Sweet cherry Mzenskaya

This variety was obtained through artificial crossbreeding of Zhukovskaya and Lyubskaya varieties. Originator — All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection. Authors: A.F. Kolesnikova, E.N. Dzhigadlo, G.B. Zhданova, A.V. Zavyalova, T.A. Trofimova. Introduced into the State Register in 2005 for the Central Region.

The tree is low-growing, up to 2 m tall, with a spreading, round-oval, raised crown of medium density. Bark on the trunk and main skeletal branches is brown. Shoots are medium-length, straight, brown. Bud is 3 mm, conical in shape, strongly deviated from the shoot. Leaf is oval, dark green. Leaf apex gradually pointed, base pointed, serration blunt-toothed. Leaf blade surface matte, concave, curved downward. Stipules are located at the base of the leaf and on the petiole. Petiole is 19 mm long, 11.9 mm thick, with anthocyanin coloration along its entire length. Number of flowers in inflorescence is 3. Corolla diameter is 22.3 mm, open. Petals are white, free. Stigma is positioned relatively lower than the anthers. Stigma length is 6.7 mm, anther length is 9.1 mm. Calyx shape is narrow-ribbed, leaflet serrations absent. Fruits set on bouquet branches and last year's growths.

Fruits weigh 3.9–4.0 g, round, height 16.7 mm, width 14 mm, thickness 13 mm. Fruit depression is absent, apex rounded. Fruits are dark red. Flesh is dark red, medium, juicy, juice dark red. Pedicel length is 4.0 cm, medium thickness. Pit is round, weighing 0.26 g, which is 6.6% of fruit weight, creamy. Apex is pointed, base rounded. Flesh separates well from pit.

Fruits have an attractive appearance, rated 4.2 points; flesh is juicy, tart-sweet, acceptable in taste. Taste rating of fresh fruits is 3.8 points. Fruits contain 15.8% soluble solids, 10.7% sugars, 1.9% acids. Detachment from pedicel is good. Fruits are resistant to cracking. Variety is for technical use.

Flowering occurs in mid-season (May 15–20). Fruit ripening is medium (July 20–25), simultaneous. Enters fruiting on the 4th year. Average yield is 48.8 centners per hectare, maximum 79.3 centners per hectare. Self-fertile. Tree longevity is high with proper agronomic practices. Winter hardiness of trees and flower buds is high. Drought-tolerant. Moderately resistant to coccomycosis and moniliosis. Moderately damaged by pests.

Advantages: winter hardiness, high yield, restrained tree growth.

Disadvantages: moderate resistance to coccomycosis.