Cherry (Prunus avium) ALEKSANDRS

Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) 'Aleksandrs'

A Latvian yellow cherry with firm and sweet flesh.

'Aleksandrs' is a high-quality Latvian yellow cherry variety, prized for its medium-sized, firm fruits and reliable growing characteristics. The fruits are an attractive yellow color, with firm, creamy, and juicy flesh that has a sweet, balanced taste. The stone separates well. The tree grows vigorously, forms a compact crown, and is characterized by good frost hardiness of both its wood and flower buds, as well as good disease resistance. It is an ideal variety for home gardens.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Attractive yellow fruits.
• Firm and juicy flesh with a sweet taste.
• Good frost hardiness of both wood and flower buds.
• Good disease resistance.
• Good freestone quality.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia, Dobele
• Breeder: Dr. agr. Silvija Ruisa
• Cross: ‘Drogan's Yellow’ × a local sweet yellow cherry from Vidzeme
• Year of registration: 2002

Variety Characteristics

Tree

Growth is strong, reaching a height of 3.5–4 m on Mahaleb rootstock. The crown is medium to large, compact, with dense branching. The main branches grow more slowly in the early years. It is cross-pollinated and requires another pollinator that blooms at the same or an earlier time.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Medium, with an average weight of 5–5.5 g.
• Shape: Oblate.
• Color: Yellow.
• Flesh: Creamy, firm, with good juiciness. The stone is narrow-elliptic, medium-sized, and separates well.
• Taste: Sweet with a balanced flavor, sometimes slightly sweet-tart.
• Dry matter content: 14–15 % Brix.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: Good (both wood and flower buds).
• Disease resistance: Good.
• Cracking susceptibility: Prone to cracking in very rainy weather.

Growing Recommendations

• Use: A dessert variety for fresh consumption.
• Suitability: Especially recommended for home gardens.
• Rootstock: Mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb) is recommended. Other rootstocks are still being tested.

Harvest and Storage

• Entry into bearing: Begins to bear fruit in the 4th–5th year after planting.
• Productivity: The yield ranges from 8 to 18 kg per tree.
• Harvest time: Mid-early. In the conditions of Dobele (Latvia), it ripens in the first to second decade of July.