Blossoming in cherry trees is a crucial stage to ensure a good harvest. During this phase, the trees produce flowers that will eventually become fruits.
This physiological process usually occurs between August in the north and October in the south, during spring. However, it is important to note that the exact time may vary depending on the region and weather conditions.
During flowering, cherry trees should be exposed to warm, frost-free temperatures, as this stimulates the formation of flower buds. Once the buds bloom, the trees produce flowers, which play a key role in pollination.
Pollination is a crucial step in the flowering process. Cherry trees are primarily pollinated by bees, which carry pollen from one flower to another. Therefore, having a healthy population of bees in orchards will also be key to ensuring a higher chance of fruit formation.
Once the flowers are pollinated, fertilization occurs and the flowers begin to shed their floral remains. After this, small fruits will form that will gradually grow and mature until they become the cherries that will be harvested.
José Ignacio Tagle, from the southern region of Tavan Chile, explains the characteristics that this process should have during this season and the benefits of using RIP STOP and DAYQUARK products during this stage.
-What characteristics should flowering have to be optimal?
-“Ideally, flowering should be homogeneous and accompanied by warm temperatures so that the flower opening process is fluid. This will help with better pollination and future fruit setting. Low temperatures and rain directly affect pollination and, therefore, the following processes, such as fertilization, fruit setting and fruit set.
-What measures should be taken to achieve good flowering in cherry trees?
-“The main factors that influence flowering are not normally within our control, as they are environmental aspects that are beyond our control. For this reason, we must learn to live with climate variations. Having said that, it is very important to carry out management actions that are within our reach. To do this, we must begin working from the previous season. Mainly, we must start with a good post-harvest, integrating good fertilization and management of high temperatures in the induction and bud differentiation stages. This is a key point for the next season. There is also the application of dormancy breakers before flowering, which helps to concentrate it, which in the future will result in a more even setting and, therefore, a more homogeneous harvest. This is a very important factor in the face of labor shortage problems.
-And during flowering?
-“Nutritional contributions during the flowering period, such as the application of boron and zinc, will help improve the formation of the pollen tube, which will receive the pollen and then fertilize the future fruit. Growth regulators are also applied at this stage, which will help achieve a higher percentage of fruit set and retention. However, it is important to use them wisely, since overusing them can affect the production of the following season. Another strategy is to apply ethylene inhibitors to be able to lengthen the receptive period of the flower. This will allow us to have a greater possibility of pollination before the flower is disabled.”
-What does Tavan Chile recommend doing during flowering?
-“Tavan Chile recommends the application of RIPSTOP, a natural ethylene inhibitor product that inhibits the production of this hormone, which can cause premature flower drop, directly influencing production. This product is applied between 20-50% of flower, which will help extend the useful life of the flowers, thus having a greater chance of pollination. It is important to clarify that fruit setting will not ensure that the fruits complete their cycle within the tree. It is very common for fruit abortions to occur after setting and for that we must use other types of tools. For this case, we recommend applying DAYQUARK, formulated mainly based on natural phytohormones, which also contains boron and zinc in its base composition. This application can be done in 2 ways. One is to apply the total dose in 100% of flower, or to divide the dose into 2 applications, which are in 100% flower and then in jacket drop. The main objective of this application is the “tying” or retention of the fruits, along with helping to improve the size.”
-How is the Tavan Chile treatment different?
-“As they are products created with different objectives but for the same purpose, a very good synergy is produced between them. This allows the best possible effect to be achieved. At the same time, they are products with a lot of research development, which gives the producer a security of application. As they are biotechnologically based products, they do not add active ingredients or leave residues in the fruit, regardless of the moment in which they are applied. Another advantage is that, as they are organic molecules, they can be mixed with more products within the same formula.”
