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Sour cherry
Prunus cerasus · Rosaceae
📷 Ввласенко · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Feuilles, tiges et noyaux ou graines mâchés contiennent des glycosides cyanogènes ; le risque dépend de la partie et de la quantité ingérées. Pour les espèces fruitières, la chair mûre dénoyautée est généralement sans danger.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sour cherry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, white flowers in clusters
- Mature size
- 4 to 5 m in height
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Central Asia and Pontus region
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Trim sour cherry lightly in February or right after harvest, during dry spells.
The common mistake
Skipping watering in May-June when fruits are sizing up: you'll end up with small, shriveled, bitter cherries.
The pro's trick
Keep watering steady from May through harvest (June-July).
Care
Exposure
The sour cherry thrives in full sun, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct daily light for optimal fruiting. A south or south-west facing position is ideal. In partial shade, flowering and fruit production will be reduced.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to promote root establishment. Once established, the sour cherry tolerates moderate dry periods well. Increase watering during prolonged droughts or during fruiting.
Soil Preparation
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil that is slightly acidic. Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure at planting time. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soils that promote root diseases.
Pruning and Training
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to maintain a balanced shape and open up the canopy. Remove dead, diseased or crossing branches. Excessive pruning weakens the tree and reduces fruit production.
Fertilization
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. An annual application of compost or well-rotted manure is generally sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of fruit.
Disease Prevention
The sour cherry can be susceptible to moniliosis (fruit rot) and fungal infections in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation through proper pruning. Spray with a natural fungicide (sulfur or copper) if symptoms appear.
Did you know?
The sour cherry was long cultivated in Europe from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, valued less for its fruit than for its reputed therapeutic properties. Its tart cherries, rich in vitamins, were prized in the kitchen for jam and brandy preparations, while medieval legend associated it with healing properties.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.