The phenological phases characteristic of sweet cherry depend on both the environmental conditions and the growth conditions, which are in turn influenced by the cultivar/rootstock combination. Knowing them is an important factor for the correct varietal choice in the establishment of new cherry orchards.
Four cherry varieties (Ferrovia, Regina, Kordia, and Skeena) grafted onto two rootstocks (Gisela 6 and MaxMa 14) were the subject of a study conducted at the Fruit Growing Institute in Plovdiv (Bulgaria). The monitored phenological development phases included, among others, bud swelling, full flowering dates, anthesis duration, fruit ripening date, and the overall vegetation period.
Image 1: Phenological phases and average development dates in stages BBCH 51, 65, and 87.
In the Plovdiv region, in the studied cultivar/rootstock combinations, the first bud swelling phase (BBCH 51) occurred with the Kordia cultivar on MaxMa 14 on February 19, and the last with cv Regina on MaxMa 14 on February 24.
In the sweet cherry varieties grafted onto Gisela 6, a delay in the vegetation period was observed, ranging from 3 to 8 days. In trees grafted onto Gisela 6, a flowering delay of 2 days (Regina and Ferrovia) to 5 days (Kordia) was observed compared to those grafted onto MaxMa 14 rootstock.
The period from bud swelling (BBCH 51) to full flowering (BBCH 65) ranged from 43 to 53 days for the different cultivar/rootstock combinations.
From full flowering (BBCH 65) to fruit ripening (BBCH 87), the shortest period was reported for the varieties grafted onto rootstock Gisela 6, ranging from 3 to 11 days shorter compared to the same varieties grafted onto MaxMa 14 rootstock.
Image 2: Phenogram of the start, full, and end phenological phases.
The longest vegetative period, in both rootstocks, was recorded in the Skeena variety, with 289 days in trees grafted onto MaxMa 14 and 277 days in trees grafted onto Gisela 6, respectively. The shortest period was observed in the Kordia cultivar, with 276 and 270 days, respectively.
Source: Penka Filyova, Fruit Growing Institute – Plovdiv, 4000, Agricultural Academy – Sofia, Bulgaria, Study of the Influence of the Rootstock on the Phenological Development of the Sweet Cherry. Journal of Mountain Agriculture on the Balkans, Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Troyan 2024, 27 (6), 295-307. ISSN1311-0489.
Images: Penka Filyova; SL Fruit Service
15 Mar 2024
To talk about the new varieties making their debut in Chile, we contacted Lorena Pinto, product manager of ANA Chile. Among the new varieties still in the testing phase is Nipama, which will be placed 3 to 5 days before Nimba, which is harvested between weeks 44 and 45.
24 Oct 2025
A new telomere-to-telomere reference genome for the sweet cherry ‘Tieton’, developed in China’s Shandong region, marks a major advance in plant genomics and opens new paths for precision breeding, genetic analysis, and varietal innovation in fruit crops.
16 Jan 2026
B.J. Thurlby, who passed away at age 60, led the Washington State Fruit Commission for over 25 years. As a true ambassador for Northwest cherries, he championed research, exports and grower education, leaving a deep mark on the U.S. and international fruit industry.
16 Jan 2026
Frutas de Chile has revised its 2025/26 cherry export forecast down by 15% due to adverse weather, with shipments expected to reach 110 million boxes. To support sales, the Cherry Ice and Snow Festival launches in China, blending cherries, lifestyle and Lunar New Year culture.
