Cherry (Prunus avium) MEELIKA

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) 'Meelika'

A proven Estonian variety with high productivity and a spicy flavor.

'Meelika' is a proven Estonian sweet cherry variety, prized for its reliability, high productivity, and good disease resistance. The tree has a medium growth habit and is partially self-fertile. The fruits are medium-sized, nearly black when fully ripe, with dark red, soft, and juicy flesh. The taste is unique, sweet, and spicy. The stone separates easily from the flesh. In Estonia, it is included in the recommended assortment for both commercial and home gardens, which attests to its qualities.

Main advantages of the variety:

• High and reliable productivity.
• Unique spicy flavor: Sweet and juicy fruits with dark juice.
• Partially self-fertile: Will set fruit without a pollinator, although one will increase the yield.
• Good disease resistance.
• Easily separable stone.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Estonia
• Breeders: Kalju Kask, Johan Eichfeld
• Origin: A seedling from open pollination of the ‘Leningradskaya Chornaya’ variety (1955)
• Year of registration: 2009

Variety Characteristics

Tree

Growth is of medium vigor, with a spherical crown. It is partially self-fertile. Suitable pollinators to increase the yield include varieties like ‘Leningradskaya Chornaya’ or ‘Dönissen's Yellow’.

Fruit

• Size and shape: Medium-sized, round-oval.
• Color: Black-red to black.
• Flesh: Dark red, soft, juicy.
• Juice: Dark red.
• Taste: Sweet, spicy.
• Stone: Separates easily from the flesh.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: Medium.
• Disease resistance: Good.

Growing Recommendations

• Suitability: It is included in the recommended assortment for both commercial and home gardens.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: The second week of July.