Sweet cherry Orlica

This variety was obtained by selection from seedlings of open-pollinated 'Zhukovskaya'. Originator: All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection. Authors: A.F. Kolesnikova, E.N. Dzhigadlo, G.B. Zhdanova, A.V. Zavyalova, T.A. Trofimova. Introduced into the State Register in 2001 for the Central Chernozem region.

Medium-growing tree, up to 3 m tall, with a spreading, raised, medium-dense, densely leafed crown. Branches are medium, straight, brown. Bark on the trunk and main branches is smooth and brown. Bud is 4 mm, conical, strongly deviated from the branch. Leaf is reverse-egg-shaped, dark green. Apex strongly pointed, base broadly wedge-shaped, serrated edge doubly rounded. Leaf blade surface shiny, flat. Stipules 2-4, located at the base of the leaf and on the petiole. Petiole 31.0 mm long, 2.8 mm thick, with anthocyanin coloration. Number of flowers in inflorescence: 3. Corolla diameter 23.8 mm, open. Petals white, freely arranged. Stigma is positioned relatively higher than stamens. Pistil length 11.7 mm, stamen length 10.2 mm. Calyx shape narrow-bowl-shaped, leaflets without serration. Fruits set on flower clusters and last year's one-year shoots.

Fruits weigh 3.5-4.0 g, heart-shaped, height 18.0 mm, width 16.0 mm, thickness 15.0 mm. Fruit depression is small, apex slightly elongated. Fruits are dark red. Flesh is dark red, medium density, juice dark red. Pedicel length 31.0 mm, medium thickness. Stone is egg-shaped, mass 0.28 g, which constitutes 8.0% of fruit mass, yellow. Apex pointed, base rounded. Stone separates easily from flesh.

Fruits have attractive appearance (4.2 points), flesh juicy, tart-sweet, acceptable taste (3.8 points). Fruits contain dry matter — 15.9%, sugars — 10.6%, acids — 1.88%. Average detachment from pedicel. 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. Begins fruiting in the 4th year. Partially self-fertile. Average yield 109.9 centners/ha, maximum 284.4 centners/ha. Tree longevity is high with proper agronomic practices. Good winter hardiness of the tree and flower buds. Moderately resistant to coccomycosis and moniliosis.

The variety has high productivity and is registered in the Central Chernozem region; suitable for commercial, amateur cultivation, farmsteads, and breeding purposes. Suitable for intensive cultivation.

Advantages: winter hardiness, high yield.

Disadvantages: susceptibility to coccomycosis.