Mirage

The 'Mirage' cherry variety was developed at the Institute of Horticulture of UAAN by crossing 'Valeriy Chkalov' and 'Droghana Yellow'. The tree of this variety is large and fast-growing with a medium-dense spherical crown. It bears fruit on flower clusters and one-year-old shoots, starting from the 4th to 5th year after planting. At 12 years old, yield reaches 56–70 kg per tree, significantly higher than some control varieties.

The 'Mirage' fruits are large, weighing about 9.2 grams, with a flat-oval shape, rounded apex, and indentation at the base. The skin is thin, dense, dark red, shiny, and easily separates from the flesh. The flesh is dark red, juicy, and slightly fibrous, with dark red juice. The taste is sour-sweet, with a tasting score of about 4.8 points, making them suitable for various purposes.

Fruits ripen from mid-June to late June (approximately June 16–22). The variety is distinguished by good winter hardiness, drought resistance, and high transportability, allowing it to maintain fruit quality during transportation. Due to these characteristics, 'Mirage' is an attractive choice for gardeners aiming to obtain a stable and abundant harvest of delicious cherries.