Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) LATVIJAS ZEMAIS

Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) 'Latvijas Zemais'

The most reliable and productive Latvian sour cherry with a dwarf habit.

'Latvijas Zemais' is an old and the most widespread sour cherry variety in Latvia, belonging to the Morello group (dark fruits and dark juice). It is a landrace selection originating from the border regions of Latvia and Lithuania. It is characterized by its low, often shrub-like growth, high productivity, and good wood frost hardiness. The fruits are medium-sized, dark red, with tart, soft flesh. The variety is self-fertile and is considered the most stable and regularly bearing sour cherry.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Most stable and regular productivity: Considered the most reliably bearing sour cherry.
• Low, shrub-like growth: Grows only 2–2.5 m tall, making harvesting easy and requiring little space.
• Self-fertile: Produces an abundant crop even when planted alone.
• Good wood frost hardiness.
• Typical sour cherry flavor: Ideal for processing (jams, juices, compotes).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Landrace from the border regions of Latvia and Lithuania
• Synonyms: ‘Leišu ķirsis’ (Lithuanian Cherry), ‘Žagares ķirsis’ (Žagarė Cherry)
• Type: Morello cherry (Prunus cerasus)

Variety Characteristics

Tree / Bush

Growth is low and shrub-like, reaching a height of 2–2.5 meters (some clones up to 4 m). The crown has drooping branches. It comes into bearing early, in the 2nd–3rd year after planting. Productivity is high and very regular. It is partially self-fertile.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Small to medium-sized, with an average weight of 3–3.5 grams.
• Shape: Oblate.
• Color and skin: Dark red; skin is thin and glossy.
• Flesh and juice: Dark red, soft, and juicy.
• Taste: Tart-sweet to sweet-tart.
• Chemical composition: Total acids: 2.1 ± 0.2%; Total sugars (Brix): 14.4 ± 0.6 °Brix; Total anthocyanins: 43.1 ± 7.3 mg/100g; Total phenols: 174.7 ± 16.8 mg/100g.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost hardiness: The wood has good frost hardiness; the flower buds have medium hardiness.
• Disease resistance: More susceptible to leaf spot.

Growing Recommendations

• Use: Suitable for fresh consumption and for processing.

Harvest and Storage

• Ripening time: Early, ripens from the first to the middle of July.