“This season in Chile, we have had a sufficient accumulation in terms of quality and quantity of chilling hours (HF), so the cherries will require less thermal accumulation (GDH) to break dormancy,” says Lorena Pinto from A.N.A. Chile.
Lorena Pinto Almeida, product manager for Stone Fruits and Cherries at A.N.A. Chile, shares images of the cv. Sweet Aryana (d) PA1UNIBO on the left and Santina on the right, taken on September 11, 2024, in a commercial orchard located in El Huique, Santa Cruz, VI Region, Chile.
“This season in Chile, we have had a sufficient accumulation of quality and quantity of chilling hours (HF), so the cherries will need less thermal accumulation (GDH) to break dormancy,” Pinto emphasizes.
She adds that “last season there was a low quality and quantity of chilling hours, so the temperature required for bud break was higher, which especially affected the early varieties.”
Unfortunately, last season’s spring was quite cold, which delayed the harvest of many varieties by up to two weeks.” The requirements in terms of chilling hours and spring temperature (growing degree days GDD) are specific to each variety. Here are some charts from a study conducted by the Center for Stone Fruits comparing the current season with the previous one for two traditional cherry varieties, Santina and Lapins,” she concludes.
Source: Diario Frutícola
Image: Diario Frutícola
13 Jul 2026
Trials in Tasmania show that Eristalis tenax hoverflies, used alongside honeybees, can improve fruit set and sweet cherry yields. Active in cool and wet weather, these alternative pollinators could support more reliable orchards and reduce risks linked to varroa mite.
04 Jun 2024
‘It is crucial to implement water management measures and promote sustainable practices to ensure long-term sustainability,’ says Víctor Muñoz, ‘actions that will strengthen water security and agricultural productivity and solid support for economic development.
15 Sep 2026
Australian cherry production is forecast to fall 15% in 2026/27, to 17,000 metric tons after a winter with fewer chill hours. Exports are expected at 4,000 MT, while dry conditions and high irrigation costs could add pressure for growers in Victoria and New South Wales.
15 Sep 2026
A three-year survey of 222 orchards in O’Higgins, Chile, validates a rapid Leaf Disc Assay to identify sweet cherry cultivars with lower susceptibility to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae, supporting faster and more sustainable breeding decisions today.
