Ruby Kuban

Variety from the North Caucasus Regional Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture (Krasnodar), obtained by pollinating early 'Cassini' cherry with a pollen mixture of cherry varieties. The variety was accepted for state testing in 2001 in the North Caucasus region. Authors: M.A. Kolesnikov, I.M. Kirichek, E.M. Alekina.

Tree of medium size in fruiting age, with sufficient growth vigor comparable to vigorous varieties in nurseries. The crown of young trees is rounded, then broadly rounded, drooping, and dense. Shoots have a slight silvery covering. Buds are medium-sized, vegetative conical, generative oval, slightly deviated from the shoot (30°). Leaves are oval, dark green, without anthocyanin, medium-sized (16 x 7), apex strongly pointed, base rounded, leaf margin doubly serrated, upper surface smooth and matte, lower surface slightly pubescent. Petiole 3-4 cm in medium thickness, with anthocyanin coloration along its entire length. Stipules are arranged 2 per petiole, medium-sized, well-colored. Autumn leaf color is yellow with anthocyanin. Flowers are grouped in clusters of 3-4, medium-sized, with a dish-shaped corolla, petals overlapping, broadly ovate, white. Stamens are medium and short, pistil medium length, positioned both above and below the anthers. Many stamens (46). Calyx is bell-shaped, sepals colored, without serrations. Fruit set is concentrated mainly on abundant cluster branches (88%) and at the base of one-year shoots.

Fruits are above-average size (average fruit weight 6.5 g, maximum 7.5 g), broadly rounded (2.2 x 2.6 x 2.1), shallow depression, rounded apex. Skin color is dark red, turning dark ruby at full maturity, flesh strongly colored, medium density, juicy, juice dark red. Stone is rounded, medium-sized, beige, apex and base rounded. Pedicel is long (4.7 cm), medium thickness, easily detaches from fruit with dry separation. Fruits are attractive, glossy, harmonious in taste (taste rating 4.5 points), resistant to cracking. Contains 16.8% dry matter, 12% sugars, 0.5% acids, 11.4 mg/100g ascorbic acid. Fruits are of universal use, suitable for fresh consumption and technical processing.

Tree enters fruiting stage at age 5, flowers early, fruits ripen simultaneously in mid-season (June 14-15). Exhibits partial self-fertility. One of the most productive varieties, during full fruiting, in favorable years yields up to 70-90 kg/tree (over 15 t/ha), average yield 9.0-10.0 t/ha (planting scheme 8 x 6).

Winter hardiness is high, spring frost resistance is moderate. Moderately resistant to fungal diseases, during epidemic years, infection by moniliosis and coccomycosis reaches up to 2 points.

Advantages: high resistance to extreme temperatures, high productivity, fruit quality.

Disadvantages: insufficient resistance to spring frosts and fungal diseases.