What Is Causing Cherries to Rot On the Tree?
Understanding the causes behind cherries rotting on the tree can be daunting and worrisome for many cherry orchard farmers. The process leading up to cherries rotting on the tree is complex and is often due to a few individual factors. To gain insight on why cherries may rot on the tree and best practices for preventing this from occurring, opinions from experts in the field were seeked.
Damon Ogle, a fruit tree specialist from the Riverland region, states that the presence of diseases, such as brown rot, is the prominent cause for cherries rotting on the tree. Brown rot is found primarily in the spring and summer months, meaning that if the season is chilly more time will be needed in order to reach the ideal stage of ripeness. “In a situation like [cool weather], the trees will struggle to ripen the cherries before the disease takes over”, explains Ogle.
In addition to brown rot, bacteria and fungi may also wreak havoc on cherry orchards and cause premature fruit rot and fungal blights. Jonathon Croft, a former advisor for Plant Board of Queensland, explains that “if a disease isn’t addressed right away, early in the season, the rotting of cherries on the tree can be accelerated”. To avoid such a problem, Croft suggests controlling weeds and removing affected parts of the tree from the orchard.
Robert Arthur, the head of a number of New England cherry orchards, furthers the idea of prevention as the best course of action. Arthur advises that cherry trees be monitored closely to ensure that the fruits are being given adequate care and are not subject to any conditions that may cause them to immediately rot on the tree. Arthur states that “interesting conditions that may arise, like hot weather or unusually high humidity, can cause the skins of cherries, most notably the red varieties, to crack, exposing them to fungus and rot”.
It is recommended that prevention practices such as the ones outlined above are put into place and then managed on a frequent basis, in order to properly reduce the risk of cherries rotting prematurely on the tree. It is also suggested that, when attempting to ripen cherries earlier, the use of nets to protect them from bugs and the sun is beneficial, as well as the preservation of surrounding biodiversity in the orchard.
Protecting Cherries From Brown Rot
Heading off the spread of brown rot in an orchard is no easy feat. In order to do so, it is essential to identify the disease in the early stages. According to Rob Lowe, a fruit tree specialist and consultant, some of the signs of brown rot include sunken and discolored areas of the fruit, as well as an appearance of dried, rusty and velvety sporulation of the fruit’s surface. As soon as these signs are seen, fruits should be promptly picked and destroyed rather than leaving them to rot on the tree.
One common solution to the problem of brown rot is the use of a fungicide. Fungicides are sprayed directly onto cherries in order to protect them from the fungal spores of brown rot, thus preventing the premature rotting of them on the tree. Lowe advocates for this solution as long as it is applied before the occurrence of brown rot.
Lowe further stresses the importance of sanitation in the orchard, emphasizing that orchards should be monitored closely and the mummified fruits should be routinely removed. He acknowledges that this can be a difficult task, however, it must be done before the tissues of the cherries become harmful to the other fruits on the tree.
Using Irrigation Systems
Another way to prevent cherries from rotting on the tree is the use of irrigation systems. Irrigation systems provide water to the trees in order to keep them hydrated and less susceptible to the diseases that may lead to cherries rotting prematurely. In the event of periods of drought, the use of an effective irrigation system is highly encouraged.
Maintaining a balanced excess of water in the orchard is crucial, as it ensures that there is adequate water to support the trees while also keeping them from getting too overwhelmed with water. For example, too little water can create multiple problems such as wilting, sunburns, scalds and dieback, whereas too much water can increase the risk of fungus and bacteria growth.
Along with that, it is suggested that covered irrigation systems be implemented when practical. These systems help to reduce the contact between the water and the cherry fruits, thus lessening the risk of fungal diseases. With this in mind, it is also important to note that, regardless of the type of irrigation system that is practiced, it should be applied only to cherries that already possess a tough protective skin.
Managing Flowering and Pollination
Cherry orchard farmers should keep a close eye on the progress of flowering and pollination. Factors such as temperature and wind velocity have a significant impact on these processes, as they can affect the trees’ ability to attach pollen onto the ovary of the flowers.
In instances where there are pollination problems, the cherries may fail to produce fruits due to the lack of viable ovules. To avoid this situation, timely pollination is critical. As such, farmers should keep an eye on the tree and consider the implementation of supplementary pollination strategies such as the introduction of honey bees or the use of hand pollinating techniques.
Adjusting Nutrient Intake
Having an adequately balanced level of nutrients in the soil is also important when trying to prevent cherries from rotting on the tree. In general, nutrient levels vary, however, continuous monitoring and adjustments are required in order to maintain a healthy cherry tree.
To this end, it is suggested that orchards maximize the nutrient level in the tree by also adding them during flowering and fruit set. Doing so will help boost the tree’s metabolism as well as its ability to resist diseases, both of which are beneficial in avoiding the premature rotting of cherries on the tree.
Important Takeaways
In sum, the main causes of cherries rotting on the tree include the presence of diseases, bacteria, and fungi, as well as the lack of prevention practices being put into place. As such, in order to best avoid the current predicament that cherry orchard farmers are facing, farmers should consider the use of nets, irrigation systems, and adequate nutrients in the soil. Flowering and pollination should also be closely monitored, and pollination strategies should also be implemented if necessary.
Most importantly, it should be remembered that prevention is the best practice in order to avoid rotting cherries, as opposed to attempting to address the issue once it has already occurred. Taking the necessary steps to address these issues before they become too cumbersome is the key to preventing cherries from rotting prematurely on the tree.
Reducing Pests and Diseases
Destructive pests and diseases are another potential cause of rotting cherries on the tree. It is critical to be on the lookout for any pests that may be making their way onto the tree. Although some of these pests may be harmless, others can drastically impact the tree’s production and cause the premature rotting of cherries.
In order to reduce the risk of these pests and diseases, farmers are encouraged to create an environment that will make it difficult for these pests to penetrate and cause harm. This could include the implementation of an organic or biodynamic crop rotation plan to reduce the spread of diseases and pests, as well as introducing beneficial insects that can help naturally control pest numbers. Additionally, the effective use of fungicides, insecticides, and other preventative measures are highly recommended by experts.
Ripening Techniques
Before harvesting, ripening techniques should be considered to encourage the cherries to reach full maturity on the tree. These techniques involve the implementation of practices such as tilling, pruning, and careful grafting.
Tilling can be performed either mechanically or by hand, and aims to disturb the soil in order to create more oxygen in the soil and increase water uptake levels. Primarily, tilling is done to increase the rate at which cherries ripen, as well as to break up compaction and improving the overall environment of the orchard.
Pruning and careful grafting, on the other hand, are primarily done to shape the tree and encourage more efficient fruiting as well as better air movement through the tree. By doing this, the vigor of the trees and the pre-harvest ripening process can be increased, thus leading to reduced risk of rotting cherries on the tree before harvest.
Harvesting Readiness
Before harvesting, the readiness of the cherries must also be taken into account. As fruits mature, this can be monitored by regularly checking for color, sugar content, and seed coat toughness.
During the maturation process, the sugar content of the cherries can be monitored by tasting them and determining if they are sweet enough. The seed coat toughness is also an important indicator, as it provides an assessment of the overall readiness and ripeness levels of the fruit.
Additionally, fruits should not be harvested until they are a uniform color, as this will help to ensure that they can reach their full potential and not rot prematurely on the tree. However, if there is a large color variation of the fruits in the same tree, it is recommended that the differentiated ones be picked at the same time as the ones of uniform color, as this could potentially save them from rotting.
Sterilization Practices
Finally, it is essential to ensure that the orchard is being kept as clean and hygienic as possible. This includes conducting soil sterilization practices in order to reduce contamination from various diseases and pests that may affect the overall health of the tree.
To this end, sterilization can be done through a variety of methods such as incineration, steam treatment, chemical or thermal treatment, or a combination of these processes. All of these methods should be done in a timely manner as to not allow any accumulated dirt, weeds, and other harmful elements to cause permanent damage to the trees.
Putting into place the practices outlined above can go a long way in helping to achieve a successful harvest, while avoiding the risk of cherries rotting prematurely on the tree. Furthermore, having a detailed understanding of the different processes involved in cherry orchard maintenance will be beneficial in the long run, as it allows farmers to become more well-equipped in the management of the trees, thus preventing the potential rotting of cherries.
