Tart cherry

Sour cherries are not among the most popular fruits, while they have a wider use in terms of processing and also contain more valuable substances.

Short description of the species

Botanical name

Tart cherry

Latin name

Prunus cerassus

Family

Amarylkovité – Amaryllidaceae

Origin

Transcaucasia region, more precisely between the Black and Caspian seas

Crop classification

stone-fruit

Growing shape

spindle, dwarfstem

Spacing

1,8-2,0 x 3,5-4,0m

Soil type

medum heavy

Soil pH

5,5-6,5

Yields

15-20t/ha

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Interesting

It is not only the taste that makes sour cherries so valuable. Thanks to its red color, the fruit is rich in antioxidants, which help you avoid several chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. It also contains a large amount of vitamins A, C and B, but the mineral content is also significant.

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Usage

direct consumption, processing into nectar and juices, distillation, jams, wine

Suitable growing locations 

Sour cherries are less demanding on the soil than cherries, they can also be grown on shallower soils, the pH can be even more acidic than cherries (5.5-6.5). However, they also do not tolerate cold and wet soils. Locations up to 200-400 m.a.s.l. are optimal. with an average annual temperature of 8-10°C and an annual rainfall of 600 mm. Closed locations with late spring frosts are unsuitable. 

Suitable rootstocks 

Since sour cherries are closely related to cherries, the same types of rootstocks as for cherries are suitable. 

Suitable varieties

As a result of the lack of interest of consumers and the market for fresh fruit, there is less motivation for breeders to supply the market with high-quality new varieties that would also be important from a European point of view. which is a great pity, because sour cherries are very neglected in terms of direct consumption. Therefore, late Morela is still the standard in the assortment, but we also recommend the varieties Morelenfeuer, Érdi Bötermö, Újfehértói Furtös, Morina, Gerema and Karneol.

Diseases and pests

diseases: monilio blight of shoots, brown rot, spots and holes in the leaves

pests: cherry blossom borer, Japanese drosophila, aphids