HELENA COLUMNARY CHERRY TREE - 9FC06-

Pollination

Some cherry varieties are self-sterile and therefore bear no fruit or only very little fruit unless cross-pollinated with a specific variety. Other varieties, however, are self-fertile and fruiting occurs regularly even if there is only one cherry tree in the orchard. Cherry trees are pollinated by entomophilous pollination (by pollinating insects); we recommend spacing plants no more than 20 meters apart. In turn, the pollinator needs the plant it has pollinated to bear fruit (except in cases where it is self-fertile).

Planting Potted Plants

Potted fruit plants should be planted at the right depth, so that the graft point is not buried and the upper part of the root system is at ground level. Once the plants have been planted, it is a good idea to compact the soil around them, mixing it with an organic fertilizer, creating a sort of basin. Wet the basin with about 20 liters of water so that the soil adheres to the root ball without leaving air bubbles. For tree-like fruit trees, such as apricot, cherry, chestnut, quince, fig, apple, walnut, pear, peach, and plum trees, the following recommended planting distances are recommended: 4.50–5.00 m between plants along the rows, and 5.50–6.00 m between rows. These distances can be significantly reduced for dwarf apple, pear, and other fruit trees, or those grafted onto less vigorous rootstocks.

Planting Periods Ideally, fruit trees should be planted in late autumn, i.e., in November and December (before the first frost), although later planting is also possible in midwinter if the ground is not frozen. Another ideal planting period is February–March, or at the latest until mid-April. Only if the plants were previously grown in pots can they be planted in the following months, taking due care and maintaining the root ball intact. Fruit trees grow well in fertile, deep, and permeable soil. If the soil is very clayey and rather compact, it is advisable to ensure deep drainage.

NB: The ripening times of all fruit trees can be early or late, even a week or more, depending on exposure and climate.