Early Duky is a hybrid of cherry and peach, developed by breeders of the Donetsk Experimental Fruit Station, as a result of crossing the varieties 'Griot Ostegaimsky' and 'Valeriy Chkalov'. This variety is characterized by high winter hardiness, disease resistance, and stable, high yield. Trees are medium to tall, with wide, pyramidal or oval crowns, reaching a height of about 3.5 meters. Branches are thick and gray-brown, and leaves resemble those of peaches. Early Duky prefers sunny, fertile, and well-drained soils, which promote good growth and fruiting. Fruits are large, heart-shaped or flat-round, weighing 5 to 10 grams. The skin is dense, dark red, and shiny; the flesh is dark red, juicy, sweet, with a pleasant wine-sweet flavor and a distinct cherry-cherry aroma. The stone is small and separates easily from the flesh, making the fruits convenient for eating. The juice is dark red. The taste evaluation reaches 8 points on a 10-point scale, confirming the high quality of the fruit. Harvesting maturity occurs in the first or second decade of June, making it one of the earliest varieties among cherries and peaches. Trees begin fruiting 3-5 years after planting, primarily on cluster branches. Fruits are suitable for fresh dessert consumption as well as various types of preservation. Due to its characteristics and resistance, the Early Duky variety is successfully grown both in private gardens and on an industrial scale.
