Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) TJUTČEVKA

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) Tjutčevka

A popular Russian variety with large fruits of excellent taste.

'Tyutchevka' is a popular Russian cherry variety, prized for its high productivity, high frost hardiness, and fruits of excellent dessert quality. The tree has medium-strong growth with a spherical crown. The fruits are large, dark red, with firm, juicy, and very sweet flesh. The variety is cross-pollinated and has good disease resistance, although the fruits may crack in rainy weather.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High productivity: Delivers an abundant and stable harvest.
• Large, firm, and transportable fruits: Ideal for market sales and processing.
• Excellent dessert flavor: The flesh is sweet, juicy, and aromatic.
• High frost hardiness: Reliable even in colder conditions.
• Good disease resistance.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Russia
• Institution: VNI Lupina
• Breeder: M.V. Kanshina
• Cross: ‘Krasnaya Plotnaya’ × 3-36
• Year of registration: In the state register since 2001.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

Growth is medium-strong, reaching a maximum height of 4 meters. It grows quickly in the first few years, then the growth slows down. The crown is spherical, semi-spreading, and of medium density. It comes into bearing in the 4th–5th year after planting. It is cross-pollinated and needs another cherry variety nearby to ensure a harvest (e.g., ‘Iput’, ‘Revna’, ‘Ovstuzhenka’).

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large, with an average weight of 5–7.4 grams.
• Shape: Broadly round.
• Color: Dark red, with darker dots.
• Flesh: Red, firm, juicy, meaty, with a slight crispness. The stone separates from the flesh.
• Taste: Excellent, dessert quality, sweet, with a pleasant aftertaste and aroma.
• Chemical composition: Dry matter 18.4%, sugars 11.1%, acids 0.41%, Vitamin C 13.6 mg/100 g.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: High, withstands frosts down to -33 °C. The frost hardiness of both the wood and flower buds is good.
• Disease resistance: Good. Resistance to moniliosis is high; medium resistance to coccomycosis and clasterosporium.
• Cracking: In very rainy weather, the fruits may partially crack.

Growing Recommendations

• Use: Universal – for fresh consumption, for processing (compotes, jams, juices), and for freezing.
• Pollination: As it is cross-pollinated, it requires the presence of another cherry tree as a pollinator.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-late, ripening from late July to early August. The fruits separate easily from the stalk.
• Storability and transportability: Good; can be stored in a cool place for up to 3 weeks.