Good Fruit Grower

June 1

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Starletta blush cherries were bred in Summerland, British Columbia. B.C. releases blush cherries New blushed cherry varieties are C attracting interest around the world. by Geraldine Warner herry growers in British Columbia, Canada, have historically not been inter- ested in blushed cherry varieties because of the fruit's sensitivity to bruising and the difficulties of growing and packing it. In fact, it's estimated that only 25 acres of the province's 4,500 acres of cherries are blush varieties. But two new blushed cherry varieties developed in British Columbia are about to be released at the request of growers and nurseries in other parts of the world. The varieties were bred at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, at Summerland, and are being licensed by the Okanagan Plant Improvement Company (PICO), which handles the commercialization of Summerland apple and cherry varieties. Starblush (13N-07-39 cultivar) is from a cross of 2N-63-20 (Bing x Salmo) and Stella made by former breeder Dr. David Lane in 1976. The fruit is very large (over 12 grams) and highly blushed, but the blush is darker than on most yellow cherries and can be slightly mottled. The cherry is very sweet with good flavor. It matures about three days after Lapins. This variety has been requested by a New Zealand nursery and a group of growers in Oregon. Starletta (SPC 207 cultivar) is from a cross of Stella and 2S-84-10 also made by Lane in 1976. It has large fruit with good tolerance to cracking. The fruit is firm with a bright flush, and has good flavor with some acidity. It matures about ten days after Van. The variety is being released at the request of New Zealand nursery grower Andy McGrath and Jean- Pierre Darnaud with International Plant Selection in France, who have been testing it. Starletta will be available throughout Europe as an open release. British Columbia has had a cherry breeding program at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Summerland since 1936, but developing blushed varieties was not a goal until recently. Apple and cherry breeder Dr. Cheryl Hampson said breeders used to walk straight by seedlings that turned out to be blushed. Ken Haddrell, operations manager with PICO, said about 10 percent of the program's cherry seedlings have turned out to be blushed, which is not what most Canadian grow- ers want, unless they sell their fruit at the farm. However, PICO commercializes varieties around the world, including places where blushed cherries are in demand. And so, in recent years, breeders have begun to pay attention to blush selections. Summerland's first blush cherry, an early-maturing cherry called Sue, was named in 1954. More than a half century went by before the program released its second blush cherry, Stardust (13N-07-70 cultivar), in 2008. Stardust came from the same cross of 2N-63-20 and Stella as Starblush. It is self-fertile and matures about five days after Rainier (around July 18 in Summerland). While exceptionally large and firm, it has been judged less sweet and flavorful than Rainier. Although the B.C. breeding program has traditionally focused on developing large, late-season cherry varieties, Hampson said she's been making crosses for early and mid- season cultivars, too, because growers are wanting to bring in the harvest crew earlier and keep workers all season. She has some promising early-season selections, including a very large, early, blush cherry, that have the potential to extend the season on the front end for B.C. growers. The breeding program is also looking for varieties with better storability, so fruit can be shipped more successfully by sea, and improved mildew resistance. • www.goodfruit.com 741 Sunset Road, Brentwood, CA 94513 800.634.1671 (Alison Clegg or Richard Chavez) 877.457.6901 (Henry Sanguinetti) Fax 925.634.6040 www.protreenursery.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JUNE 2012 23 Our selection in a crowd Banning Red Fuji (USPP 16,624 P2) Beni Shogun (USPP 7997) Brookfield® Buckeye® Blondee™ (USPP 19,007 McLaughlin cv) (USPP 10,016) (USPP 10,840) ® (USPP 21,300) Granny Smith (USPP 7526) ™ (USPP 7197) Gala Gala Dandee Red® (USPP 16,620) Golden Delicious ™ ® ™ ™ (USPP 11,992) ™ (USPP 20,590) ® (USPP 12,900) ™ (serial 74/458,730) ® (USPP 9681) really stands out ProTree Nurseries has a great selection of the varieties you want. We plant a wide range of trees each year, on only the best rootstocks and graft a long list of different variety/stock combinations. High-quality apple and cherry trees are available, and our trees are grown with the greatest of care. Rising Sun Fuji® ® (USPP 10,115) ® Schlect Spur Delicious™ ™ Fuji (USPP 11,193) Torres Fuji™ (USPP applied for) (USPP applied for) Ultima™ Gala (USPP 13,753 P2) Zestar!™ (USPP 11,367) These apple varieties are available on B-10, B-118, EMLA-7, EMLA-26, EMLA-106, EMLA-111, G-11, G-16, G-30, M-9 337T, NIC®-29, or Supporter 4. ™ ® ™ ® ® ™ ™ ™ ™ Available on Colt, Gisela®, Krymsk®, Mahaleb, or Mazzard.* *Not all varieties are available on all rootstocks. Call for specific grafting information. Now taking contract orders for 2014! Don't see the variety you want listed here? We can accommodate your custom order now for 2014 trees. Photo courtesy of PIco

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