When you think of growing cherries in Florida, you probably think of acerola cherries or perhaps Surinam cherries… not sweet northern cherries!
But… there may be hope!
As I wrote before, I’m working on growing cherries in Florida… and growing almonds in Florida… while keeping track of my results.
On March 28th, I planted two more trees.
Cherry Test Varieties:
1 Minnie Royal Cherry, Semi-Dwarf
1 Royal Lee Cherry, Dwarf
Tree Source:
Test Location:
North Central Florida; Latitude: 29, Longitude: -82
Plant Date:
3/28/14
Notes:
Trees were shipped on 3/18 and arrived bareroot on 3/25. Both were planted 3 days later. Unfortunately, the trees were already budded out and both were water-stressed at the time of planting, so there’s some worry about their survival. Both trees roughly 5′ tall. Planted in sand.
Light dappled shade, Southeastern exposure. In order to maintain soil moisture, both trees have hoses at their bases constantly dripping a small amount of water.
Planters: David Goodman and Democritus “Jeffrey” Xenophon
III.
Two of the previously planted cherry trees have not leafed out yet; however, all of the almonds have. Looking good so far…
UPDATE: For a further update on growing cherries in Florida, check out this post.
9 responses to “Growing Cherries in Florida and Growing Almonds in Florida”
Those two varieties grew like crazy when I planted them last year. They got almost 10 feet high the first year, and I did get flowers this spring. They're also shaped narrow at the base, which lets the moisture drip off them to help reduce cracking.
Wow – fantastic. Thank you for sharing. I'm hopeful on mine… the wilting has stopped, they lost some leaves and now they're holding even.
So exciting! I'll trade you olives and pomegranates for almonds and cherries in a couple of years, okay?
You're on.
And I'll do you one better: I'll give you dibs on some of the first round of Florida-planted cherry and almond seedlings.
The first pits I get are getting planted.
Hi, David. I recently found your site and am totally interested as my husband and I are setting up a sustainable home in the Florida panhandle, about ten miles north of the coast. I would really love to know what happened to the cherries and almonds, I am hoping to grow both. Any chance of a followup?
Hi Karen. Welcome.
Here’s the update:
http://www.thesurvivalgardener.com/update-growing-cherries-almonds-florida/
I live in Umatilla. What are the chances of my success?
How close in latitude are we to you?
I live in Citrus County and am considering getting a Royal Crimson and either a Minnie Royal or Royal Lee. Any suggestions? Thanks so much! I love your posts!
I would get all three for the best chances. They’re not huge trees and they can be pruned. GrowOrganic.com has bare-root trees for sale in the winter for spring shipment.