When does cherry ripen and when does it begin to bear fruit after planting?

Cherries are one of the most popular fruit crops. They are quite demanding when it comes to growing conditions, but with proper care, they produce a bountiful harvest. The ripening time of the berries depends not only on the region's climate but also on the varietal characteristics.

In what year after planting does a cherry tree begin to bear fruit?

Sweet cherry is a tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is also known as the bird cherry. This fruit is grown primarily in the south of Russia. However, breeders have developed many cold-hardy varieties, making it popular among gardeners in northern regions as well.

Trees grow from 3.5 to 10 meters tall. Some varieties can grow even taller. This fruit tree is considered long-lived. With proper care, a tree can live up to 80 years. Cherry fruits are quite large and sweet. Their color can be yellow, red, burgundy, or orange, depending on the variety.

A characteristic feature of all cherry trees is their late fruiting. After planting a sapling in its permanent location, it begins bearing fruit on average in the 4th to 5th year. However, some varieties produce fruit as early as the 3rd or 4th year. Some species bear fruit only after 7-8 years.

When the cherry tree blossoms and ripens

Under favorable conditions, cherries produce a harvest every year after they begin bearing fruit. Flower buds open in the spring (April-May), and the ripening period varies greatly depending on the variety. This is worth considering when planning your seedling purchase. Harvesting can occur in June, July, August, and even September.

Early varieties

All cherry varieties are usually divided into groups based on ripening time. Early varieties are in high demand among gardeners seeking a harvest in late spring or, more typically, early summer. These cherries bloom in the spring, in mid- to late April. The fruits ripen in late May or early to mid-June.

Almost all early varieties are characterized by abundant fruit production and good fruit quality. The berries grow large and sweet. The main disadvantages of early-ripening cherries are self-sterility and low frost resistance. The trees bloom early. If the outside temperature drops to 0°C, the flowers fall off, leading to a complete loss of the harvest.

There are many varieties and hybrids that are known for their early fruiting. Some of them have already gained popularity among gardeners:

• Priusadebnaya. This cherry tree is very productive. A single tree can easily yield up to 80-90 kg of fruit. Priusadebnaya has a spreading, cone-shaped crown. The berries are yellow-red, very large, and sweet. The cherry tree begins to bear fruit 5-6 years after planting.
• Valery ChkalovThis variety is characterized by a medium yield. A single mature tree can produce up to 40 kg of large, sweet fruits. The crown of this cherry tree is spreading, but not very dense. The berries are bright red, almost burgundy.
• IputThis variety is characterized by a moderate yield. A tree can yield up to 50 kg of fruit. The berries are not very large, but they are sweet and juicy. These cherries are burgundy in color. The main drawback is the late onset of fruiting. Some trees begin to bloom and bear fruit only 7-8 years after being planted in their permanent location.
• Aprelka. This variety was developed in the late 19th century. It is considered an extremely early variety, with the fruits ripening as early as late May. Aprelka is prized by gardeners. This cherry is grown in the south and central regions. The berries are small, with dark skin. Aprelka begins to bear fruit 5-6 years after being planted in its permanent location.
• Annushka. This variety is distinguished by its early fruiting. Annushka is frost-resistant. The harvest can be collected as early as 3-4 years after planting. The fruits are very sweet, red, and juicy. The berries ripen in June.

Mid-season varieties

Cherry varieties that bear fruit later in life are suitable for long-term storage and canning. These are called mid-season varieties. Berries on these trees ripen from mid-June to early July. Mid-season varieties are less tolerant of recurrent frosts, although the risk of crop damage is lower. These trees bloom 1-2 weeks later than early-season varieties. Berries from mid-season varieties are characterized by higher marketability. Currently, breeders have developed a large number of such varieties:

• Gastinets. This variety is partially self-fertile, so it can produce a small harvest even without pollinators. The berries are reddish-orange, have a rich flavor, and the skin is orange. The trees begin bearing fruit 5-6 years after planting, and the berries ripen in July.
• Bull's Heart. This variety is grown primarily in the southern regions of Russia. Bull's Heart is considered the epitome of taste. It produces large, heart-shaped cherries of a deep burgundy, almost black color. They ripen in late June. The tree begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting.
• Drogana Yellow. This variety was developed by German breeders and named after one of them. It is distinguished by its frost resistance and resistance to fungal diseases. The trees grow very tall and spreading. They begin to bear fruit after 5-6 years. The cherries of this variety are yellow and large. However, the berries have a drawback: they do not store well and do not transport well.
• Adelina. This variety has been cultivated relatively recently. Its main advantages are excellent fruit flavor and resistance to fungal diseases. The red berries grow large and ripen in late July. Adelina begins to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting. Initially, the yield is very low, but it gradually increases. After 10 years, it reaches above-average yield.
• General'skaya. This variety was developed by Ukrainian breeders. It got its name from its very large berries. The fruit is yellow-orange in color, with a reddish tint to the skin. The flavor is sweet and sour. The berries store well and are suitable for transportation. Trees of this variety are tall and spreading. They begin to bear fruit 4-5 years after planting. The fruits ripen in July.

You may be interested in:

The best cherry varieties for growing in the Moscow region
This advance of an absolutely heat-loving culture to the north, previously considered completely impossible,…Read more…

Late-ripening varieties

Some cherry varieties bloom in mid-May and ripen from mid-July to September. These are called late-ripening. Thanks to these varieties, gardeners can extend the cherry season. You can enjoy the delicious and aromatic berries after all the early and mid-season varieties have already ripened. Picking the berries in late summer or even early fall allows for later harvesting, transportation, and storage. Late-ripening cherries are larger and have a richer color.

• Tyutchevka. This variety was developed by breeders from Bryansk. It is considered one of the best for growing in central Russia. Tyutchevka tolerates winter cold well and is disease-resistant. The red berries grow large and ripen in mid-August. The fruits are firm and easy to transport.
• In Memory of Astakhov. This variety is highly frost-resistant and can be grown in northern Russia. Trees begin bearing fruit 6-7 years after planting. The berries ripen in mid-August. They grow large, juicy, and sweet. However, the variety's yield is below average.
• Bryanskaya Pink. This variety was bred in Bryansk, hence its name. The berries of this cherry are yellow but have pink skin. The trees begin to bear fruit five years after planting. They don't grow very tall, but they produce a good harvest. The fruits ripen in early August.
• Regina. German breeders have developed a very successful variety that is fully suitable for commercial cultivation. Regina cherries are red, with reddish-orange flesh. They are very firm, tasty, and transport well. The variety is considered early ripening. Trees begin bearing fruit as early as three years after planting.

Ripening time and climatic conditions

The flowering and ripening times of berries can vary depending on weather conditions and climate. In northern regions, trees bloom on average in early May, while in southern regions, they bloom in mid-April. Cherries in the Krasnodar Krai ripen approximately 1-2 weeks earlier than in central Russia.

Flowers bloom at temperatures of +10°C. If the winter is prolonged and cold outside, flower buds will open later. This does not affect the yield. Flowers can only be damaged by recurrent frosts.

Why doesn't the cherry tree bear fruit?

Gardeners often encounter situations where cherry trees fail to bloom, or bloom but fail to produce fruit. In such cases, a harvest is never achieved. To prevent this from happening again next year, it's important to understand the cause. Otherwise, the tree will never bear fruit. The lack of blooms and fruit set can be caused by a number of factors:

• the tree is too young;
• old cherry;
• the tree is affected by pests or fungal infections;
• the landing site is unsuitable;
• incorrect landing;
• unsuitable climatic conditions;
• illiterate care;
• the soil is too acidic.

https://youtu.be/z1nCwAHpj6E

Cherries are heat-loving garden crops, so one often encounters a lack of blossoms in northern regions. In the Urals and Siberia, you can also grow an excellent harvest. However, to achieve this, you need to select your varieties more carefully. Tyutchevka and Iput grow well in northern regions. Jealousy, Veda, Bryanochka. It's important to remember that cherry tree fruiting times vary for each variety. When purchasing seedlings, it's important to learn about the varietal characteristics. Some varieties may take up to seven years to bear fruit.

Incorrect planting location and failure to follow proper tree planting techniques can disrupt flower bud formation. Cherries grow well only in open, unshaded areas. The soil must be loose and fertile. To ensure a good harvest, groundwater must be kept away from the tree. If a sapling is planted in the shade of a house, with other fruit trees blocking its view, it may not produce fruit. In this case, transplanting is necessary as soon as possible. However, this can be difficult with trees older than five years. Mature saplings have a poor survival rate.

Improper planting or improper care can cause disruption of flower bud formation. When planting a seedling in soil, allow the roots to spread freely in the hole to prevent them from bending. The soil should be free of clay and rock. The root collar should be positioned above ground level, avoiding compacting the tree. If the soil is too acidic, the cherry tree may not bloom for a long time. This can be resolved by deacidifying the soil. This involves adding ash or slaked lime to the area around the trunk, then digging the soil. It's best to deacidify the soil before planting the tree in its permanent location. pH can be monitored using special test strips.

Flower buds may fail to set if not properly cared for. Excessive nitrogen fertilization and excessive and frequent watering can lead to the tree's excessive growth of foliage. In this case, the crown grows lush and spreading, but there is no flowering. If the cherry tree bloomed well but fruit never set, the following may be the cause:

• recurrent frosts;
• boron deficiency;
• lack of pollinating insects;
• lack of trees suitable for cross-pollination.

Return frosts can destroy almost all crops. In regions where this phenomenon is common, it's best to plant mid-season or late-season varieties that begin blooming later.

Pests and fungal diseases can also cause blossom drop. Cherry trees are susceptible to aphids, leaf rollers, and codling moths. Signs of damage are always visible. Insecticides (Fufanon, Inta-Vir) are used to control pests. Spray trees with diluted products strictly according to the instructions. Treatment should not be carried out during the flowering period. The last spraying should be done at least two weeks before harvest.

Without pollination, flowers bloom, but very few fruits are set. Most of them wilt or fall off. Spraying with a 1% boron solution will help improve fruit set. This procedure should be carried out in dry, windless weather, when the flowers have opened. A second treatment can be carried out after 10 days.

Do cherries need a mate?

If your cherry tree is blooming but producing little or no fruit, consider the presence of pollinating trees in your garden. This tree is not self-fertile. Cherries need a partner to set fruit. Otherwise, no more than 5% of the flowers will produce fruit.

If you have only one tree in your garden, a cherry tree growing in a neighboring plot can partially save the situation. You can cut a few branches of a flowering fruit tree, place them in water, and tie the container to the trunk. Some gardeners graft a second variety of cherry onto the tree to solve the pollination problem.

Unpleasant Neighborhood

Cherries don't do well with all fruit crops. Unfavorable proximity reduces yields. Many flowers fall off before pollination. It's not recommended to plant walnuts near this fruit crop. Apple and pear trees don't do well next to it. Cherries have a highly developed shallow root system, so it's not recommended to grow seedlings under them. Nightshade vegetables planted nearby also have a negative impact on the crop.

Sweet cherries thrive alongside other varieties of cherries, including sour cherries. However, the trees don't form a dense crown. Primroses, thyme, and other low-light plants can grow in their shade. Honey-producing flowers can be planted under the crown to improve fruit set.

Cherries are a heat-loving fruit crop that produces a wonderful harvest when properly planted and cared for. The trees bloom in April or May. However, the ripening times of early- and late-ripening varieties vary greatly. By planting seedlings of different varieties in your garden, you can enjoy delicious berries from early June to late August.