Queen Hortense Cherry Tree Plant High and Half Stem diameter 6-8 cm conventional bare root

Technical sheet of the Reine Hortense cherry variety

• Fruit flesh color: Pinkish to yellowish, very juicy and sweet
• Fruit skin color: Thin, ranging from light yellow to pastel red
• Fruit Size and Shape: Medium to large, round in shape
• Fruit maturity: End of June
• Fruit taste: Juicy, sweet and fragrant
• Fruiting period: April (flowering)
• Disease resistance and preservation: Can be used in preserves and jams.
• Is this variety self-fertile? No, self-sterile, requires a pollinator
• Commercial use: For eating, baking, pies, canning, jam, brandy, drying, and freezing
• Comments: Eligible for the conservation orchard of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, prefers sun exposure and can grow on calcareous, clayey, sandy, or humus-rich soils

Quick read / the essentials on the Reine Hortense Cherry Tree

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is an old variety appreciated for its juicy, fragrant and versatile fruits . Selected in 1843 near Saumur, it produces sweet cherries with pink flesh , ideal for fresh consumption, processing into jams and pastries, or preserving in jars and brandy. Adapted to temperate climates and varied soils , it is distinguished by its vigor and good hardiness , although it is sensitive to late frosts and drought .

As a specialist wholesale supplier of cherry plants , Arboriverse offers Reine Hortense cherry plants selected to guarantee consistent, high-quality production . This cherry tree adapts well to deep, well-drained soils , with suitable rootstocks such as Ceravium, Maxma 14, Gisela 6 or Sainte-Lucie , which optimize its development according to the orchard conditions.

Why buy Reine Hortense cherry plants? Its mid-season harvest (end of June) and sweet, fragrant fruit make it an ideal variety for growers looking for a versatile and productive cherry tree. However, as this variety is self-sterile , it is essential to pollinate it with compatible varieties such as Montmorency, Belle de Chatenay or Cerise de Mai to ensure good fruiting.

Thanks to its taste and commercial potential , buying Reine Hortense cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler like Arboriverse guarantees a profitable investment , with plants selected for their robustness and production capacity .

Presentation of the Reine Hortense Cherry Tree

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is an old variety native to Europe, North Africa and East Asia. Selected in 1843 near Saumur by Mr. Moriceau , it is appreciated for the taste quality of its fruits and their versatility in processing. It is distinguished by its early flowering, its adaptability to varied soils and its juicy and fragrant cherries.

Origin and Certification

The Reine Hortense cherry tree does not have a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) , which means that it is a royalty-free variety, the cultivation and propagation of which are not subject to specific restrictions. This old variety is nevertheless eligible for programs to safeguard traditional orchards , particularly in Burgundy-Franche-Comté .

Growing Conditions

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is a vigorous tree, well adapted to temperate climates. It prefers a sunny exposure , necessary to ensure good ripening of the fruits.

Regarding the soil type , it tolerates a wide range of terrains, including calcareous, clayey, sandy and humusy soils . However, it is best to opt for deep, well-drained and rich soil, as excess moisture can be detrimental to its development.

The rootstocks recommended for optimizing cultivation in France are:

• Ceravium , which offers good compatibility with cherry varieties , moderate vigor and good yield.
• Maxma 14 , a semi-dwarfing rootstock, vigorous, with solid anchoring and a low tendency to sucker.
• Gisela 6 , a medium-vigorous rootstock, promoting rapid fruit set and limiting the height of the tree.
• Saint Lucia , particularly suited to calcareous soils , which improves rooting in these specific terrains.

Flowering and Pollination

The Reine Hortense cherry tree blooms in April , an early flowering that can make it vulnerable to late frosts in cold regions. This variety is self-sterile , which means that it requires the presence of another cherry tree to ensure effective pollination and guarantee good fruiting.

Recommended pollinator varieties include:

• Montmorency
• Belle of Chatenay
• May Cherry

The proximity of one or more of these varieties is essential to obtain abundant and regular production.

Fruit Production and Quality

The Reine Hortense cherry tree produces medium to large cherries, usually round in shape. Their skin is light red , and their flesh is pinkish to yellowish, very juicy and sweet , with a delicate fragrance.

Harvesting takes place at the end of June , making it a mid-season variety. These cherries are particularly appreciated for their versatility:

• Consume fresh , thanks to their sweet and fragrant taste.
• Processed into pastries and jams , thanks to their high juice content.
• Preservation in jars or in brandy , allowing prolonged use.
• Drying or freezing , to extend their consumption beyond the season.

Disease Resistance and Sensitivity to Climatic Factors

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is sensitive to drought , especially during its first years of cultivation . It is therefore necessary to ensure regular watering , especially in summer. After four to five years , the tree becomes more self-sufficient and less sensitive to lack of water.

In terms of diseases and pests, this variety can be affected by:

• The cherry fruit fly , which lays its larvae in fruit, making it difficult to eat. Installing pheromone traps can help limit the infestation.
• The black cherry aphid , which can be controlled by introducing natural auxiliaries such as ladybugs or lacewings .
• Cryptogamic diseases , such as brown rot and cylindrosporiosis, require suitable pruning to aerate the foliage and limit the risk of contamination.

Tree Management and Maintenance

The Reine Hortense cherry tree requires special attention when planting and during its first years of growth:

• Regular weeding during the first five years , in order to limit root competition and encourage good development.
• Light pruning after harvesting , to ensure good aeration of the tree and reduce the risk of disease.
• Monitoring irrigation , especially in cases of prolonged drought.
• Protection against frost , especially in areas susceptible to spring frosts, which can damage flowering.

Conclusion

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is an old and rustic variety , appreciated for the quality of its fruits and their great versatility in processing. Adapted to varied soils and sunny exposures , it nevertheless remains sensitive to drought and late frosts , requiring careful cultural management.

Its self-sterile status requires the presence of other pollinating varieties , and its regular maintenance is essential to limit the risks of disease and optimize production.

Its place in conservation orchards makes it an interesting variety for producers seeking to preserve fruit heritage while cultivating a cherry tree with recognized taste qualities. A comparative study with other traditional varieties would allow for a better assessment of its commercial potential and profitability in the context of professional production.

To summarize: Cherry tree Reine Hortense

The Reine Hortense cherry tree is a traditional variety prized for its juicy and sweet cherries , perfectly suited to fresh consumption and processing . Its adaptability to varied soils , its natural resistance to temperate climates and its stable production make it a wise choice for professional producers and conservation orchards .

This cherry tree tolerates calcareous, clayey and sandy soils well , but requires effective drainage to avoid root asphyxiation. Its self-sterile status requires cross-pollination , with varieties such as Montmorency, Belle de Chatenay and Cerise de Mai to ensure optimal production. Its maintenance includes light pruning after harvest , regular watering in dry periods , as well as protection against fungal diseases such as brown rot and cylindrosporiosis .

To maximize the quality of your harvest , it is essential to source quality plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler . Arboriverse , thanks to its expertise and rigorous selection, offers producers certified Reine Hortense cherry plants , guaranteeing efficient and profitable cultivation .

Whether for a new plantation or to preserve an old variety in an orchard , buying Reine Hortense cherry plants from a specialist cherry plant wholesaler is the best guarantee of reliable production and sustainable yield .