes and jam from it are excellent! This year there was a large harvest of cherries, so we made liqueur from it. Delightful taste, even with pits.
In the 90s, Zhukovskaya planted cherries. I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the berries. She grew up in a calm, so she lived with us for a long time. It was distinguished by its productivity, children loved it very much. It defended for two decades, then degenerated. In its place now there is a bush, which also bears fruit, although the berries are sweet, they have become small.
Ryazan Oblast. Winter 2016 - 2017 Today is April. The kidneys begin to swell and half open. But, on the cherry varieties Zhukovskaya, the buds froze. Those under the snow cover are intact. We will continue to observe.
How to distinguish Vladimirovskaya cherry from Zhukovskaya?