Cherry (duke) “Toy” - high yield and low winter hardiness

Cherry Toy: description of the variety

Cherry Toy: photo of variety

The Igrushka cherry variety is a fairly heat-loving planting that produces an excellent harvest, suitable for making preserves and jellies. This is a cherry-cherry hybrid, which has its own characteristics and characteristics, and which is excellent for growing in a wide variety of conditions. In 1996, the Toy was entered into the state register, and the Institute of Irrigated Horticulture of Ukraine named after M.F. is considered the originator. Siderenko. At the same time, the variety quickly gained popularity not only in Ukraine, but also far beyond its borders. In Russia, the toy was initially cultivated in the North Caucasus region, and a little later it began to be cultivated in other parts of Russia. The Toy cherry variety is recognized by gardeners as universal, and that is why it is so loved by many gardeners.

The parent varieties of the Igrushka cherry are the Lyubskaya cherry and the cherry called Solar Ball. From its parents, the Igrushka cherry variety took a very large number of positive characteristics and traits - fruiting in the third or fourth year after planting in open ground, a long period of fruiting and life in general (about 25 years), frost resistance, transportability over given distances without loss of external characteristics and taste. It is also worth saying that the Toy produces quite useful fruits - they have an antithrombotic effect on the human body, and can also relieve nervous tension. Of course, any person will involuntarily be in a better mood if he eats such tasty and very healthy fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages

The hybrid cherry variety Igrushka has positive and negative properties.

• Pros:
• universal application;
• high productivity, increasing every year;
• drought resistance;
• excellent taste;
• good presentation;
• possibility of transportation over long distances;
• immunity to major fungal diseases.

• Minuses:
• flowers do not tolerate temperatures below –25°C;
• planting of pollinator trees is required;
• Tall trees grow.

Cherry Toy: description of botanical characteristics

Cherry Toy: photo of variety

The Igrushka cherry variety has its own characteristics and distinctive features, which are undoubtedly worth paying special attention to:

• this is a vigorous variety, on average the tree reaches a height of 3.5-4 meters, but there are specimens seven meters high
• The crown is widely spreading and has a spherical shape. Over time, it becomes oval, but at the same time it lends itself remarkably well to shaping, so the gardener has the opportunity to create very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing plantings
• the bark is gray, over time it begins to peel a little, but this is a feature of the variety, and with age the peeling can intensify, sometimes small cracks appear on the bark
• the shoots are very thick and strong, have a brown or brownish color.

The bush is far from compact, its height is more than 2.5 meters, the crown is very neat and small, has an oval shape, and with age it becomes a little drooping. But the gardener can prune and create the shape that suits him best. The fruits of the variety are medium in size, but under favorable conditions they grow to large berries, which have a classic round shape and weigh about 4.5 grams. The stone is small, if we consider it in relation to the volume of the fruit, it is very well separated from the general pulp, and therefore this variety is very convenient for gardeners in processing. The seed is oval and large, but at the same time, sometimes gardeners say that in general, in relation to the weight of the fruit, the seeds are not very large and plentiful. The fruits are quite attractive, have a satisfactory taste, which is accompanied by an incredible aroma. The fruits contain a large number of useful components, which also have a beneficial effect on the human body and on its immunity and resistance to stress.

Growing

Cherry variety “Igrushka” is drought-resistant, winter hardiness is average: the wood tolerates frosts down to -25.1 ° C, but this damages most of the generative buds.

The variety is self-sterile. The best pollinators are “Shalunya” and “Samsonovka” cherries; cherries “Valery Chkalov”, “Large-fruited”, “Franz Joseph”.

Trees begin to bear fruit at 3 years of age. “Toy” is a medium-ripening variety: cherries ripen on June 28-30.

Productivity is high. From 10-year-old trees you can collect from 45 kg to 72.1 kg of marketable fruit.

What fruits does the Igrushka cherry produce, the specifics of fruiting

Cherry Toy: photo of variety

Let's talk a little about the fruiting of the Igrushka cherry variety, since it is very important to take such circumstances into account, especially when the gardener starts pruning the planting. Fruiting of the variety usually begins on last year's shoots, and fruits can also form on numerous bouquet branches. The most important thing is to constantly monitor the condition of the planting, to prevent the development of unfavorable characteristics and diseases, and also to ensure that the cherries are under no circumstances affected by pests. Young shoots that were formed this year bear only vegetative buds, but next year they will begin to bear fruit, so it is recommended to constantly monitor their growth and, if necessary, prune them so that the plantings feel more comfortable and safe. In addition, the overall appearance of the tree will depend on pruning, so you should be as careful as possible with all this. But we’ll talk about this a little later, when we move on to the part with agricultural technology and caring for cherry plantings.

Judging by the fact that gardeners leave a fairly large number of reviews about this variety, cherries are distinguished by the fact that the fruits on them are very large. But the originator initially indicated in his description that the fruits are miniature - one cherry reaches a weight of no more than four grams.

But even here it is worth saying that assessments of external characteristics are always quite subjective, and gardeners who have not previously grown cherries on the plot can evaluate the result obtained and the harvest as plentiful, and the berries as incredibly large in size. All that remains is to understand that in any case, the maximum result can be achieved, but at the same time it is necessary to invest your own time and effort so that in the future the planting feels as comfortable as possible, and so that in the conditions of a harmonious microclimate the Toy cherry does not fight for its existence, and calmly devoted all her strength to the formation of the harvest. We can conclude that the size of the cherries, as well as their external characteristics and the abundance of the harvest, are all determined by climatic and temperature conditions, as well as the area in which the plant grows, and whether it has received enough care from the gardener.

Care and planting

Plant care has its own peculiarities. Planting cherries of this variety can be done in late autumn or early spring, when the plant has not yet awakened from winter hibernation.

The place for planting the Toy should be chosen in a well-lit area. The location of the water does not matter, since the plant has shallow roots and is not susceptible to getting wet. The only thing that can harm the plant is meltwater that will collect near the trunk during the spring melting of snow.

Cherry variety Toy needs:

1. Regular pruning of branches. By leaving old or dry branches, gardeners risk attracting pests to the site. Thinning allows the plant to increase the growth of young shoots and increase yield.
2. Timely harvesting. If ripe cherries remain on the tree for a long time, it will be difficult for the plant to form new buds in time.
3. Insulating the trunk and protecting it from rodents. Such measures are especially important for plants under 7 years old.
4. Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. It is better to use infusions of cow manure or bird droppings, as well as green manure. Once every 3 years, it is necessary to add lime to the soil around the cherry tree. This will reduce the acidity of the soil to standard levels.

The Toy also needs annual treatment for diseases. The soil under the seedling can be mulched with compost or peat. This will not only protect the soil from drying out, but will also prevent pests from entering.

Cherry Toy: main characteristics of the variety

Of course, you should initially carefully study the information about the varieties and their characteristics, so that in the future it will be easier for you to decide whether the gardener wants to plant this variety and whether he will be able to devote his time to caring activities. But practice shows that even without this, sometimes plantings feel quite favorable, since sometimes it is enough just to create a normal microclimate for the plant so that in the future the cherries will simply bear fruit. The composition of the soil is also very important, and we will definitely talk about this a little later.

The opinions of gardeners may differ, since any assessments are based solely on the subjective opinion and understanding of the gardener. In addition, sometimes the opinion of an experienced gardener is completely different from the opinion of a gardener who has just started his activity, and this has its own subtleties. Most gardeners claim that the cherry variety produces incredibly rich and very tasty fruits that really deserve attention. They have dessert characteristics and a universal purpose. But there are those who claim that this is the most ordinary cherry, which may have its own characteristics, but certainly not in external or taste characteristics. In this case, disputes may arise, but we recommend trying to grow this variety on your own plot in order to see from your own experience whether this variety is so favorable and interesting, or whether the gardeners are right, and such cherries are no different from most other varieties that are grown on plots today. It is always worth checking such points from your own experience, so that you can then decide for yourself whether it is worth planting cherries on the plot at all. Sometimes climatic conditions are unfavorable, the composition of the soil is not the most suitable, and in this case the harvest may not work, and even after planting the tree will not grow as actively as the gardener would like.

In terms of their hue, both the fruits and the juice that is obtained from them are distinguished by a rich red hue. This means that cherries may belong to the group of so-called morels or griots. Now let’s explain what this means: all varieties of cherries, depending on the shade of the juice, can be divided into several groups - these are morels (griots) or amorels. In Morols, the juice is colored in rich shades (like in the cherry variety we are considering), but in Amorels, the juice can be very light, just like their color. So, when choosing a particular variety, a gardener should also pay attention to similar characteristics, which can play a significant role. You always want to have classic cherry plantings, but there are also those gardeners who move away from the classics and can grow exotic varieties. Moreover, there is no need to worry - even very unusual varieties today can adapt to the reality of Russian garden plots, and the harvest is no worse; many do not even see the differences. The pulp of cherries is very dense, but at the same time it is wonderful - aromatic and incredibly juicy. The stone is small in size and can be separated from the pulp without any problems. Thanks to this, you can process the resulting harvest for subsequent harvests much faster and without difficulty.

The tasting score is 4.7 points on a five-point scale - gardeners describe cherries as incredibly tasty and aromatic. It is also worth saying that the composition of the fruit is quite rich and very beneficial for the human body, for its health, metabolism and immunity - the fruit contains dry substances, sugar and acids, as well as vitamin C, which has an excellent effect on various systems of the human body. The most important thing is that cherries are really very tasty and can be combined with other berries or fruits, especially if the gardener prepares salads or preparations.

If we talk about the characteristics of the cherry variety, then it’s worth saying right away that they reflect a large number of positive aspects that can really attract gardeners - both experienced and those who are just starting to garden and are in search of the most favorable and interesting varieties to grow on your site. Let's start with the fact that this cherry variety is distinguished by the fact that it is incredibly winter-hardy, and therefore, even in climatically unstable conditions, the plantings will feel as comfortable as possible. In fact, it is the parent cultures that will largely determine how strong the resulting culture is. A tree can easily tolerate temperatures dropping to -30 degrees, but if suddenly there are recurrent frosts in the spring, this will not have the best effect on the tree. The thing is that return frosts can harm the buds, which may freeze slightly and may not have time to open, and this leads to not very healthy external characteristics of the tree and to the fact that the overall yield of the variety may decrease.

Drought resistance and heat tolerance are rated as average. But if the variety grows in the middle zone of our country, then, in principle, this level will be sufficient, since the plantings initially feel much more adaptable and comfortable, and the plants, in principle, are sufficiently resistant and capable of withstanding unfavorable conditions. If the tree grows in the southern regions and parts, then the gardener should organize regular watering, otherwise the planting will dry out and, as a result, this will lead to its death. So if a gardener lives in the South, then he is recommended to select more hardy varieties, since the current one will not best tolerate prolonged droughts and dry soil.

One of the features of the variety is that it is a self-fertile cherry variety. This means that in order for a cherry tree to produce large quantities of fruit, the cherry does not require additional pollination. Although some gardeners still plant several other varieties of cherries nearby so that they can organize cross-pollination and so that the harvest is not only more abundant, but also tastier. In cross-pollination, the main role is always played by insects - bees, bumblebees, which carry pollen from one tree to another, from flower to flower. But sometimes it happens that these insects are not present on the site, which means cross-pollination becomes more difficult. But for this variety this does not matter at all, because self-fertility implies that it will cope with flowering and ovaries absolutely independently. The main thing is that the gardener provides support to the plantings, and then everything will certainly be fine. Moreover, self-fertility implies that the cherry will provide the gardener with fruits and a high level of harvest in any year, even if suddenly the weather conditions are not the most favorable, the planting will cope with its functions at the highest level.

So we can say that the Toy cherry is a unique find for both beginners and experienced gardeners who always strive to get a bountiful and tasty harvest. Also, the variety can forgive some mistakes in care and agricultural technology, and this is really of great importance for those who do not have such a wealth of experience in gardening and caring for plants. It is also worth mentioning that sometimes the gardener does not have a lot of space for planting, but even there the cherries adapt remarkably well and take root. True, you will have to plant only one variety of cherry, but given its advantages, the gardener will be able to achieve a very bright and attractive result, so he will be completely satisfied with this purchase.

Methods of controlling diseases and pests

The hybrid is susceptible to diseases such as:

• Clusterosporiasis is a fungal infection manifested by the appearance of growing brown spots on the foliage, after which ulcers form;
• coccomycosis is a fungal disease in which brown-red, gradually enlarging spots appear on the upper side of the leaf, as a result of which the foliage dries and falls off (summer leaf fall);
• moniliosis - affects shoots, foliage and flowers in the form of burns;
• gum bleeding - occurs as a result of damage to the bark of a tree, an excess of fertilizers, a large number of ripened fruits, and sudden changes in temperature.

The methods of control and prevention for the above diseases are the same. They involve removing diseased branches and burning them along with the affected leaves. You can also use a 3% solution of iron sulfate, a 3% solution of copper sulfate, a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture or the drug “Nitrafen” (300 g per bucket of water) against fungi.

In case of gum disease, you need to cut the gum until uninfected wood appears, treat the cut area with a 1% solution of copper sulfate or lubricate it with garden varnish.

Good taste, universal use and ease of care are good reasons for the Igrushka cherry variety to be grown in every summer cottage and delight the owners with a high harvest.

Cherry Toy: flowering, fruiting

The Igrushka cherry blossoms bloom in May, but it can shift to earlier or later dates - everything will depend on the conditions and climate in which this planting grows. But usually the deadlines are shifted either to the first half of the month or to the second; no other changes are provided. If the Toy cherry tree does not bloom for a long time, then the gardener should think about why this is happening, what is wrong with the plant, why it reacts to external conditions in this way, and what needs to be changed in order for the tree to produce flowers. The abundance of fruiting will subsequently depend on the abundance of flowering, so this factor is one of the initial and most significant.

If we talk not about the timing of flowering, but already about the timing of ripening of cherries, then experienced gardeners and breeders themselves boldly classify this variety as a mid-ripening group. If those who call cherries medium-late. Here, again, a lot depends on the climatic conditions of the area in which this variety grows, as well as on whether the gardener himself was able to care for the cherries so that the tree produces a harvest ahead of schedule or on time. Hence the difference in estimates as to whether fruiting begins sooner or later. Sometimes it can be regulated - if you plant the tree in favorable conditions and regularly monitor it, implementing all the rules and subtleties of agricultural technology and care. Ripening usually occurs in the second half of July, and if cherries grow in very hot conditions, then the fruits can be harvested at the very beginning of July. In any case, many factors come together in such a way that fruiting may be a little “floating”.

By the way, I would like to say a few words directly about the fruiting and productivity of this cherry variety. Cherries can be called early-fruiting, since you don’t have to wait long for the harvest. The trees grow to large sizes quite quickly, and fruiting occurs in the fourth or fifth year after the seedling was installed in open ground. At this time, the height of the tree already reaches three meters, then growth slows down, but it is still there, and every year the tree adds several centimeters. In favorable conditions, up to ten kilograms of large and ripe berries can be harvested from a five-year-old cherry tree. According to this indicator, this variety is ahead of many other cherry varieties, which are also very popular today, and gardeners strive to improve them. They have something to compare with in such an abundance of plantings, and there are indicators to focus on. In this regard, cherries really managed to get ahead of many of their brothers, and even their parent crops.

Productivity, application, protection

The average yield of a cherry tree is approximately 45 centners per hectare of land. On an industrial scale and in appropriate plantings, you can collect about one hundred centners per hectare of land. Again, plantings and their saturation depend on the purpose for which the gardener decided to grow this variety on the site. These can be small garden areas that can accommodate from one to two trees, or there can be industrial plantings, when cherries are grown not only for consumption and processing for their own purposes, but also for mass production and sale of fruits in markets and supermarkets. Accordingly, this may change the methods of care, the form in which planting is carried out and, of course, the amount of harvest from one plot, per hectare of land, changes. If we talk about average numbers, the maximum yield of one adult tree varies from ten to twelve kilograms. The average lifespan of one tree can reach up to fifteen years. If the Igrushka cherry was planted in the southern region, then the tree can live longer than twenty years and, accordingly, the fruiting period can also extend noticeably.

I would like to talk about the scope of application of berries. In general, Igrushka cherries are considered very versatile berries; they have a very pleasant, pronounced cherry flavor of the dessert category. They can be consumed fresh immediately after the gardener has picked the fruits from the tree, and you can also prepare drinks, juices and compotes from cherries. In addition, the fruits are great for preparing for the winter; in addition, they can be frozen. They do not lose their taste and external characteristics for a long time, and they can easily withstand transportation over long distances, unless, of course, the gardener creates the most favorable conditions.

Initially, the Toy cherry was bred as a plant that would have high immunity and stress resistance, and would be able to withstand a disease such as coccomycosis - a fungus that develops very actively and, accordingly, can lead not only to the loss of a bountiful and tasty harvest, but also to death the entire planting. If the year is rainy and there is a lot of heavy wet precipitation, this may lead to the tree becoming infected with fungus, but this can be avoided - it is enough to carry out preventive and health measures and treatments to make the trees feel much more comfortable and safe . If we talk about other diseases and dangerous infections, as well as pests, then in principle it is worth saying that this variety has an average level of resistance to them, but still the gardener should not ignore preventive measures and treatments that will help protect the tree itself, future harvest. So you need to be very attentive to such conditions, and the result will not take long to arrive. In addition, experienced gardeners recommend organizing treatments and preventive measures in the spring, when the plant is already waking up after winter and can best accept all drugs or other substances, interventions on the part of gardeners, which can in one way or another affect the plant and its condition.

Pollinators

The cherry-cherry hybrid Toy is self-sterile. This fact is a good reason for planting one, or better yet two, reliable pollinators near her that will bloom at the same time as our heroine. Of course, not everyone will agree to overload the garden with cherry crops. And here’s a pleasant surprise, because not only cherries, but also sweet cherries can be planted as a pollinator. Among the most suitable cherry varieties for pollinating dukas are the following cherry varieties: Shalunya and Samsonovka; and cherry trees: Large-fruited, Valery Chkalov and Franz Joseph. Thanks to this proximity, the fruiting of our heroine will be stable and abundant.