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Fri, Jun 8, 12 at 14:10
| I'm going to give both of these a try and see if I have enough chill hours for both of them, along with a Lapins as a cross-pollinator for the Royal Rainier. I came across a very interesting article about Royal Rainier, mainly written for commercial growers about the variability of this cultivar when grown in various places. If I can find it again, I'll post a link to the article. But, I'm wondering if anyone is growing these varieties, and can offer up their experience with any of the three of them, but especially the Royal Rainier. Thanks in advance.
Patty S. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by home_grower SoCal Z9 S18 (My Page) on Sat, Jun 9, 12 at 4:50
| You know my opinion on the Royal Rainier. If you find the article I would like to read it. My Lapins is just a baby but is happy and leafing out very well. |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Sat, Jun 9, 12 at 10:46
| Home grower, you're the reason, actually, I'm going to give the Royal Rainier a try :-) That, and Fruitnut's 2011 Sweet Cherry Report, which was very helpful. Of course Fruitnut has a controlled climate going on, and my trees are out in the open, so that was the concern. I did find the article, so see the link, below. Where are you, exactly, in S. Calif? Your climate must be just right for Royal Rainier. After Tom's assistance in identifying my chill hours, which were much higher than what folks usually think of for Vista (which was no surprise to me at all, I knew we were pushing 700 ch here, we have some unusual weather conditions here in our wee little valley with an ocean breeze), so hoping all 3 of these cherry varieties will do well for me. I have the Royal Rainier and Craig's Crimson on Mazzard, not my favorite rootstock as I'll have to prune significantly to keep these trees under control, except maybe the Craig's, since it is supposed to be naturally dwarfed. The Lapins is on Colt, which does well here in my area, and is supposed to keep the trees a little dwarfed, but I still have to significantly prune my Minnie Royal and Royal Lee, which grow like weeds. Now, to find some space to squeeze these all in. I'm finally running out of room! Patty S. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Good Fruit Grower - Variety Variation
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| Patty S. Thanks for that link, very interesting. My limited experience with Royal Rainier has been very good. I have even less experience with Craig's Crimson. I had a few fruit several years ago and have another tree now. I do have three cherries that give me that sulfurous taste: Regina, Royal Edie, and Royal Helen. Terry at DWN brags highly of the later two. So I know what that article is talking about. I'd never plant another cherry on Mazzard. Partly because the tree gets too big but mostly because it takes several years longer to fruit than the dwarfing, precocious rootstocks. I've been very pleased with Gisela 5 and DWN new 3CR178. They are perfect for my greenhouse spaced about 3ft by 6ft and held to 6-7ft tall. |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Sat, Jun 9, 12 at 13:31
| I know. Sigh. I may end up trying to SOFT order Royal Rainier on Colt or better yet, 3CR178. I like New Root 1 (3CF18) because of it's much more dwarfing capabilities. I don't have any real significant soil issues, so not so much worried about soil compatibilities, but even on Colt here, I doubt I'm getting any dwarfing. If I am, I can only imagine a cherry tree here on Mazzard, my Felcos are shuddering at the thought. I have pruned over 6' of new growth total off my Minnie Royal and Royal Lee last year and this year. The only benefit I see on Colt for me is that I actually got a few fruits this year, and I planted my MR and RL last spring, so this is really their first year. That is exactly what I want - fruit trees under 8' with minimal topping. I'm a horrible pruner. I have no idea why I have "Pruning Phobia" for goodness sake. I prune the hell out of my roses and the concept is basically identical. Now, if I can just find a 'Sandra Rose' cherry on 3CR178, I'll be in heaven. Highly unlikely, though, as this is a commercial variety and usually only on Mazzard or Mahaleb. Fowler's Nursery up near Carla doesn't have any grafted for next year, unfortunately. I would be MORE than willing to graft my own but it's a patented variety, boo. Patty S. |
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| Patty: You can probably find Sandra Rose on Gisela 5 from Van Well or another WA nursery this next winter. I'll be looking for Sandra Rose, Cowiche, Van, those others we talked about, and probably a few more. I'm replanting half my greenhouse this winter. |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Sat, Jun 9, 12 at 15:16
| How weird, Steve. I just emailed Van Wells. My gosh, that's a huge undertaking for you. Wow. Gisela 5 or Krmsyk 6 would be other options. Can't wait to hear your line up for 2013. Let us know. Your results are so helpful to all the rest of us because of your "neutral" growing environment. And, you'll have to share more photos of your green house. I am always in awe. My green house is 8 x 12, lol!! And, I still haven't gotten the screening up to keep it under 130 degrees in the summer. Patty S. |
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- Posted by home_grower SoCal Z9 S18 (My Page) on Sun, Jun 10, 12 at 2:00
| Patty, Thanks for the link, it was an interesting read.It's cool my pictures helped influence you. I am up in the North part of Canyon Country, about 30 miles North of Downtown LA. We get hot summers 100+ for a few weeks and can get down below freezing a couple days per year. Chris |
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- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Sun, Jun 10, 12 at 10:36
| Okay, north of Santa Clarita, on the way to the Lancaster/Palmdale area. Very pretty up there. I would think cherries would do well there for sure. We'll see how these Royal Rainier do for me. Just wish they were not on Mazzard, but I'll see what I can get this bare root season, and if I can replace them on something more dwarfing, I'll pull them out and give them to my neighbor. Patty S. |
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- Posted by home_grower SoCal Z9 S18 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 11, 12 at 2:16
| My Royals are on Colt. My local nursery got them from Dave Wilson Nursery. I know they have a special order program that works with many local nurseries. One listed In San Diego: |
Here is a link that might be useful: Look in where to buy our trees.
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- Posted by hoosierquilt z10a/23 Vista Calif (My Page) on Mon, Jun 11, 12 at 2:58
| Yup, know about the SOFT program. I'll probably not choose Colt, but go with something more dwarfing due yo space limitations. Patty S. |
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