"Chinese" cherry: characteristic varieties and features of care

“Chinese Felt Cherry”, which grows on Far Eastern lands, is currently not popular enough in the regions of Russia.But this does not mean that such an Asian variety of berries should be avoided.

Thanks to its high resistance to frost and temperature changes, you can easily grow it in your garden. Unpretentious care and excellent sweet taste should draw your attention to this culture.

“Felt”, or “Chinese”, cherry is a real native of Asian countries - China, Mongolia and Korea, where it is presented in the wild. Culture began its way a few centuries ago, but only reached the Russian territory at the end of the 19th century. The locals of the Far East associate cherries exclusively with "Felt", and for cultivation they mostly use unvaccinated saplings.

For the breeding of large-fruited forms breeder Ivan Michurin was responsible, who called this variety "Ando". Thanks to him, "Kitayka" was in European markets. If you pay attention to its appearance, you will notice a significant pubescence of shoots, leaves and the fruits themselves. It is this feature and defined the name "Felt".

Cherry fruits have large reserves of carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamin and macronutrients. The advantage over the usual cherry variety - the vitamin C content is twice as much! The percentage of iron is also high, which greatly exceeds apples.

The height of the tree reaches three meters, making the cherry considered “Dwarf”. The shape of the crown is a bit like an oval or even a ball. Feature are powerful shoots. The leaves are slightly wavy, small. The berries are small. Depending on the variety, the color of the berries is also determined: shades from light milky to dark maroon colors. Sweet fruit with a slight sourness, which does not spoil the taste.

During flowering on compact cherry bushes appear white fragrant flowers with the scent of honey. Such a beautiful bouquet naturally attracts bees.

In addition to taste and aesthetic qualities, red berry bushes with spreading branches can act as a reinforcing material for the structure, for example, fence, hedge, border.

Grade advantages:

• easy to maintain and harvest due to the small size of the tree;
• easy cultivation and reproduction;
• pleasant sweetness in taste;
• decorative appearance of the bush;
• early fruitfulness;
• stable yields;
• the berry does not crumble;
• not afraid of coccomicosis;
• early fruit ripening;
• resistant to drought.

Disadvantages:

• high levels of susceptibility to the disease moniliosis;
• short lifespan (10 years);
• part of the samobesplodnaya varieties (pollinator planting is necessary)
• the flesh and the bone are poorly separated from each other;
• poor transportation;
• does not tolerate excess moisture.

Due to its beneficial properties, cherry is one of the most necessary berries for the human body. With the onset of summer, the counters of markets and shops are filled with beautiful burgundy berries. They like both adults and children. And this is understandable. Sweet taste, pleasant aroma can not hook. And another important factor - the berry is quite satisfying, which makes it ideal for a snack.

The caloric value of 100 g of “Chinese” cherry is about 20 kilocalories, among which are:

• 0.8 g of protein;
• 0.2 g fat;
• 10.4 carbohydrates.

In addition to BZHU, the product has a high energy value:

• water;
• ash;
• beta carotene;
• organic acids;
• starch;
• vitamin A;
• B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9);
• vitamin PP;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin E.

The mineral composition is also varied:

• phosphorus;
• iron;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• iodine;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• sodium;
• sulfur - to maintain the thyroid gland and cleanse toxins;
• fluorine;
• chlorine - regulates water balance, gets rid of excess fluids;
• copper;
• boron - to maintain joints, strengthen bone tissue;
• manganese;
• vanadium - regulation of lipid metabolism;
• molybdenum;
• cobalt;
• rubidium - uses antihistamine properties, fights inflammatory processes;
• nickel.

A rich list of natural elements, of course, endowed the product with medicinal qualities. Berry is used in traditional medicine, where she manages to reveal fully all of its useful properties:

• normalization of the heart and vascular system;
• strengthening the immune system;
• normalization of metabolism;
• the functioning of peristalsis;
• adjustment of the general condition of the blood and its formula;
• increased hemoglobin levels;
• maintaining the nervous system;
• increased female reproductive function;
• solving male sexual problems;
• prevention of aging of the human body;
• help with diabetes.

The pulp of the "Felt" cherry is rich in the necessary substances, without which it is simply impossible to maintain health. So let's start with glucose. As you know, it is a monosaccharide. For a living organism, it is a powerful energy source. It has a special effect on the central nervous system. The action of glucose supports nerve cells. And also is indispensable for athletes and people with an active lifestyle.

Fructose is involved in the process of energy synthesis. It is less calorie than its relatives sweeteners. Patients with diabetes and those who are overweight need this element.

The metabolism cannot function correctly without malic acid. Thanks to this substance, the general tone of the body increases, the pressure decreases, the digestive function is normalized. Be careful you need people with gastrointestinal problems. A large amount of malic acid can worsen the condition of an already sick stomach.

Citric acid will help prevent new kidney stones and dissolve existing ones. She was awarded the title of the most powerful antioxidant.

For the improvement and maintenance of normal metabolism is responsible polysaccharide - pectin. It has a beneficial effect on the intestines and blood circulation. Important: it can reduce the level of harmful cholesterol. Tannins, or tannins, cope with the problems and ailments of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Possess cleansing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and hemostatic effects.

Of course, we have listed not all the benefits of the fruit of the shrub. In addition, cherry perfectly copes with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial function. Greatly facilitates the digestion of animal proteins and fats. Residents of China consider their native berry a helper in maintaining kidney and liver function, and the so-called optic nerve is also on this list. "Felt" is used to treat dysentery, malaria, epilepsy, angina pectoris, bronchitis, skin rash, eases the symptoms of menopause in women.

But there is a downside, called contraindications of the product. The main rule is: do not abuse! Harmful berry can be for owners:

• ulcers, gastritis and ulcerative colitis (increased gastric acidity);
• diarrhea (bowel relaxation);
• tooth sensitivity (the presence of malic and citric acids adversely affects the enamel of the teeth).

Start planting cherries recommended in the fall or spring. At this time, the kidneys are not yet dissolved, which is a favorable factor. If you choose autumn - plant in September, not later. Use seedlings a year or two. The best place to plant will be a well-heated soil in direct sunlight, protected from wind and drafts. Not the best option would be elevated terrain without access to groundwater.

It is important to monitor the level of moisture. Excess water adversely affect the root system of the cherry because of its high sensitivity. When planting a tree, do not bury the root neck too much to avoid its diaper rash.

So, we proceed to landing the "Chinese". We dig a hole 40-50 cm deep, 50-60 cm wide. The important point is to prepare a planting mixture from manure (3 buckets), phosphorus (50 g), lime (600 g) and potassium (25 g). Pour the mixture into the hole. This mass will be enough for 1 square meter of land.

Next, you need to cut the sapling roots somewhere in the 15-20 cm. Mix the clay with water. In this solution you need to lower the seedlings.

It will not be superfluous if around the bush to fertilize the earth with peat. The key to successful development and future harvest - the right care for the plant. To do this, it will be correct to find out about the weaknesses of “Felt” cherries: the density of the crown increases quite quickly, the root system overheats, and is subject to a fungal disease.

Consider how to properly care for the culture.

• It should be watered only on dry days. Cherry does not tolerate excess moisture, so the level of humidity should be monitored more carefully.
• Increased acidity of the soil has a negative effect on the plant. High rates disrupt the exchange process, which harms fruiting. A certain process called “soil chalking” will be able to solve this problem.
• Do not forget to carry out the prevention of plant diseases. In the spring and autumn periods it is better to treat the land with a fungicide.
• Top dressing of an adult bush should be carried out 2 times per season. Add a mixture of superphosphate (20 g) and potassium chloride (25 g) to the soil at the trunk. In the spring enough 20 g of ammonium nitrate. It is not recommended to feed young saplings up to two years.
• Preparing for the winter, tilt the seedlings to the ground and warm them with a good pile of straw or spruce branches. Fertilize the territory also with peat.
• "Chinese" cherry susceptible to aphids and scutes. To combat them, it is recommended to treat the sites with chemical compounds.

Only after the shrub turns 3 years old, you can begin to form the crown:

• select about 10 strong branches of the bush;
• get rid of dry, sick and damaged;
• shorten by ¼ of length.

Having carried out the correct and necessary cutting, you will provide a plant with enough sunlight.

The main tips relate primarily to care. Gardeners recommend choosing loamy and sandy soils for the shrub seat. Peat and heavy soils should be avoided. Before planting, it is better to clear the ground from weeds. It is possible to regulate humidity, as well as significantly reduce the number of waterings due to mulching using peat or any other organic matter. As often as possible check the branches and leaves for the presence of harmful insects.

In the next video you are waiting for the subtleties of caring for Chinese (felt) cherries.