Cherry Tree Biology
Cherry trees are one of the most popular fruit of our times and a source of nourishment for many generations. People have long since appreciated their sweet flavour, deep purple-red colour and juicy texture, but what we might not know is the fascinating biology of the cherry tree. The cherry tree is an angiosperm or flowering tree, meaning it produces seeds that go through a process of fertilization and pollination, and in the end, a cherry that grows at the end of the stalk is produced. The structure of a cherry tree is quite unique, from its narrow trunk and mottled crown, to its world-renowned colorful fruit.
A cherry tree occurs in a variety of forms and shapes, where the very shape of its fruit can vary depending on the family in which it belongs. The seed, or pit, of the cherry is the genetic material that will form the next generation of cherry trees, however it contains only partial fertility. In other words, a cherry pit alone cannot germinate and produce an exact copy of the mother cherry tree, but instead, some form of genetic mutation will occur in the next generation as the seed reproduces itself, providing an inherent plasticity to the cherry species.
While there are many different varieties of cherry trees and it can become quite difficult trying to identify them all, a common identifier among many species is that all cherry trees bear the same type of fruit. The classic cherry fruit is small, round and red or black. The fleshy sticky seed, the cherry pit, is located in the center with white or yellow centers. The deep red colour of the fruit itself is indicative of its high antioxidant properties, beneficial for overall health and wellbeing.
Can a Cherry Pit Grow a Cherry Tree?
The answer to this question, is simply unable to germinate on its own and will not grow a cherry tree. A process known as pollination is needed to be fruited and full-fill its reproductive cycle. If a cherry pit is left to its own devices, it will never grow into a cherry tree. The cherry pit does contain some genetic material that is able to potentially germinate and grow a cherry tree, but it does not have the capability to do so on its own. To understand why this is the case, it’s useful to know some basics about the scientific process of pollination, commonly undertaken by honeybees, bumblebees and other pollinating insects.
When an insect, such as a bee visits a cherry blossom, they carry pollen between the male and female parts of the flower, in order to ensure a successful fertilization process takes place. This then results in a cherry pit, containing a small amount of genetic material, which the insect will carry away with it. For the next generation of cherry trees to form, a seedling needs to be planted in soil, and then over a period of several years, the cherry tree will eventually mature and blossom.
Although cherry pits themselves will not grow cherry trees, instead, the need for outside help to kick-start the process is often necessary. The planting of cherry seeds has been long practiced in agriculture, as a way to increase the abundance of cherry trees and fruit production. This is due to the genetic variation that cherry pits posses, and the potential for new cherry tree varieties to be produced from the planting and pollination of a cherry pit. Therefore, the planting of cherry pits, is certainly a viable way to create a new cherry tree, with the outside help of bees or other pollinators.
Harvesting and Planting Cherry Seeds
Having understood the science behind how cherry seeds can be used to produce a new cherry tree, it is also important to understand the necessary steps to safely harvest and store cherry pits, as well as the best practices to plant them to ensure a higher rate of success. To harvest a healthy cherry pit, it is advised to pick cherries that are deep red in colour and that have a high sugar content, as this will indicate the health and quality of the cherry. Fruit picked too late will result in a sub-par seed and, thus, an inferior seedling. After the cherry seed has been harvested, the outer fleshy part that surrounds the pit, should be scraped off but manually or with a sharp knife and then fully dried, in order for it to be kept in storage.
When it comes time to plant the cherry seed, it is a good idea to clean the pit to remove any bacteria and fungi that could have developed on the surface of the cherry seed. It is recommended to then wrap the pit in a layer of wet newspaper and to place the parcel in a dry, cold, and dark space such as a refrigerator or other cool environment. This will cause the cherry seed to break the dormancy period and it will then be ready to be planted. Finally, the cherry pit should be placed in soil that is lightly moist, and it should be placed in a warm sunny spot, to begin the natural process of producing a cherry tree.
Soil Preparation and Cultivation
In order to ensure that a cherry tree grows successfully and receives adequate amounts of essential nutrients and minerals, it is important to prepare the soil before planting the cherry seed. To do this, it is advised to fertilize the soil with a nutrient-rich fertilizer, such as manure or compost and to incorporate good soil texture with a spade or rake. Good soil texture will help the cherry tree to establish an adequate root system by providing an area for water and nutrients to be absorbed and encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria to be present in the soil. It is also important to keep the soil slightly moist, not wet, as cherry trees require consistent but not excessive moisture levels to be healthy and successfully grow.
An important way of caring for the cherry tree is to provide it with adequate sunlight. A cherry tree should be exposed to about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, in order to blossom beautifully, produce healthy fruit and to grow strong. Although sunlight is required to fuel cherry trees with energy, it is important to keep in mind not to over-irrigate in warmer climates, as to prevent the cherry tree from losing too much moisture and nutrients. With the right soil quality and sunlight, a cherry tree can provide families with an abundance of delicious cherries!
Propagation and Grafting
Propagation and grafting are two ways of producing more cherry trees from existing cherry trees. Grafting involves taking a cutting from a mature cherry tree and grafting it onto a seedling rootstock. This way, the rootstock takes on the characteristics of the grafted tree and produces more copies in a fast, efficient and highly economical way. On the other hand, propagation is yet another way of producing more cherry trees, but with a more natural form of reproduction. This is done by taking a cutting of a desirable cherry tree and planting it in soil to form a new cherry tree, or by taking a cherry pit and planting it to form a new cherry tree.
The two techniques can be used together, to produce a desired cherry tree with a particular characteristic and flavor. In conclusion, when a cherry pit is found, it cannot be used to simply germinate a cherry tree, as it does not contain the full genetic material or fertility required to do so. However, with the help of other forms of pollination and the practice of planting cherry seeds, propagation and grafting, a cherry pit does have the potential to grow into a new cherry tree.
Cherry Varieties
Cherry trees have many varieties, from the deeply coloured, classic tart cherry to the sweeter, but less intense Bing cherry. There are many cherry varieties available to choose from,depending on the soil conditions, climate and size of space you’d like to grow them in. Common varieties includethe Balaton, Montmorency, Sweetheart, Rainier, Black Tart and Royal Ann. The Balaton is an heirloom tart cherry, with a very sweet flavor and an intense dark red colour, perfect for baking and making jams and pies. The Royal Ann is a sweeter variety with a yellow flesh, ideal to enjoy as a snack. While the Sweetheart is a cherry with a deep red flesh, with sweet and spicy flavors that’s great for pie-making.
Gardening and cultivating your own cherry tree can be a rewarding task and a great way to enjoy a variety of cherry fruits, particularly in climates with a long growing season. It can be quite possible to create your own mini cherry orchard, with the help of a cherry pit!
Pests and Diseases
Although it may sound like a challenge to grow a cherry tree from scratch, with the right know-how and proper maintenance, success can be achieved. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are certain pests and diseases that can affect the growth of a cherry tree. This includes cherry leaf spot, caused by a fungus that can spot and defoliate the leaves of a cherry tree. Cherry leaf curl, caused by a virus that infects the cherry tree and stunts the growth of its leaves and some pests, such as whiteflies, aphids and caterpillars, can all affect the health of the cherry tree.
Controlling pests and diseases requires knowledge and understanding of their possible effects. Appropriate pest and disease treatments need to be implemented depending on the state of the tree, such as pruning or spraying insecticides or fungicides. The best way to protect a cherry tree from disease is to provide it with proper fertilization, good air circulation and to practice effective pest control management.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is not possible for a cherry pit to simply germinate and produce a cherry tree on its own. The process of pollination is necessary for a cherry tree to reproduce, otherwise, the cherry pit simply does not have the genetic material or fertility to do so on its own. Cherry pits can however be planted, in the right conditions and with the help of pollination and other propagation techniques such as grafting, in order to produce a new cherry tree. With the right preparation, knowledge and maintenance, anyone can grow their own cherry tree, and enjoy its sweet and juicy fruits.
