The traditional division of sweet cherries is related to the date of their fruiting.We have early, medium and late cherries, all of them are assigned a specific fruiting week (usually 8 are described).The fruits of modern breeding varieties appear in May (the so-called picnics), the last ones ripen at the end of July. The weather has a great influence on the fruiting time. In some years, the maturation of some varieties, theoretically bearing fruit at different times, may overlap.
It is worth noting that it is largely influenced by the type of pad, the quality of the substrate or sunlight. Fruits of the 'Burlat' variety can be harvested very early, as early as in the second week of cherry ripening, that is more or less from the beginning to mid-June. This early fruiting has both advantages and disadvantages. First of all, fruits are a tasty morsel for starlings, blackbirds and grosbeaks, which means that we have to fight birds for the first cherries.On the other hand, the early harvesting period ensures that the cherries are not wormy (as they mature before the egg laying of the honeyflower).
The mid-ripening period between 4 and 5 weeks belongs to such varieties as 'Vega' and 'Techlovan', while at the end of the season (in the 7th and 8th weeks) the 'Regina' and 'Kordia' varieties ripen. It is also worth paying attention to the variation of 'Lapins'. It is one of the few self-pollinating (self-fertile) cherries, which means that a pollinator does not have to grow in its vicinity. Keep this in mind when buying one of the varieties for home growing.It is also always worth asking the seller about the type of rootstock used (whether it is strong or weak growing).
An important criterion for selecting sweet cherries is their susceptibility to cracking. Before the fruit is ripe, the sugar content (which, however, absorbs water) increases significantly.So, if it rains frequently, the fruit absorbs water until at some point, under the influence of strong pressure from inside, they burst. Then they rot quickly and are not suitable for processing. Table varieties characterized by large, firm fruits are particularly prone to cracking.
Cherries that are not prone to cracking include e.g. varieties: 'Vanda' (ripens from the middle of the fourth to the middle of the fifth week), 'Sam' (ripens from the middle of the fifth to the end of the sixth week), 'Rainier' (ripens from the sixth to the middle of the seventh week), 'Regina' (ripens from the middle of the fifth week to the end of the sixth week). from the seventh to the end of the eighth week).
Good to know
Small-meshed mesh protects trees against some pests. We put it on when the fruit is already large, but it has not yet started to turn yellow. When the fruit turns red, the net can be removed. Unless we want it to protect the cherry from starlings.
Varieties for small and large gardens
- 'Garden Bing' is perfect for small gardens, it grows slowly, reaching about 2 m in height. It bears fruit in June.
- 'Kordia' is a dessert variety with heart-shaped carmine-red fruits, ripening in the 7-8th week of cherry ripening. He has a wide crown.
- 'Burlat' grows quite strongly and forms a dense crown. Early variety, shows quite high frost resistance.
- 'Lapins' is characterized by moderately strong growth. It produces very juicy fruit.
- 'Bianca' creates dark red heart-shaped fruits with hard flesh. It ripens in early August.
