Early Krasnodar

The variety was created at the North Caucasus Regional Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture (Krasnodar) by M.A. Kolesnikov. Origin is unknown. One of the most widely grown early-ripening varieties. Approved for use in the North Caucasus region since 1959.

Medium-sized tree with a compressed oval shape, dense crown, well-leafed. Shoots are straight, covered with a dense gray bloom. Buds are medium-sized, vegetative buds dark brown, oval, generative buds rounded-oval, moderately deviated from the shoot. Leaf is small, broadly egg-shaped, dark green, with a pointed apex and wedge-shaped base, leaf margin doubly toothed, upper surface smooth, lower surface with slight pubescence along the central vein. Petiole short (3 cm), medium thickness, with two large, bean-shaped glands, red in color. Flowers are grouped in clusters of 1-4, medium size, corolla bowl-shaped, petals broadly oval, touching each other, white, stamens of varying lengths, stigma long, stigma positioned at the same level as the anthers or higher. Calyx narrow-bowl-shaped, leaflet margins smooth.

Fruits are medium or slightly smaller in size (average weight 4.0-5.1 g), broadly oval (2.0 x 2.1 x 1.9), apex slightly indented, rounded. Pit medium size, covering color dark red. Flesh medium density, dark red, sweet, good flavor (4.2 points), constitutes 91.3% of fruit weight. Juice red. Fruits have attractive appearance. Stone small, egg-shaped, almost freely detaches from flesh, light beige, rounded apex slightly pointed, rounded base. Pedicel medium length (14.5 cm) and thickness. Détachement from fruit is dry and easy. Fruits contain 17.0% dry matter, 9.0% sugars, 0.6% acids, 9.2 mg/100g ascorbic acid, 118 mg/100g anthocyanins. Main use is dessert; fruits suitable for freezing.

Medium flowering, very early ripening variety, the earliest among approved varieties. Harvest maturity occurs simultaneously between May 15-30. Enters full fruiting stage at 5-6 years of age. Flowering and fruiting concentrated on flower clusters of different ages and on bases of previous year's shoots. Self-sterile. Belongs to the group of most winter-hardy varieties. Flower buds damaged only in the most unfavorable winters, wood shows high resistance. Cold resistance is medium. Drought resistance is sufficient. Resistant to diseases and pests.

Advantages: good winter hardiness, yield, early ripening.

Disadvantages: small fruits, tendency to fruit thinning under heavy fruit load (can be mitigated by pruning).