Description of the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry variety: photos, reviews

Professional gardeners and vegetable growers understand that high-quality, sweet cherry varieties can be very demanding in terms of care, which is why they strive to provide them with the best possible care. This cherry variety is considered a "luxury" variety, as the berries ripen to a large, dark cherry color and a sweet taste. It's important to know everything about the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry; its description (photos and reviews) plays a significant role in its cultivation, so we recommend reading the information below.

How this variety appeared

Shokoladnitsa is perhaps the best cherry variety to be developed by breeders in 1996. Back then, gardeners were crossing various tree varieties, such as Shirpotreb and Lyubskaya, to produce an improved cherry variety, which they named "Shokoladnitsa." As its name suggests, the berries are very dark in color, much darker than regular cherries. The tree itself grows no more than two meters tall, and its branches don't droop under the weight of the fruit, as its crown is quite sparse, which helps relieve the branches of stress. This cherry variety is considered a bush cherry by gardeners, as it has a short stem. During flowering, the branches bear umbel-shaped flowers, clustered in groups of three, with the first blooms beginning no later than early May.

According to gardeners, the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry (variety description with photos) produces abundant fruit. The berries can be large or medium in size, more closely resembling cherries in color, and have a stunning sweet flavor with a hint of tartness. These berries are quite firm, but once ripe, they are very easy to separate from the pit, and the fruiting period begins after July 15th. If the tree has just been planted, gardeners will have to wait no more than four years to see the first fruits on their tree. The berries themselves grow not on new shoots, but on those that grew and strengthened last year. The tree has a short lifespan, bearing fruit for only about 10-16 years. If the growth period is included, the lifespan of the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry, according to the variety description (with photos and reviews), is only fifteen to twenty years.

Why do gardeners choose this plant variety?

The "Shokoladnitsa" cherry (variety description with photos) is extremely popular among gardeners, and not only because of its unrivaled taste and excellent fruit production. This variety requires virtually no maintenance; it's self-fertile, meaning you won't need to pollinate it yourself. It also doesn't require frequent watering, as the tree thrives without water even in dry summers. Even severe frosts don't damage the tree's buds; thanks to the tree's high frost resistance, no weather conditions can affect the abundant harvest of sweet cherries. However, this variety does have a slight drawback: it's highly susceptible to fungal diseases, which often attack the tree's branches.

How to Plant a Tree: Proper Cherry Tree Care

First, you'll need to choose the right location for planting the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry tree. The variety description (photo) and reviews indicate that this tree will thrive in any location, but it's still worth creating more ideal conditions for this plant to avoid problems. cherry diseasesIt's recommended to plant this cherry tree in a location with ample sunlight and a south-facing aspect. If the cherry tree is constantly overgrown by other trees, this will negatively impact the yield, and the tree will produce significantly fewer fruits than expected. Choosing the right soil for this plant is crucial, as this cherry variety doesn't like overly acidic soil; it should be neutral or very slightly acidic. If there are low-lying areas where groundwater flows, it's best to plant the tree away from these areas, as excess water will cause root rot, potentially killing the tree completely.

How to care for the "Chocolate Girl" cherry tree

If a gardener wants to get an excellent and abundant harvest from this variety, they will have to work hard, as the tree still requires constant care. Only consistent care can double or even triple the yield.

First, it's worth mentioning tree pruning. According to reviews, the "Shokoladnitsa" cherry tree (variety description with photos) will produce significantly better fruit if the gardener regularly trims unwanted branches. Branches are pruned starting in the second year of life, and this should be done once a year during the spring. If pruning is not done in a timely manner, the tree's crown will begin to grow rapidly and become dense, leading to unwanted vegetation and a significant reduction in the tree's yield. Tree pruning should only be done in early spring, before the buds have even begun to swell. Only then will the plant be able to regain its strength after the procedure, and later, develop leaves and bloom.

If the tree was a sapling, no more than twelve branches should remain after pruning. The remaining shoots should be removed so that no extra stubs remain on the trunk. Once the branches are removed, the cut areas are treated with special homemade varnishes. If the gardener wants a smooth and beautiful crown, they will need to carefully monitor the pruning process to ensure the branches are evenly distributed throughout the tree. As the tree matures, it will be necessary to remove only diseased and dead branches, as well as those that have begun to grow inward, rather than new shoots.

Watering the plant

Every plant, even the most undemanding, requires timely watering. This type of cherry tree requires special attention during the early flowering period. The gardener will also need to water the tree frequently if it's just beginning to grow. During the early ripening period and at the very end of the season, the tree also requires constant watering, especially in very hot weather. A special hole, also known as a root circle, is dug around the tree. At least five buckets of water are poured into this hole, allowing about half a meter of dry soil to be saturated.

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Fertilizing the "Chocolate Girl" variety

If the tree is a young sapling, less than three years old, there's no need to fertilize it. However, in its fourth year, the cherry tree will require periodic supplementation with nutrients and minerals. Fertilizer should be applied to the soil no more than once every three years. If the tree is seven years old, mineral solutions are used as fertilizer; this type of supplementation is necessary every year after the tree reaches seven years of age.

How to prevent diseases

As mentioned earlier in this article, this cherry variety is often susceptible to fungal diseases that attack the plant's branches and ruin the harvest. It's important to take preventative measures to prevent fungal growth and regularly inspect the tree to detect any signs of disease early. If fungus is detected on leaves or twigs, the affected area should be removed and then treated with a special solution that kills the fungus.

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This cherry variety tolerates a variety of adverse climatic conditions well and requires virtually no special care, which is why it has become so popular among gardeners. It's especially worth noting that this cherry variety is grown even in arid regions of the country, and gardeners rave about the "Shokoladnitsa" variety. This plant makes a wonderful addition to any garden; while it's not very tall, its yield is extremely high. Gardeners recommend this sweet cherry variety for their gardens.