Sweet Cherry (prunus avium) KRUPNOPLODNAJA

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) 'Krupnoplodnaja'

A top-tier Ukrainian firm-fleshed cherry featuring massive fruits, extreme frost resistance, and huge yields.

The 'Krupnoplodnaja' (meaning Large-Fruited) variety is one of the main commercial cherries in Ukraine and a dream come true for any grower. It is a typical "crunchy" sweet cherry—its fruits are firm, crisp, and visually stunning. Thanks to its high frost resistance and excellent health, it is an extremely reliable variety that, once established, will reward you with literally tens of kilograms of premium fruit.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Massive fruits: Regularly reaching 10–14 g, with some individual cherries weighing up to 18 g!
• Firm and crunchy: Firm, juicy, and crisp flesh with excellent transportability.
• High frost resistance: The tree easily withstands winter freezes down to -28 °C (-18 °F).
• Abundant harvests: Early onset of bearing and stable, very high yields.
• Good resistance to diseases (especially brown rot / monilinia).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Ukraine (Melitopol Research Institute of Irrigated Horticulture). Breeders: M. T. Oratovskij and I. N. Turovcev.
• Crossing and Registration: Created by crossing 'Napoleon Belaja' with a pollen mix of 'Valerij Čkalov' and 'Elton'. Entered into the state register in 1983.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor and Habit: Medium to strong, fast-growing. Reaches a maximum height of 3 to 4 meters, forming a neat, moderately dense spherical crown.
• Yield Onset: Begins bearing fruit very early, usually in the 3rd or 4th year after planting.
• Pollination: The variety is partially self-fertile. However, to achieve maximum yields, the presence of a pollinator is highly recommended.

Fruit

• Size and Shape: Very large, wide-round fruits with an average weight of 10–14 g (up to 18 g).
• Color and Skin: The skin is thin but very firm, boasting an attractive dark red color.
• Flesh: Dark red, firm, crunchy, and juicy. The pit is large but separates very easily from the flesh (freestone).
• Taste and Use: Excellent sweet-sour to sweet dessert flavor. Universal use—perfect for fresh consumption as well as for making premium home compotes.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost: Features very high frost resistance, reliably withstanding winter temperatures down to -28 °C (-18 °F).
• Diseases: Generally in excellent health. It is resistant to brown rot (monilinia) and only slightly susceptible to cherry leaf spot.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Choosing a Pollinator: Although partially self-fertile, planting a suitable pollinator nearby will maximize your crop. It pairs perfectly with varieties such as 'Talisman', 'Melitopolskaja čornaja', 'Sjurpriz', or 'Francis'.

Harvest, Yield, and Transport

• Harvest Time: Mid-early variety. Ripens around mid-June (depending on the location).
• Yield: Exceptionally high and regular. A mature, well-established tree can produce 60 to 70 kg of fruit.
• Transportability: Thanks to its firm, "crunchy" flesh and strong skin, the fruits handle manipulation and long-distance shipping perfectly without bruising.