Sweet Heart cherry, is a collection of the experimental Summerland in Canada. Released in 1994. Variety known with the names 228 and Sumtare. Registered under the name Sumtare since the year 1998 in the varietal record of the European Union. The rights of the varietal registry will remain in effect until the year 2028, being necessary to be authorized for its propagation at the moment. The origin of this variety is a cross between varieties New Star (1987) and Van (1944).
Curiosities: The name Sweet Heart variety comes from the union of Sweet (Sweet-Sweetened) and Heart (Heart). We could translate it as a sugar heart.
Along with Lapins, it is one of the most planted varieties in Canada. Branches easily what helps a fast training. It needs to be harvested completely ripe to obtain fruits of good flavor. Currently, the production and planting of this variety in Spain is increasing.
Characteristics of the Sweet Heart variety
Flowering: Sweet Heart cherry is a self-fertile strain. It is a medium flowering cherry (first week of April). It belongs to Group III of pollinators.
Maturation: The variety of Cherry Sweet Heart , is very late ripening. Sumtare, is among the latest cherry varieties and is harvested after 36 days of Burlat. Being very late ripening, it is recommended to plant in late or mild summer areas.
Productivity: SweetHeart tree has very high productivity. It has a tendency to over-set, being necessary to regulate the excess load by pruning. Sweet Heart is a precocious and very productive variety, therefore dying rootstocks are not recommended.
Vigor and bearing of the tree: The Sweet Heart cherry tree is vigorous and of bearing erect. In spite of being vigorous and of erect bearing, this variety branches better than Lapins, being its simpler handling.
Chill hours: A study developed by IMIDA indicates cold needs of 649 hours below 7ºC or 1019 Cold Units according to the Richardson method (Utah).
Sweet Heart cherry, morphological characteristics
Size: Sweet Heart cherry, has a caliber or size thick. When mature, Sweet Heart has reached a size of 28-29mm.
Form: The variety of cherry Sweet Heart presents rounded shape.
Skin color: SweetHeart cherry, shows a bright red color during collection.
Pulp color: Sweet Heart cherries have pulp color Red.
Taste: The variety of Cherry Sweet Heart, has good taste. If harvested before reaching maturity, Sweet Heart would have little or little pleasant flavor.
Firmness: Sweet Heart cherries are firm. It has a good level of post-harvest stamina and is a good cherry for transport.
Because of its late harvest, high productivity, good size and firmness, Sweet Heart is one of the most profitable cherries that exist for late areas.
Cracked Resistance: Sweet Heart cherry variety, has good cracking, cracking or splitting resistance. Other sources classify it as having medium cracking resistance. Although the resistance to cracking is not optimal, being a very late cherry, it is less likely to suffer damage by rain.
Cracked area.
Peduncle Length: Sweet Heart, has the peduncle long.
Does not release the peduncle at maturity.
Positive aspects: Very good productive capacity. It is self-fertile. Very productive and fast entry into production. Good for transportation. Very late collection.
Negative aspects: Need to regulate productions by pruning to maintain the caliber.
Recommended reading
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Warning
A significant part of the information, comes from Spanish research organizations. The behavior of cherry tree varieties may be different depending on the growing place.