Van cherry

Van is a cultivar of cherry originating from Canada.

Van cherry
Genus	Prunus
Species	Prunus avium
Hybrid parentage	Empress Eugenie × open pollination
Cultivar	Van
Breeder	A. J. Mann
Origin	Summerland, British Columbia, Canada

Cultivar history

The Van cultivar originated from open pollination of an "Empress Eugenie" tree.[1][2] It was developed in Summerland, British Columbia at the Summerland Research Station. The cross was made in 1936, selected in 1942, and introduced in 1944, with the resulting tree named in honor of horticulturalist J. R. Van Haarlen.[3] The Van cherry was one of the parent varieties of the Lapins cherry.[4]

Tree characteristics

The Van cherry tree is hardy, vigorous, and a heavy bearer,[5] but overloading can cause it to produce small fruit.[6] Like most cherry varieties, Van is self-incompatible; it can be pollinated by many other cherry varieties, including Bing, Montmorency, and Stella, among others.[7] Van blooms about 3 days before Bing.[2]

Fruit characteristics

The Van cherry is a mid-season producer, ripening about 3 days before Bing.[2] Its fruits are medium-sized, with dark red flesh and black skin, and sweet.[3]

Growing regions

Apart from Canada and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, Van is also grown in Australia.[8]

References

1. "Cherries: Botany, Production, and Uses" pg. 83
2. WSU Tree Fruit: Van Washington State University
3. UC Davis Foundation Plant Services Prunus Encyclopedia
4. "Last Bite–From refugee to cherry breeder | Good Fruit Grower". goodfruit.com. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
5. USU Extension Utah State University
6. British Columbia Tree Fruit Production Guide
7. WSU Tree Fruit: Sweet Cherry Pollination
8. Cherry Growers Australia