Stefano Lugli - SL Fruit Service (IT)
Chair of Cherry Times technical-scientific committee
The four varieties of the Final® series derive from a breeding programme conducted by Peter Stoppel in Kressbronn (Germany) on a population of seedlings obtained by crossing an old native variety, Spate von Wedler, and a self-fertile variety of Canadian origin, Sweetheart®.
The aim of the project was to obtain new late-ripening varieties, after Regina, to be proposed as possible alternatives to the Canadian varieties, e.g. Sweetheart® and Staccato®, varietal types that are poorly adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the cherry growing area in the Bodensee.
Image 1 - Peter Stoppel
The Final® varieties were presented in 2019 at the International Cherry Symposium in Vignola (Italy). The salient and most interesting traits of the four sisters marketed under the Cerasina® brand are, at least on paper, the extra-long ripening time, the high productivity and the high quality standards of the cherries.
Here are the video and the english article of Peter Stoppels' contribution at ICS 2019 in Vignola.
Image 2 – New Final® series rootstocks
Thanks to an exclusive contract signed four years ago with Cerasina® and valid for North-West Italy, Sanifutta, a Piedmontese company that is a member of Op Joinfruit, wanted to extend the variety offer in the late harvest period, so as to continue after Kordia-Regina and for at least three to four weeks the offer of high-quality cherries.
Sanifrutta's goal is to reach a total of 70 to 80 hectares planted with late harvest cherries in the next 4 to 5 years, with a volume of approximately 1000 to 1200 tonnes per year of product.
The four self-fertile varieties of the Final® series ripen at different times and with differences in days to Regina varying from one environment to another and from one year to another. For the current season (2023) in Piedmont the harvest of Final 10.4 started on 28 June (+10 days Regina)..
This is followed by Final 11.3 (+14 days Regina), Final 12.1 (+17 days Regina) and Final 13.1 (+23 days Regina).
The main characteristics of the Final® series varieties are summarised below.
Image 3 – Final® 10.4
Image 4 – Final® 11.3
Image 5 – Final® 12.1
Image 6 – Final® 13.1
09 Feb 2026
Sweet cherry nutrition management in Chile is crucial for reserve accumulation supporting spring growth. Post-harvest applications of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and micronutrients enhance photosynthesis, tree vigor, fruit set and overall fruit quality.
21 Jan 2026
Cherries consumption in Italy reflects broader FMCG trends, with declining penetration but rising average spending driven by higher prices. Consumers buy smaller quantities per trip yet shop more often, showing loyalty to this premium seasonal fruit despite inflation.
09 Mar 2026
Chile’s cherry industry may undergo major restructuring: with over 80,000 hectares planted and 114 million boxes exported, heavy reliance on the Chinese market is pushing a possible reduction of up to 30,000 hectares while focusing on quality, fruit size and stronger varieties.
09 Mar 2026
Negli Stati Uniti cani addestrati stanno mostrando grande efficacia nell’individuare la little cherry disease nei ciliegi prima dei sintomi. Dopo i frutteti, la ricerca si sposta nei vivai di Washington per migliorare la diagnosi precoce e contenere la diffusione.
