Cherries: How to Grow Them Big and Healthy

Ever wondered how to get the most out of your sweet cherry trees? Lets talk about grafts, training, and rootstocks. These key factors can make a big difference in how healthy and tasty your cherries turn out. Lets dive in! First, lets talk about rootstocks. Two common ones are called Krymsk 5 and Piku 1. As it turns out, Krymsk 5 can lead to thicker trunks, and more leaf area. This is something to think about when youre planning your sweet cherry orchard. Next, come the training systems. These can greatly change the growth of the trees and ultimately the cherries you get. Upright Fruiting Offshoots (UFO), Super Slender Axe (SSA), and Kym Green Bush (KGB) are some of the ways to go. The results can be surprising! Now, you might be wondering if the rootstocks and training systems affect the cherries themselves. The answer is yes. They can change fruit weight and taste, affecting properties like firmness and acidity. This is not always the case, though; sometimes, the differences are not very noticeable. But in some years, the training system and rootstock can have a major impact.What if youre interested in the health benefits of cherries? The good news is, certain combinations of rootstocks and training systems can boost phytochemicals. These are the good-for-you compounds in cherries. The UFO training system, paired with the Krymsk 5 rootstock, seems to be a winner here. So, what does this all mean? Well, if youre thinking about growing cherry trees, this is a lot to consider. The right choices can lead to healthier trees, better-tasting cherries, and more health benefits. Its all about figuring out what works best for the type of cherries you want to grow. Why is this important? It makes you think about what you can do to grow the best cherries. This could help people deciding what cherries to grow, and how to grow them.