Recommendations for Cherry Seedling Cultivation
Cherry is one of the earliest ripening stone fruits. It is widely consumed not only in our country but also around the world. Cherry fruit is juicy, firm, and pleasantly edible, rich in essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. In Uzbekistan, it is advisable to plant cherry varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions. Cherry is sensitive to soil and climate: it grows best in fertile soils and can adapt well to gravelly soils. However, it does not tolerate saline, waterlogged, or overly dry soils. In areas where the gravel layer lies close to the surface, growth is weak and slow. While cherries are not highly sensitive to air humidity, rainfall during ripening can cause fruit cracking. Cherry trees begin bearing fruit 5–6 years after planting. Over 100 cherry varieties are known, with the most commonly cultivated in Uzbekistan being Qora gilos (Black Cherry), Samarqand Cherry, Drogan’s Yellow, Revershon, Volovye Serdtse, Elton Clone, Sarvi Surkhoni, Bahor, Pink Napoleon, and others. In cherry orchards, planting schemes vary: 6×5 m in irrigated loamy soils, and 6×5.5×5 m in gravelly soils. Seedlings should be planted before bud break, typically from late February to early March. Before planting, mix 300–400 g phosphorus, 30–40 g potassium, and 5–6 kg well-rotted manure into each planting hole. Fresh manure should never be used directly under the roots, as it may damage the seedlings. As with other fruit seedlings, the roots are dipped into a slurry made of manure and soil before planting, and the hole is then thoroughly watered. The graft union of the seedling must remain 4–5 cm above soil level and should not be buried. Water should also be kept away from the graft site during irrigation.
Cherry seedlings are pruned to shape from the second year. The tiered pruning method is used: the main shoot is cut at 70–80 cm. As the tree matures and branches multiply, some thick branches are also pruned to rejuvenate the tree. Cherry productivity depends on the number and retention of bouquet branches. Flower buds are found on 20–30% of growth shoots and 70–80% of bouquet branches. As the tree ages, fruiting concentrates on bouquet branches. Cherry blossoms in early April. Early varieties ripen by early May, and sometimes by the end of April. The vegetation period lasts 240–250 days. Planting a single variety in an orchard is not recommended, as it reduces yield potential. Pollinator varieties should be interplanted. For consistent yields, select varieties that bloom simultaneously. The best pollinators include Qora gilos, Bahor, Frantsis, Ramon Oliva, Drogan’s Yellow, Qora Napoleon, and Pink Napoleon. Irrigation: Depending on soil and climate conditions, cherries are irrigated 6 to 10 times per season. In fertile soils, 6–8 irrigations use 800–1000 m³ of water. In gravelly soils, 8–10 irrigations are applied, with about 600 m³ of water used. Fertilization depends on soil fertility. Mineral fertilizers are applied in pure form as follows: 100–120 kg nitrogen, 100–120 kg phosphorus, and 60–70 kg potassium. Yields can reach 110–150 centners per hectare.
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