Sweet cherry 'Talisman'

Obtained from: «Drogana Zheltaya» and «Valeriy Chkalov», breeders N. I. Turovtsev, M. T. Oratovskyi.

Sweet cherry «Talisman» (Prunus avium) – one of the best commercial mid-season cultivars of Ukrainian breeding. Bred at the M.F. Sydorenko Institute of Irrigated Horticulture of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences (UAAN) in 1956 by crossing «Drogana Zheltaya» and «Valeriy Chkalov», breeders N. I. Turovtsev, M. T. Oratovskyi.

It is a large, fast-growing tree forming a dense, spherical crown. Begins to bear fruit in the 4th year and fruits on bouquet twigs and one-year shoots. Quickly builds commercial yields. Partially self-fertile.

Fruits are large, weighing 8–10 g, uniform in size, flat-heart-shaped. The peduncle is medium-sized, thick, easily separates from the twigs, with a dry detachment. Skin thin, firm, shiny, dark red, separates well from the flesh. Flesh dark red, juicy, melting, semi-crunchy, excellent sweet-and-sour taste (taste score 4.9 points). Juice red. Fruits ripen in the second half of July. Fruits contain: 15.5% sugars, 5.52% acids, 23.6% dry matter (suitable for drying). At 7 years gives up to 71 kg per tree.

Best pollinators: Valeriy Chkalov, Skorospelka, Iyunskaya Rannaya, Aprelka, Bigarro Burlat

Hardiness zone: -26°C. High winter hardiness of generative buds, as well as high resistance of flowers to spring frosts (-8°C).

Site: prefers sunny and sheltered sites. Does not like acidic soils or places with shallow groundwater (not closer than 1.5 m). Performs best on elevated sites, near fences or buildings where a lot of snow accumulates in winter.

Planting: planting is recommended in spring. Before planting it is necessary to improve the soil. The planting area should be dug to a spade's depth and fertilizers applied: manure or compost at 8–10 kg/m², superphosphate 150–200 g, potassium fertilizers – 100 g, or complex fertilizers – 150–200 g/m². Recommended soil reaction pH 6.5–7. It is also recommended to add fertilizers to the planting hole – 10 kg of humus, non-acid peat or well-rotted compost, and 500 g of ash. The hole should be dug and prepared 2 weeks before planting.

Pruning: from 2–3 years old pruning is necessary – remove suckers, lower branches to form the trunk, shorten the leader by redirecting to a lateral branch, and thin the crown. Pruning is done in early spring before bud swell.

Care: care consists of regular pruning. In spring and autumn it is necessary to whitewash the trunks and bases of scaffold branches. In autumn it is recommended to cover trunks with spruce boughs or other material to protect against rodents. It is also necessary to protect ripe fruits from birds – special nets are used to cover the trees.

Diseases and pests: high resistance to fungal diseases of stone fruits.

Use: high yield, comprehensive resistance to fungal diseases of stone fruits, high commercial and taste qualities, resistance of flowers to spring frosts and buds to cold. Fruits have good transportability. The cultivar is recommended for commercial cultivation.