Overview

Embark on your fruit-growing journey with these premium black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood cuttings. This offering includes 6 high-quality, organic hardwood cuttings of the renowned Prunus avium ‘Black Tartarian’ variety. These cuttings are specifically provided as scion wood, meaning they are intended for grafting onto an existing rootstock to establish a new cherry tree. The Black Tartarian cherry is celebrated for its vigorous growth, abundant yields, and exceptionally sweet, rich, and full-bodied fruit. Originating from the Circassia region, this heirloom variety has been a favorite in US orchards since the late 1700s, known for its consistent performance and delectable cherries. Please note, these are unrooted cuttings and require grafting for successful cultivation. If you’re looking to expand your home orchard with a reliable and delicious sweet cherry cultivar, these organic cherry cuttings are an excellent choice.

The black tartarian cherry grafting process is a rewarding horticultural skill that allows you to propagate desirable fruit varieties. These specific cuttings are harvested from healthy, robust parent trees, ensuring genetic integrity and strong growth potential. The ‘Black Tartarian’ variety is not only a fantastic producer of fresh-eating and juicing fruit but also serves as an outstanding pollinator for many other sweet cherry cultivars, making it a valuable addition to any diverse orchard.

Key Benefits

Investing in black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood offers numerous advantages for both seasoned grafters and gardening enthusiasts. These organic cuttings provide a foundation for growing a highly productive and cherished fruit tree.

• Exceptional Fruit Quality: The Black Tartarian cherry produces large, purplish-black fruit with an intensely sweet, rich, and full-bodied flavor. These cherries are perfect for fresh eating, canning, preserves, and juicing, offering a versatile harvest for your culinary endeavors.
• Robust & Productive Growth: Known for its vigor, this variety is an early bearer that blooms prolifically, ensuring a generous yield of fruit. Your grafted tree will be a reliable source of delicious cherries for years to come.
• Excellent Pollinator: The Black Tartarian is one of the best pollinators for other dark sweet cherry varieties. Including it in your orchard can significantly boost the fruit production of your existing cherry trees, enhancing overall yield and diversity.
• Organic & Healthy Cuttings: These organic cherry cuttings are sourced from healthy, robust parent trees, free from synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, providing a clean start for your new tree. This ensures you’re growing fruit that is as natural as possible.
• Heirloom Variety: Cultivate a piece of history with this classic heirloom cherry. The ‘Black Tartarian’ has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to be a popular choice due to its proven resilience and superior taste, offering a taste of tradition in your garden.
• Adaptable to Various Zones: With a USDA Zone range of 5-8, this sweet cherry scion wood is suitable for a wide range of climates, making it a versatile option for many home gardeners across the US.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful cultivation of your black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood begins with proper grafting and attentive care. These cuttings are intended for grafting onto a suitable cherry rootstock. Popular rootstocks include Mazzard, Mahaleb, or Gisela series, chosen based on desired tree size and soil conditions. Familiarize yourself with grafting techniques such as whip-and-tongue, cleft, or bark grafting, which are commonly used for cherry scion wood. After grafting, ensure the union is protected and sealed to prevent moisture loss and promote successful healing. Keep the grafted plant in a sheltered location with consistent moisture until the graft takes and new growth begins.

Once established, Black Tartarian cherry trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant fruit. They prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. While relatively drought-tolerant once mature, consistent moisture is crucial during fruit development. Water deeply, especially during dry spells, to encourage healthy root growth and fruit size. Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer, following package instructions. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring to shape the tree, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage fruit production. Protecting young trees from pests and diseases is also important; consult local extension services for regional recommendations.

The prunus avium scion wood will eventually develop into a robust tree that ripens its fruit in June. This cultivar is known for its strong disease resistance, but monitoring for common cherry issues like cherry fruit fly or brown rot is always a good practice. Optimal growing conditions will lead to a healthy, productive tree that provides years of delicious sweet cherry scion wood harvests. Remember that the success of your graft and the subsequent health of your tree largely depend on the care provided in the initial stages and throughout its life.

Size & Details

This offering includes 6 individual black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood cuttings. Each cutting is typically 6-12 inches long, suitable for various grafting techniques. These are dormant, unrooted hardwood cuttings, carefully selected for their health and viability. The ‘Black Tartarian’ variety is known to produce medium to large-sized fruit with a black/dark red color, ripening in June. Once grafted and established, the mature tree can reach heights of 20-30 feet, depending on the rootstock used, and will require adequate space for its mature spread. The tree will bloom with white flowers in early to mid-May, followed by fruit set. It is an ideal choice for home orchards in USDA Zones 5-8, preferring full sun exposure and loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Expect a robust and productive tree once successfully grafted and grown.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What exactly is black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood? A: Black tartarian sweet cherry scion wood refers to dormant hardwood cuttings taken from a ‘Black Tartarian’ cherry tree. These cuttings have no roots and are specifically used for grafting onto a compatible rootstock to grow a new cherry tree with the desired characteristics of the ‘Black Tartarian’ variety.
• Q: How many cuttings are included in this package? A: This package includes 6 individual organic cherry cuttings of the Black Tartarian Sweet Cherry. This quantity allows for multiple grafting attempts or to establish several trees.
• Q: What condition will the scion wood arrive in? A: The prunus avium scion wood will arrive as dormant, unrooted hardwood cuttings. They are typically wrapped to maintain moisture and freshness during transit, ready for immediate grafting upon arrival.
• Q: Is this product a live tree or a fruit? A: No, this product is neither a live tree nor a fruit. It consists solely of scion wood cuttings, which are unrooted plant material used for grafting. You will need to graft these onto a rootstock to grow a tree.
• Q: What is the best time to graft these sweet cherry scion wood cuttings? A: The best time for grafting cherry scion wood is typically in late winter or early spring, just as the rootstock is breaking dormancy. This timing allows for optimal healing of the graft union.
• Q: What kind of rootstock should I use for Black Tartarian cherry scion wood? A: Common rootstocks for sweet cherries include Mazzard, Mahaleb, or various Gisela series rootstocks. The choice depends on your desired tree size, soil type, and regional growing conditions.
• Q: How much sun does a Black Tartarian cherry tree need after grafting? A: Once successfully grafted and established, a Black Tartarian cherry tree requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: What USDA Hardiness Zones are suitable for Black Tartarian cherries? A: Black Tartarian cherry trees thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8, making them adaptable to a wide range of climates across the United States.
• Q: How long does it take for a grafted Black Tartarian cherry tree to produce fruit? A: A successfully grafted Black Tartarian cherry tree can begin producing fruit within 3-5 years, depending on the rootstock used and the care provided.
• Q: Is black tartarian cherry grafting difficult for beginners? A: While grafting requires some practice and specific techniques, it is a skill that can be learned by beginners. There are many online resources and guides available to help you master the process.