How to Grow Rainier Cherry Trees
Rainier cherries are the standard variety in the blush category. They are yellow and red, 7/8 inch wide with firm fruit. They are extremely winter hardy and, according to Cornell University, very productive. While Bing cherries harvest mid season, Rainier varieties are ready for picking six to eight days later. Rainiers command a premium price over the dark red types.
Dig a hole 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Set the cherry tree's roots in the hole and partially re-fill it with the removed soil. Push down lightly on the soil. Keep the graft union about 3 inches above the ground level. Pull up on the plant gently, if needed, to keep it at the right level.
- Rainier cherries are the standard variety in the blush category.
- Keep the graft union about 3 inches above the ground level.
Fill the hole completely with soil and tamp down to remove air pockets. Give each tree 2 gallons of water to get it established. Put a 12-inch cylinder of hardware cloth around the base of the tree trunk to keep rabbits away.
Water the tree every two weeks unless it has rained at least 1 inch since the last watering.
Keep the area around the cherry trees weed-free to a radius of 3 to 4 feet. Spread herbicides but keep the chemicals 2 feet from the trunk. Alternately, pull weeds out by hand. The weeds compete with the cherry tree for water and nutrients.
- Fill the hole completely with soil and tamp down to remove air pockets.
- Spread herbicides but keep the chemicals 2 feet from the trunk.
Give the trees a nitrogen food such as urea or ammonium nitrate two weeks after planting then again six weeks after planting. You can also use a complete blend with a ratio like 10-10-10. Give each tree 0.05 pounds of actual nitrogen. Put the food 6 to 8 inches from the trunk to keep the Rainier cherries from getting damaged. Fertilize Rainier cherry trees with nitrogen annually.
Feed My 'rainier' Cherry Trees?
A "Rainier" cherry tree grows 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, making it a manageable size for the home garden. It livens the landscape in spring with its delicate flowers and in fall with its bronze and golden leaves. Broadcast about 2 1/2 pounds of 10-10-10 under a mature tree's drip line and scratch it into the mulch; use half the amount for trees under 5 years old. Don't be tempted to add more fertilizer to young trees to speed up growth. If you're starting a new "Rainier," improve the soil with one-third garden compost, well-rotted farm manure or a mix of both. Plant in spring or early fall. If a fertilized "Rainier" doesn't perform well, the problem might not be a lack of nutrients.
- Give the trees a nitrogen food such as urea or ammonium nitrate two weeks after planting then again six weeks after planting.
- Put the food 6 to 8 inches from the trunk to keep the Rainier cherries from getting damaged.
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References
- Cornell University: Cherry Varieties in New York State
- Oregon State University: Sweet Cherry Cultivars
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Cherries in Virginia
- Sunset: Cherry (Sweet)
- Seattle Pi: Rainier Cherries Are the Peak of the Crop
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Growing Cherries in Virginia
Writer Bio
Based in New York State, Kelly Shetsky started writing in 1999. She is a broadcast journalist-turned Director of Marketing and Public Relations and has experience researching, writing, producing and reporting. She writes for several websites, specializing in gardening, medical, health and fitness, entertainment and travel. Shetsky has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Marist College.
