The 'low chill' controversy
Axel
15 years ago
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sautesmom Sacramento
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Best low chill cherry combo?
Comments (5)Well, for us in the home hobby market, the two best choices for low chill cherries close to the ocean (you didn't put your Sunset zone - much more helpful in California than the meaningless USDA zone), will be Minnie Royal and Royal Lee. In fact, they were tested RIGHT on the coast in both San Diego and Orange counties with resounding success in both counties. Not so sure you're going to be able to find Royal Edie or Royal Helen at retail outlets, and I believe they may be better suited to inland California valley areas (i.e., San Joaquin valley, which is WAY colder than us), which will get significantly (relatively speaking for us Californians) more chill hours. I have both Minnie Royal and Royal Lee in my yard, and will have my first crop this year, I hope. I have tried them both, and they are very good. I like Royal Lee a bit better because to me it's a bit sweeter, but then, I like my stone fruits REALLY sweet, not tart at all, so I would suspect both cherries would appeal to any cherry loverl. Cherries are probably the one stone fruit that is particular about their chill hours. If you really are in San Diego, within say 6 miles of the coast, you're just not nearly going to be close to the chill hours needed for Royal Rainier, nor Royal Helen I suspect. Both Royal Lee and Minnie Royal were specifically developed for us at the S. Calif. coast. I am in Vista, in the hills about 6 miles in from the ocean. I probably get 300 to maybe 350 chill hours max, and I'm probably colder than you all, if you are in San Diego proper. I've included a nice link for you to see if you can estimate your chill hours by looking at the closest weather station. My best comparison would be the Mira Mar station, based on the miles inland. However, if you really want the skinny on the best cherries for your specific area, contact Tom Spellman at DWN. He is the S. California Sales Specialist, and was very involved with both the Minnie Royal and Royal Lee development, and can give you the very best advice. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: UC Davis Pomology Weather Services - Cumulative Chilling Hours by Calif. County...See MoreBest tasting low chill early apricot?
Comments (14)@Diyfreddy -Pluots/plumcots Emerald Drop, Splash, and Geo Pride are doing great as separate trees and fruit every year. I had them first grafted on one tree and only Geo Pride survived and grew to a full tree. Flavor Grenade tastes wonderful but struggles with disease. Minnie Royal and Royal Lee cherry trees also have lovely blossems and fruit that the birds love. You would have to net the trees to get any cherries but they're good. I'm elderly and don't prune my fruit trees anymore so that might influence their production. Citrus do so well without fuss, spraying or pruning that I'm enjoying them so much more than the stone fruits. Some varieties of bananas do well here now with the climate change....See MoreLow chill Florida Apples & Pears? Worth planting?
Comments (2)I've had an Anna apple tree for 2 years now. It's still young but I did get 3 whole apples this year. But it never looks really healthy, I think it requires more fertilizer and disease control than what I've given it. I also have been told I need another variety for it to cross-pollinate with. But the apples we got tasted good....See MoreI have room for a single low-chill apricot, which one?
Comments (8)The fruit quality is not affected in any way by the tree that pollinated it. Though it does take pollination to occur for the fruit to start growing in the first place (with rare exceptions). If a tree is "partially self-fertile" that means it can produce fruit on its own, but will produce more fruit if there's a different variety to pollinate it. This is a reproductive strategy to still allow the tree to propagate by itself but not waste too much energy reproducing offspring who are genetically identical to it. Or in other cases, the tree might just not be a very good pollinator. Apricot trees are generally self-fertile. Sweet cherries usually require a pollinator (with the exception of a small number of varieties), and tart cherries are self-fertile....See MoreAxel
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