The last few years we have been buying alot of Cherries at the market. And with some free space I thought it would be a good idea to plant some Cherry trees and bushes. It may take a few years to get a tree that produces, so now is a good time to start. A few years from now I should have many Cherries if the trees are happy.
I already have Minnie Royal planted, along with a Black Tartarian Cherry tree. I planted them early this year. Though those two trees will not pollinate each other from the reading ive done. So to fill that gap I got two more Cherry trees, this time within the right flowering group. Which dictates which trees and compatible with others. All based on which week of the year they flower.
I bought two Lapins semi-dwarf Cherry trees, and two Hansen bush Cherries. The Lapins should be compatible with the Black Tartarian Cherry tree. But as for the Minnie Royal, I have to find another one that flowers at the same time. Ive come across some online but they want over $70 for them. I usually pay $30 for a tree so it bothered me and I did not buy another. I cannot just buy another Minnie Royal as Cherry trees need to be different cultivars to cross pollinate.
The Hansen bush cherries should cross pollinate between each other, from what ive read they can be the same cultivar. The Cherries produced are small so I didn't want many, just thought it would be fun to have a Cherry bush along with the trees.
I find good spots to plant these, and prefilled the holes with mulch as I was waiting for them. Hopefully adding some nutrients to the soil. I plant them with the cutting of the tree above ground. This is where the graft spot is, and how I got semi dwarfs. The trees should be more controllable than a standard Cherry tree being smaller.
Hah my Peach tree is a standard and its alot of work to keep up with it. So I think having a semi dwarf will help keep the pruning to a reasonable amount.
It may take a few years before the Cherry trees produce any Cherries. But I think it will be well worth the wait.
