Sour cherries are a relatively new and very exciting crop to the prairies. There have been introductions of hardy sour cherries such as Evan’s Cherry to the prairies in the past 10 years. These selections have had problems with hardiness in certain areas of the prairies. The breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan have been breeding cherries that are naturally dwarfed which means that the cherries don't have to be grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks to get dwarfing capabilities.

These cherries are crosses of Prunus fruiticosa (Mongolian cherry) and Prunus cerasus (Sour cherry). The hybrids have the fruit size of sour cherry and the hardiness and dwarfing qualities of Mongolian cherry. The University of Saskatchewan hybrids also have dark red flesh and dark red juice instead of yellow flesh and clear juice like traditional sour cherries. Also, because of the dwarfing qualities of the plants, over-the-row harvesters are a possibility for this crop. These new cherries are very promising to the prairie fruit industry and are definitely an exciting development in prairie horticulture.

Plant Characteristics

Plant Height: 2 to 3 metres
Plant Width: 2 to 3 metres
Form: round shrub
Flowering Time: middle to late May
Fruiting Time: middle July to middle August
Fruit Size: 3 to 6 grams (SK Carmine Jewel is 4 g.)
Pit Shape: round (Evan’s cherry is elongate)

Site Preparation

Planting, Mulch, and Irrigation

Weed, Pest, and Disease Management

Pruning

Harvesting

Handling and Storage

Processed Products

Marketing