As with most fruit and plant species, the oldest place where cherries are cultivated is Anatolia. In our country, wild types are abundant in the Northern Anatolian Mountains and Eastern Taurus Mountains. There are around 1500 cherry varieties in the world. This number is increasing day by day with the ongoing breeding studies. However, in terms of regions; the same variety is named with different names and different varieties are named with the same name. Although cherries are grown more or less in every region of our country; we can list our provinces where it is the main source of livelihood as Manisa, Izmir, Afyon, Isparta, Bursa, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Konya, Artvin, Zonguldak, Kastamonu and Amasya. If some points are taken into consideration when establishing a new garden, most problems will not be encountered in the following years. These points to be considered are as follows:
Since cherry is a fruit with a high cooling requirement, it should be established in high places.
It should be established in places that form a frost base.
It should not be established in places with high ground water.
It should not be open to strong winds (especially north winds).
Sloping and sloping places should be preferred. Cities that do not fall below -20 C in winter should be chosen. Abundant precipitation before harvest affects the quality of that year’s crop, and precipitation after harvest affects the quality of next year’s crop. Cherry is a fruit with a high chilling requirement. Chilling is the expression of the total winter rest below 7.2 C in hours. Many factors affect the amount of fertilizer to be used. These factors are; Soil structure
Age of the trees
Irrigation amount and irrigation method
Yield amount of the plants
Type of rootstock
Development status of the trees
Barn manure applications Although fertilization varies a lot with irrigation, pruning and soil properties, the length of 1-year shoots should form an idea as a measure. In non-fruiting trees, shoots between 60-90 cm. indicate a positive development. If the shoots are more than 90 cm, it is due to unnecessary nitrogen application or overwatering. If the shoots are shorter than 60 cm. it is due to water and nitrogen deficiency. Fertilization in trees; It is applied in the form of fall fertilization and band system fertilization. Irrigation in cherries starts with giving Cansuyu during sapling planting. Regardless of whether the planting is done in spring or fall, lifesaving water is given. In our country, water needs are generally met with spring rains until the mole fall period. Irrigation intervention should be made in dry years. Cherry does not like too much water or drought. Irrigation should be planned considering these conditions. In dry years, it should be ensured that the soil is sufficiently moist during flowering. Cherries should not be left without water from the mole period until 4-5 days before harvest. If the soil can be kept slightly moist during this period, excellent size and quality can be achieved.
Adult trees should not be watered around the root collar. When creating an irrigation scheme, sets are made 2-3 meters away from the plant trunk. Water should be given outside of these sets, not inside. Because the root zone where it can take water is in that part. With this irrigation system, root distribution will also be encouraged. In heavy soils, the amount of water should be less and irrigation intervals should be longer. If drip or mini spring irrigation is not used, the irrigation pans should be kept short and it is more appropriate to pass it to the other pan without ponding. Excess water causes chlorosis. Although too much water just before harvesting has a partial effect on fruit size, it has a negative effect on fruit flesh hardness and taste and is also unfavorable for tree health. Water after the harvest will also be beneficial for the development of new flower buds. If rainfall is low in the fall, partial irrigation should be done. Blasting should be done in the driest months of August-September. If the land structure is not very suitable, blasting should be done and drainage channels should be opened 40-50 meters apart.
