Sour Cherries (Sort of like Sour Grapes)

[Guest guest]

I have posted before saying that sour cherries are almost impossible

to find. So...about 3 years ago, I planted my own little Northstar

cherry tree in the fall. The first season, I was surprised to find

that it was loaded with cherries, but all that was left were pits

attached to stems! The birds had feasted before I even knew they were

ripe. Last summer, I put a net over the tree in early June and got

about enough for 1 pie.

This summer, I don't seem to have many cherries on the tree. Was it a

late frost? Am I supposed to be fertilizing? Is it the bee colony

collapse? Where am I going to get cherries? Will, how is your tree

doing this year?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

> This summer, I don't seem to have many cherries on the tree. Was it a

> late frost? Am I supposed to be fertilizing?

Kathy,

Our cherry tree has a poor showing this year as well. Last year we had

our biggest crop since planting (5-6 years ago) and got enough for

three pies and then some. In previous years we had fewer cherries, and

the birds invariably ate them all before we could pick them, since

they seem to ripen over the Solstice when we tend to be up north

celebrating. Last year we draped one of my son's toy snakes in the

tree as a deterrent to the birds, and I do believe it worked!

I don't know why we have so few baby cherries this year -- I just sort

of chalked it up to an " off " year. I'll be interested to see if you

learn anything about yours.

Peace,

Genie

[Guest guest]

Funny this should come up....  Here, in New York, I'm having an issue somewhat

similar...

I'm getting no apples, or pears, on my trees!   Not sure if it's a climate

change, the lack of bees (and overabundance of wasps, hornets and other nasties)

or if I'm doing something wrong!

I don't regularly 'spray' my trees... though I do finely mist with a tea-tree

oil mixed with water...  I keep the branches clean of gypsy moth ...'things'...

and the kids and I talk to them often <G>

Just not sure what I'm doing wrong...  The farmers, locally, have a good crop

coming up....

 

Candace Musmeci

CaeletNox@...

Newburgh, NY

 

~Dipping into the Living Well...One product at a time~

Re: Sour Cherries (Sort of like Sour Grapes)

> This summer, I don't seem to have many cherries on the tree. Was it a

> late frost? Am I supposed to be fertilizing?

Kathy,

Our cherry tree has a poor showing this year as well. Last year we had

our biggest crop since planting (5-6 years ago) and got enough for

three pies and then some. In previous years we had fewer cherries, and

the birds invariably ate them all before we could pick them, since

they seem to ripen over the Solstice when we tend to be up north

celebrating. Last year we draped one of my son's toy snakes in the

tree as a deterrent to the birds, and I do believe it worked!

I don't know why we have so few baby cherries this year -- I just sort

of chalked it up to an " off " year. I'll be interested to see if you

learn anything about yours.

Peace,

Genie