I should elaborate on the water issue. My outdoor cherries were half the size of greenhouse fruit and 35+ brix. That says too much water deficit to me. In the greenhouse I'm always suggesting a long term water deficit to increase brix on pluot and nectarine, not sure about cherries. But judging by fruit size and brix in the linked report above, I got it right on water last year. A refractometer is very helpful on water management. If brix is below 16 on most stone fruit, with large fruit size, that indicates too much water. If brix is above 32-35 and fruit small, that is too much water deficit.

Zaiger was working with different cherry tree cultivars from Spain. It's quite possible—I would even say very likely—they could have used Cristobalina to breed Royal Lee. The descriptions of these cherries sound quite similar to each other in many respects, dark colored flesh, sweet, and good flavor. quote by goyo626: "I tried searching for cristobalina cherry patent info but nothing comes up. Can anyone direct me to the patent info on this variety. The only info I have found is that it is an old spanish variety. Thank you. " I feel reluctant to post this again, because I have already posted in several other places in this message board, but here it goes... There is a low chill Spanish heirloom variety cherry called Cristobalina. It is self-fertile and requires about 200 chill hours. Cristobalina has been grown for generations of cherry growers in Andalucia and Valencia, where winters are as mild as they are in Southern California, and reliably produces fruit despite lack of a cold winter. It is known to flower mid-February and produces dark purple, delicious sweet cherries. The only negative is that the fruit does not have as much edible flesh as other more popular cherry varieties, but thinning the tree can help lead to more full-sized fruit. Of course there would not be a patent on it, and this variety is not widely known in America.

Norma, I am in Granada Hills - 3 years ago I planted two Japanese flowering cherries, two Prunus mume, a Taiwan flowering cherry and a hybrid Blireana. The flowering cherries haven't grown much in three years, one mume is dead and the second looks to be dying, only Blireana is thriving. I also have Lapins and Royal Rainier, they are doing fine, they were planted later and Lapins has fruited a small amount the last two springs. The mumes at the Huntington look OK and Descanso has a beautiful collection of Japanese flowering cherry trees. If I had to do it over, I would plant something different they just don't seem to shine in this climate (at my house anyway).

Cherries Minnie Royal Southwestern fruit gardeners can finally celebrate the introductions of two new very-low-chill sweet cherries. Minnie Royal and its companion Royal Lee have proven themselves to be low chill adaptable. In fact, they may not require any chill at all. Minnie Royal is a medium to large size red cherry with a firm texture and superior flavor. Fruit begins to ripen in early May and holds well on the tree into June. The tree is very productive and sets heavy crops in southern California. We estimate the chill requirement at 200 to 300 hours, but some have produced with less than 100 hours. A Zaiger introduction, pollenized by Royal Lee. Royal Lee Pollenizing companion to Minnie Royal, the Royal Lee ripens about one week later and holds well on the tree until mid-June. Royal Lee is a medium sized red-to-dark-red sweet cherry with a very firm, crunchy texture. Flavor is rated as excellent. As with Minnie Royal, the estimated chill requirement is 200 to 300 hours, but my Royal Lee tree has proven fruitful with even less. Zaiger introduction, pollenized by Minnie Royal.