Growing Cherries – Crop Nutrition 101

Cherries ideal conditions include well-drained slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6-7, good fertility and 6-8 hours of sun a day.

• Cherries prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH levels ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Soil pH influences nutrient availability to cherry trees, with pH levels outside this range potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies.
• Higher pH soils (7-8) need iron. In alkaline (high pH) soils, iron tends to become less soluble and therefore less accessible to plant roots, leading to iron deficiency chlorosis, stunted growth, reduced fruit set, and overall poor health and productivity.
• Cherries generally prefer temperate climates with distinct seasons, where they can experience a period of winter dormancy followed by spring flowering and summer fruit development.
• Cherries benefit from areas with sufficient airflow to minimize the risk of fungal diseases, making locations with good air circulation ideal for their growth.
• Cherry trees require consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season, particularly during periods of fruit development and ripening. Adequate irrigation is essential to ensure optimal moisture levels in the root zone, as drought stress can lead to reduced fruit quality and yield.

Key Nutrients:

In commercial cherry production in the US, the most limiting nutrients are typically nitrogen (N) and potassium (K). Calcium is also an essential micronutrient and key for high quality yields.

• Nitrogen is essential for overall tree growth, leaf development, and fruit set
• Potassium plays a crucial role in fruit quality, yield, and tree vigor
• Calcium contributes to cell wall structure and strength, leading to firmer fruit and reducing the risk of disorders like fruit cracking and blossom end rot.

Ensuring adequate supplies of these nutrients through fertilization is essential for maintaining healthy cherry trees and optimizing fruit production. Because specific nutrient limitations may vary depending on factors such as soil type, orchard management practices, and regional variations in soil fertility, we recommend regular soil testing and plant tissue analysis. This can help identify nutrient deficiencies or imbalances and guide appropriate fertilization strategies to address the specific needs of cherry trees in commercial orchards.

Role of Nutrients:  

Cherry size, firmness, color, stem retention, brix (sugar), and shelf life/resistance to mechanical damage are important quality parameters that nutrition and irrigation influence. 

 See how different nutrients can influence your harvest. 

+ = improving 

– = decreasing 

+/- = different results, depending on the rate of nutrient applied 

Yield and Quality for nutrients at right rate: N++, P+, K++, Mg+, Ca++, S+ 

Nutrient Requirements:  

Nutrient balance is key to quality yields.  

N = 3 to 14.4 lbs per ton of fruit  

P = 1.5 lbs per ton of fruit  

K = 4.2 to 6 lbs per ton of fruit  

Mg = 0.2 to 0.4 lbs per ton of fruit  

Ca = 0.3 to 0.4 lbs per ton of fruit  

• N demand in sweet cherry ranges between 10 to 14.4 lbs of N per ton of fruit (Geisseler, 2016, adapted from Fallahi et al. 1993, Silva and Rodriguez, 1995). 
• Calcium uptake is maximized in the spring after full bloom, so Granular Polysulphate in the spring would be a good dry fertilizer choice along tree lines for yield and quality benefits.  
• Calcium is part of the cell wall and key to cell wall strength. 
• Calcium deficiency has been associated to fruit cracking and firmness in sweet cherry (Demarty et al., 1984, Christensen, 1996).  
• Fruit with higher levels of Ca have reduced cuticle permeability (Christensen, 1996) and greater cell wall strength (Glenn and Poovaiah, 1989). 
• Excess N and vegetative growth, shade, stress, etc can influence calcium movement into the fruit. 
• If Ca levels in the leaf are deficient, fruit Ca will likely be deficient, but adequate Ca levels in the leaves, do not always imply adequate levels in the fruit (B. Sallato, WSU). 

Growing cherries in the US

Across all cherry growing regions in the US, we see common fertility and nutrient management challenges. While these vary depending on climate, soil type, operation, and varietal, there are some common themes:

1. Nitrogen and Potassium Deficiencies: Cherry trees have high nitrogen and potassium requirements for optimal growth and fruit production. Maintaining adequate levels of these nutrients in the soil can be challenging, especially in orchards with high crop demand and nutrient leaching in sandy soils. Using granular, gradual-release fertilizers like Polysulphate combined with foliar or fertigation-applied water-soluble fertilizers like Nova PULSE, Nova FLOW, and Agrolution pHLow can offer growers a well-rounded and integrated approach to nutrient management. Preventing and responding to deficiencies quickly.
2. pH Imbalances: Cherries prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH levels (6.0 to 7.0). Soil pH extremes can affect nutrient availability and uptake by cherry trees, leading to deficiencies or toxicities. ICLs acidifying fertilizers like Nova PeKacid and Agrolution pHLow are effective solutions to not only remedy pH imbalances in soil but also manage irrigation water more effectively.
3. Iron Deficiency Chlorosis: In high-pH soils, iron availability to cherry trees decreases, leading to iron deficiency chlorosis. This condition manifests as yellowing of leaves due to insufficient chlorophyll production. Addressing iron deficiency in cherry orchards can be challenging and may require soil amendments or foliar applications of iron chelates.
4. Calcium and Magnesium Deficiencies: Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients for cherry tree growth and fruit quality. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to disorders such as fruit cracking. Balancing calcium and magnesium levels in the soil can be challenging, particularly in acidic or sandy soils. Try incorporating Polysulphate alongside foliar or fertigation-applied fertilizers like Agrolution High K CalMag 11-6-20 +6Ca +1.5Mg and Nova FLOW.
5. Fertilizer Application Timing and Rates: Achieving optimal fertilizer application timing and rates is crucial for meeting cherry tree nutrient requirements while minimizing nutrient losses through leaching or runoff. Proper fertilization strategies based on soil testing, plant tissue analysis, and orchard management practices are essential for maintaining nutrient balance and optimizing fruit production. Fertigation and foliar applications, for example, allow growers to control two variables at one time: the amount of nutrients applied and the timing of application. Incorporating water-soluble fertilizers or liquids allows growers to provide a boost of fertility at a specific point and in a precise dose at a specific time. Likewise, incorporating granular fertilizers with a gradual release can help reduce leaching and tie-up and ensure nutrients are there in the soil when roots need them.
6. Water Management: Over-irrigation or under-irrigation can affect nutrient availability and uptake by cherry trees. Proper water management practices, such as irrigation scheduling and efficient water application methods, are critical for maintaining soil moisture levels and nutrient availability in cherry orchards. In addition, water quality has a huge impact on orchard productivity. Applying less-than-desirable water can have significantly negative effects.

Addressing these fertility and nutrient management challenges requires monitoring, soil testing, and tailored fertilization strategies to ensure optimal cherry tree health, fruit quality, and yield in commercial orchards. Just ask us, and we’re happy to help.