Cherries are a delicious stone fruit packed with health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, these sweet red fruits have a pit at their center. For gardening enthusiasts, planting a fruit tree and harvesting its bounty brings immense satisfaction. In this article, we provide tips for planting cherry pits and growing these delightful fruits at home.
Fresh cherries, whether bigarreau, guigne, or morello, enhance salads, juices, jams, and gourmet desserts. To cultivate a cherry tree, you need to graft a bud from an existing tree onto a compatible rootstock. Typically, bees pollinate the blossoms in spring, leading to fruit ripening about six weeks later. Harvesting should be done by hand based on fruit size and maturity. Regular pruning, weed removal, and watering are essential for optimal growth, especially before flowering.
Steps to Growing a Cherry Tree
To grow cherries, follow these steps to germinate a cherry pit:
- Select the Right Variety: Choose the cherry tree varieties that suit your climate and soil.
- Harvest Timing: Ensure the chosen pit is compatible with your local terroir, climate, and soil temperature.
- Clean the Pit: Brush the pit under clear water to prevent algae and fungi from developing.
- Choose Multiple Kernels: Select about five pits to increase your chances of a successful harvest.
- Water Test: Place the pits in a bowl of water and discard any that float, as these are likely not viable.
- Planting: Use a terracotta pot (10 cm in diameter) with a three-centimeter layer of gravel or clay balls at the bottom to ensure proper drainage. Cover half of the pot with soil, place the cherry stones on top, and cover them with more soil.
- Moisture Maintenance: Keep the soil moist until flowering begins.
- Cold Stratification: Place the pots in the refrigerator for 60 days to simulate winter conditions, then move them to a sunny location to encourage growth.
- Germination Acceleration: For faster germination, you can crack the cherry stone and remove the kernel, placing it in cotton and refrigerating it for 60 days.
- Outdoor Transition: Once the first leaves appear, place the cherry tree outside in a warm, sunny spot, away from harsh winds.
- Gradual Exposure: Gradually remove the leaves from the tree until the trunk becomes robust.
It typically takes about three years before you can enjoy the delicious flavor of your homegrown cherries. Each year, the harvest will improve!
If you’re cultivating fruit in your garden, consider learning how to plant tangerines at home for a healthy dose of vitamin C.
