Anyone playing with low chill cherry varieties here in PHX?
DD

I've seen these at MVG in Tucson and so far I have resisted the urge.
I'm still really skeptical on how they would do here.
I also have no idea where I would be able to fit in one more tree.
Unless... One of my non-producers becomes wood for the smoker.

A guy at the rare fruit growers was saying his produced this year for the first time. I dont know any more than that, so was just wondering. If anyone has them or can offer advice, Id love to hear it.
DD

I have a barbadoes cherry - given to me by a wonderful person in our circle - it has grown to about 7' tall and blooms almost constantly. Gives me little sweet cherries. I love this tree and really appreciate being given it!

Susie

I have a Cherry of the Rio Grande and its about the same height but has never bloomed.
Looks like I picked the wrong type.

I could only find two low chill cherries that *MIGHT* fruit here in Phoenix.

Minnie Royal and Royal Lee. Both require 300-400 hours of chill time. On average we only get 350 here in phx.

alan

Barbados cherry huh? I need to look that one up. I wonder if I get enough chill hours out where I am at??

I think Minnie Royal and Royal Lee were the varieties that were being investigated. Just wondered if anyone else had any experience with them. If my nectarine doesn't start yielding better in the next year or two, its going to get replaced and I'm considering the above cherries.
DD

As I understand it you have to buy both though. You can't just buy one cherry tree, because they must have a cross pollinator, as I understand it. Well, if one Cherry gets enough chill to bloom, and the other doesn't, your still kinda up a creek without a paddle. Marie, I would think you would have plenty of chill up there for two cherry trees. Much cooler in the winter than down in the valley, isn't it? This is Marie right? I'm having trouble getting use to your new nic.

alan

Yep it is I :o)

I ended up getting the Minnie Royal and Royal Lee and mine bloomed at different times. They were about two weeks apart from each other.
I do have one lone cherry on one of the trees.
I'm a little concerned with how they will be able to stand the summer heat because they sure didnt like it when it got up to 95 this last weekend.
Also got a Craig's Crimson and its really slow going with that one.
Its just now starting to push leaves and flower.