Self-Pollinating and Cross-Pollinating Fruit
Cherry trees are either self-pollinating (self-fertile) or cross-pollinating (self-sterile). Self-pollinating cherry trees, such as the 'Stella' and 'Compact Stella,' have the ability to fertilize their own flowers with their own pollen, making them ideal for gardeners with limited space for multiple trees. This means that a single self-pollinating cherry tree can bear fruit on its own without the need for a partner.
On the other hand, cross-pollinating cherry trees require the pollen from the flowers of one tree to be transferred to the flowers of another tree of a different variety in order to produce fruit. This process often involves the work of bees and other pollinators. Varieties like 'Bing' and 'Rainier' fall into this category and require a compatible partner nearby for successful fruit production.
Understanding the distinction between the two pollination types is vital for anyone wanting to grow and harvest their own cherries. Make sure you understand the pollination needs of your cherry tree varieties before planting.
Improve Cherry Harvests
Cherries rely heavily on successful pollination to produce fruit. For cherry producers, understanding and enhancing the pollination process is key to maximizing harvests. One effective strategy is to ensure the presence of pollinator-friendly environments. This includes planting a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year to attract and sustain a diverse population of pollinators. Additionally, integrating beehives directly into cherry orchards during the flowering period can dramatically increase pollination rates. It's also important to understand which cherry varieties share the same blooming period in order to promote cross pollination and fruit set.
