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Fruit & Orchards

Pollinator needed for Cherry Trees

17 years ago

Does anyone know of a good cherry pollinator that will work for both Bing and Rainier Cherries?

In addition to the Bing and Rainier Cherries, I also have Starkrimson and Montmorency Cherries which are said to be self-pollinating.

My Rainier had a few cherries on it last year. I'm not sure what pollinated it as my trees are the only ones around except for my in-laws' Nanking Cherries.

I'm beginning to have my doubts about Starkrimson being self-pollinating but figure anything that will pollinate Bing will aid in pollinating Starkrimson too.

Comments (2)

Jerry Murphy
Original Author
17 years ago
Well I'll answer my own question. After doing some more reading it appears Bing and Rainier will pollinate each other. I guess that's why I got a few Rainiers last year.

I was under the impression that Bing and Rainier Cherries wouldn't pollinate each other. Isn't Bing one of the ancestors of Rainier?
jellyman
17 years ago
jwm:

Yes, Rainier is a Bing/Van cross, but that genetic change resulted in a cultivar that will pollinate Bing. Starkrimson is called Lapins by everyone but Stark Bros., and will undoubtedly supply some pollen too.

I hope you are able to raise these large crisp cherries in Alabama without cracking. They are sure hard to raise here in N. Virginia, with its combination of heat and humidity during the ripening period. Lapins is softer and should be easier. Sweet cherries seem to be a delicate task just about anywhere they are raised.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
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Aloha A self-fertile cherry like Lapins would be an adequate pollenizer for Black Tartarian, were it not for the fact you live in zone 4 Iowa. In your climate, sweet cherries are out of reach. You will probably never pick a ripe cherry from your Black Tartarian, no matter what type of pollenizer you plant. I wish you luck, but suggest you plant a tart cherry like Montmorency or Meteor, which would do pretty well where you live. Sorry I can't offer you more encouragement, but that would be even worse than telling you the truth. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
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You don't need 4 in 1 sweet cherries these days. You can grow Stella, Lapins, and a few other self pollinating varieties that should be hardy enough for your area. The biggest problem, as with anywhere in the east, is fruit that cracks from rain. A near ripe cherry will split with even a light rain. You can get a 4 in 1 if that is what you want, but you don't need it if all you want are sweet cherries.
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I'm with Ken.....what the heck is a "rainbow" cherry tree? No joy on Google and not a familiar cultivar. Is it a sweet cherry? Not all sweet cherries can be relied upon for proper cross-pollination - look for those that are self-fruitful (Lapin, Stella, Sweetheart, etc). They are considered "universal" pollinators. And no, a tree of the same variety will not provide cross pollination. btw, your local nursery should be providing you with proper fruit tree pollination information. Depending on fruit grown and where, it can get quite specific.
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Yes, I think you were misinformed. I have noticed trees at Home Depot with Spanish labeling and the HD plant staff is not known for their expertise. If Lapins were not self-fertile and did need a pollinator, it would not be another Lapins. You would need to have some other type of sweet cherry. The good news is that the one tree should produce nicely for you in a couple of seasons.
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