North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

Title: Message

I’ve really liked Rainiers fresh off the tree, and I think the idea of using yellow or even blush cherries to thwart the birds will work fine.  I don’t want Randy to think he’s going to lose out on flavor by planting a flavorful gold or blush cherry.  Flavor will depend on the growing conditions and the palate.  I don’t argue that you find them milder; there are some cherry-red cherries I absolutely love, and I’ve certainly had some blush cherries that taste a little watery compared to some rich reds.  I’m saying you won’t necessarily know until you grow, but I think the overall flavor/not-having-to-net experience would be rewarding.   

 

Should someone want less netting problems with red cherries, you could try summer-pruning strategically keep trees smaller and easier to net, or grafting onto your blush tree so you can wrap the red-fruit-bearing-branches with netting rather than net the whole tree.  As far as pie cherries, some of the bush species may do well, especially (in my palate’s opinion) when you combine a few varieties, including bush cherries, sweet cherries, chokecherries, red currants, etc.  Bush cherries are very easy to net.

 

I agree the gold cherries don’t look as good frozen.  I think they look better canned, but cook better from frozen. 

 

~ Stephen

 

From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Dianne Stephany
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:44 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] A golden cherry idea

 

Birds leave our golden (Ranier and Van) cherries alone; even after they have completely stripped the wild red cherries off the other tree.

I don't know your varieties, but in general they have a much milder cherry taste and are sweet. They do make a good wine, though again it doesn't have much of a cherry taste. I tried freezing them- awful in my opinion- brown grey color and not much taste. My husband said they were fine. I have mixed them in with red currants to make cherry-red currant jam which is very nice.  

Dianne Stephany in Rochester NY 

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