If you are entering the exciting world of growing fruit trees, you may be wondering if it is necessary Plant two cherry trees together to have cherries.Will you not be able to enjoy your favorite fruit if not?
It's time to clear up any doubts and find out what you need so that you can soon be tasting sweet and juicy cherries straight from your orchard. Take good note!
Do you need to plant two cherry trees together to have cherries?
The answer is “it depends.” It depends on the variety you have, because some of them have the ability to self-fertilize, while others are self-incompatible and require pollen from another cherry tree for the flowers to give way to the fruits.
The Self-fertile varieties are capable of producing fruit on their own., pollinating themselves from the pollen of their own flowers. In this way, a cherry tree that does not have other trees of the same species around can give us a good harvest of cherries.
However, if the species you have chosen is self-incompatible, needs cross-pollinationIn this case, you do need to have two cherry trees more or less close together to obtain fruit.
Self-fertile varieties of cherry trees
These trees are a good choice if you don't have much space available for growing cherries, because you won't need to plant more than one tree to have cherries. In addition, these varieties are somewhat easier to care for.
Among the most notable self-fertile varieties we find:
- Sweetheart It produces large, sweet, early-ripening fruits, and the tree is of medium vigor.
- Lapins. Its fruits are medium-sized and sweet in taste, with an early ripening. It is also a very productive tree.
- Sunburst. This tree of medium vigor and early ripening fruits allows us to enjoy large and juicy cherries.
- Star. It is a tree of medium vigor with medium-ripening fruits, which stand out for being large and firm.
What all these trees have in common is that their fruits are big compared to self-incompatible varieties. They are more vigorous and productive and the fruits stand out for their pleasant and sweet taste.
Self-incompatible varieties of cherry trees
In this case, it is important to plant compatible cherry trees together. If they are not compatible, pollination may occur, but the harvest will be very poor.
Cross-pollination occurs when Pollen from one cherry tree is transferred to the stigma of the flower of another compatible variety, a “job” that is usually carried out by pollinating insects such as bees.
To know if two cherry varieties are compatible, you have to pay attention to factors such as:
- Genotype. It is the genetic makeup of each variety that determines its ability to accept or reject pollen from another variety.
- Phenophase. The flowering season of both types of cherry trees must coincide or be very close in time, otherwise fertilization will not be possible.
- Environmental factors. Climate, temperature and humidity can influence pollen viability and pollinator activity.
Therefore, when planting two cherry trees together to have cherries, it is important to consult with specialists in the field.
Examples of self-incompatible varieties and their pollinators:
- Burlat. It can be pollinated with Early Rivers, Van or Napoleon.
- Lapins. Although it is a self-fertile variety, it can also benefit from cross-pollination with other varieties such as Sweetheart or Sunburst.
- Sweetheart As in the previous case, despite being a self-fertile variety, its production can increase if there is cross-pollination.
How to plant two cherry trees together to have cherries?
To be successful follow these tips:
Variety selection
Choose cherry varieties that pollinate each other. This requires that they flower at the same time, in slightly overlapping periods.
Also, select varieties that give fruits whose characteristics are interesting to you in terms of size, flavour and ripening time.
Planting distance
Sufficient space must be left between the trees. so that they can develop correctlyThe distance between one specimen and another depends on the variety chosen, but usually ranges between four and six meters.
To facilitate pollination, it is advisable not to plant trees of one variety in the middle of trees of another variety.
Plantation
Plant cherry trees following these basic instructions:
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the tree roots.
- Mix the extracted sand with compost or well-rotted manure to amend and enrich the soil.
- Place the tree in the hole, spreading the roots out and covering them with the soil mixture.
- Water abundantly.
Tips for a good cherry harvest
- Try to keep the wet floor, especially during dry periods, but always avoiding flooding.
- During the spring and summer months apply a balanced fertilizer for fruit treesThe frequency and amount of product depends on the age of the tree and the characteristics of the soil. To avoid mistakes, always follow the application instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- During the first years of life of the cherry trees, it carries out training pruning to achieve a strong and balanced structure. Then you can do annual production pruning to eliminate diseased, weak or poorly oriented branches, thus promoting fruit production.
- Check the trees periodically to ensure that they are free from insects and fungus infestations. If you detect any problems, apply specific phytosanitary products as soon as possible.
- In areas with cold winters, Protects young trees from low temperatures wrapping the trunk with an insulating material and applying a layer of mulch around the trunk.
- Promotes pollination attracting pollinating insects such as bees to your garden. To do this, plant honey-producing flowers.
- Harvest cherries when they are ripe but still firm. They are characterized by having an intense color and being easily removed from the tree. Handle the fruits carefully to avoid damaging them.
We now know that it is not necessary to plant two cherry trees together to have cherries, but it is highly recommended if we want to enjoy an abundant harvest and fruits with an extraordinary flavor.