Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) STUDENCHESKAYA

Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) 'Studencheskaya'

A high-yielding Russian variety with high frost resistance of its flower buds.

'Studencheskaya' (Студенческая) is a proven Russian sour cherry variety, distinguished primarily by its high yield and excellent frost resistance not only of the wood but also of the flower buds, making it a reliable choice even for colder regions. The fruits are medium-sized, dark in colour, and have a very good, sweet flavour with a pleasant acidity. Thanks to its good transportability and fruit quality, it is suitable for versatile use.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High yield (15–16 kg per tree) and very good fruit quality.
• High frost resistance, especially of the flower buds.
• Good transportability of fruits.
• The stone separates easily from the flesh.
• Early entry into bearing.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Breeders: A. F. Kolesnikova, G. B. Zhdanova
• Institution: All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK)
• Crossing: ‘Zhukovskaya’ × ‘Shirpotreb chernaya’
• Registration: Accepted for state trials in 1977.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous, grows to a height of 2.5 – 3 m.
• Crown: Inversely pyramidal, slightly upright.
• Fruiting habit: Bears fruit mainly on bouquet spurs and on last year's shoots.
• Pollination: It is cross-pollinated (self-fertility is low).

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium-sized, with a weight of 4 – 5 g.
• Shape and colour: Round, dark burgundy to almost black.
• Flesh: Dark burgundy, juicy.
• Flavour: Very good, sweet with a pleasant acidity.
• Stone: Small, round, easily separable from the flesh.
• Use: Versatile (fresh consumption, processing).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High (including flower buds).
• Disease resistance: Medium. It is relatively resistant to shot hole disease.
• Requirements: Requires well-drained soil; does not tolerate a high water table.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure a harvest, it is essential to plant a suitable pollinator nearby, for example, the 'Zhukovskaya' or 'Turgenevka' varieties.
• It is important to avoid waterlogged sites with a high water table.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early (mid-July).
• Harvest characteristics: Dry scar.
• Yield: High, 15–16 kg per tree.
• Entry into bearing: 3rd year after planting.
• Transportability: High.