Sour Cherry (Prunus cerassu) GRIOT BELORUSSKY

Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) 'Griot Belorussky'

A traditional Belarusian variety with large fruits and excellent flavour.

'Griot Belorussky' (Гриот Белорусский) is one of the most famous and popular sour cherry varieties in Belarus, with a history likely dating back to the 18th century. It is valued for its large fruits, excellent tart-sweet flavour (rating 4.8/5), and high yield. The tree has vigorous growth and good resistance to frost and major diseases, making it a reliable and proven choice for gardeners.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Large fruits (up to 5.7 g) with excellent flavour (rating 4.8/5).
• High and reliable yield.
• Resistance to shot hole disease and moniliosis.
• Good frost resistance (down to -32 °C).
• Versatile use and good transportability of fruits.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Belarus
• Crossing: ‘Griot Ostgeimsky’ × ‘Novodvorskaya’ (likely in the 18th century)

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Vigorous.
• Crown: Pyramidal, slightly upright, medium density.
• Fruiting habit: Bears fruit mainly on bouquet spurs.
• Pollination: It is cross-pollinated (self-fertility is low).

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large, with an average weight of 5.7 g.
• Shape and colour: Round, dark red.
• Flesh and juice: The flesh is dark red, medium firm, and very juicy. The juice is dark red.
• Flavour: Pleasant, tart-sweet (rating 4.8/5).
• Stone: Medium-sized, easily separable from the flesh.
• Use: Versatile (fresh consumption, preserving).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Good to high (withstands frosts down to -32 °C).
• Disease resistance: Resistant to shot hole disease and moniliosis.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Requires the presence of another sour cherry variety (a pollinator) to ensure a harvest, as it is cross-pollinated.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Mid-early (second to third decade of July).
• Yield: High (up to 17 t/ha).
• Entry into bearing: 4th year after planting.
• Transportability: Good.