Sweet cherry Zhukovskaya

The Zhukovskaya cherry variety was obtained by sowing seeds of Michurinsk cherry varieties from open pollination. Originator — All-Russian Research Institute of Genetics and Selection of Fruit Plants named after I.V. Michurin. Authors: S.V. Zhukov and E.N. Kharityonova. The variety was officially approved in 1947 for the Central, Central Chernozem, Middle Volga, and Lower Volga regions.

Medium-stature tree with a rounded, slightly spreading, medium-dense and leafy crown. Shoots are reddish-brown, medium thickness, curved, covered with a few medium-sized, silver-yellow stipules. Buds are medium-sized, pointed, brownish-gray, unpubescent, lagging behind the shoots. Leaves are dark green, above average size, ovate-elliptical in shape with a slight gloss. Leaf base is rounded, apex gradually tapers to a point. Leaf blade is slightly concave and curved downward, positioned on the shoot at an acute angle. Leaf margin is doubly or triply serrated. Petiole is long, medium thickness, without pubescence, purple-red on the sun-exposed side. Stipules are medium-sized, up to four at the base of the leaf blade. Bracts are long, large, and persistent. Flowers are white, about 30 mm in diameter, 5 per inflorescence. Petals are rounded, above average size. Length of stigma and stamens is equal. Calyx is conical, green with a slight tan hue, without pubescence. Fruit set is concentrated on flower clusters, partially on last year's shoots.

Fruits weigh 4.0 g, individual fruits reach 6.0–7.0 g, colored dark red with an attractive appearance. Fruit shape is oval-heart-shaped with a rounded base and oval apex. Flesh is dark red, moderately firm, juicy, slightly tart-sweet, very pleasant taste (5.0 points). Juice is dark-colored. Fruits contain 15.86% dry matter, 9.41% sugars, 1.42% acids, and 19.8% ascorbic acid. Stone separates easily from flesh, medium size (0.29 g ±0.01), oval-egg-shaped (12.0 x 8.3 mm). Stone weight percentage relative to fruit weight is 7.7.

Flowering period is medium, fruit ripening period is medium — second decade of July. Fruits ripen simultaneously on the tree, do not drop. Fruit production begins on the fourth year. Yield is good: 10-year-old trees yield 12 kg of fruit, 20-year-old trees — 30 kg of fruit. The variety is self-sterile. Zhukovskaya lives on average 18–20 years, fruiting well until 15–16 years.

A positive feature of the variety is its high resistance to moniliosis compared to other approved cherry varieties. Zhukovskaya is resistant to the causative agents of ring spot disease. Fruits are suitable for mechanical harvesting.

Advantages: high-quality fruits of universal use, high resistance to moniliosis compared to Vladimirskaya and Lyubskaya, resistance to ring spot disease pathogens.

Disadvantages: medium winter hardiness of flower buds, large stone.