Van cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Van cherry |
|
|---|---|
| Genus | Prunus |
| Species | Prunus avium |
| Hybrid parentage | Empress Eugenie × open pollination |
| Cultivar | Van |
| Breeder | A. J. Mann |
| Origin | Summerland, British Columbia, Canada |
Van is a special type of cherry that first came from Canada.
Contents
The Story of the Van Cherry
The Van cherry started from a tree called "Empress Eugenie." Its flowers were pollinated by pollen from other cherry trees nearby. This happened naturally, without people choosing which pollen to use.
This new cherry was grown in Summerland, British Columbia, at the Summerland Research Station. Scientists there made the first cross in 1936. They chose the best new tree in 1942. The Van cherry was then introduced to farmers in 1944. It was named after a plant expert named J. R. Van Haarlen. The Van cherry also helped create another popular cherry called the Lapins cherry.
What Makes a Van Cherry Tree Special?
Van cherry trees are very strong and grow well. They can handle different weather conditions. These trees also produce lots of cherries. Sometimes, if they make too many cherries, the fruit might be a bit smaller.
How Van Cherry Trees Make Fruit
Most cherry trees, including the Van cherry, cannot make fruit all by themselves. This means they need pollen from a different type of cherry tree to grow cherries. This process is called pollination.
Many other cherry types can help pollinate the Van cherry. These include the Bing, Montmorency, and Stella cherries. The Van cherry tree usually blooms, or opens its flowers, about three days before the Bing cherry. This timing is important for good pollination.
What Do Van Cherries Taste Like?
Van cherries are ready to pick in the middle of the cherry season. They usually ripen about three days before Bing cherries. The fruits are a medium size. They have dark red flesh inside and shiny black skin outside. Van cherries are known for being very sweet and tasty!
Where Do Van Cherries Grow?
You can find Van cherries growing in many places. They are popular in Canada, where they first came from. They also grow well in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. Beyond North America, Van cherries are also grown in Australia.
