Can you grow University of Saskatchewan Bush Cherries in Warm(er) climates?

General Fruit Growing
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Hi All! I’m in zone 7b in Maryland and I was wondering if University of Saskatchewan Bush Cherries can be grown well as no spray fruit bushes in my warm climate? I asked the university and the furthest south documented planting they could think of was Montana. I’m a bit warmer than that! per the edible landscaping website they can be grown as no spray bushes with excellent disease and pest resistance, but looking for more anecdotal evidence before giving them a go myself. also while Edible Landscaping is further south than me, they are further west and likely in a cooler climate. specifically I was thinking about the newer ‘sweet thing’ cultivar.

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It is one of the most rewarding plants I grow here in Arlington, VA (7A or maybe even 7B). It is quite amazing that these plants developed for the far north do great down here as well. The biggest issue you’ll have to prepare for is plum curculio, which once they find you can ruin every cherry if left alone. My first few years of production were great and then they all but ruined my 3rd year crop when the bushes were really getting into gear. I use surround now and it works great, as long as you keep up with spraying as the rain washes it off.

Here is a video of my Carmine Jewel bushes from a few years ago. I also grow Juliet.

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I also have found they require spraying. I use Spinosad and Immunox. . Also copper when dormant, as mine get leaf spot. Also, fence for deer and rabbits and net for birds. I prefer the varieties with larger pits for my pitter, such as Romeo and Juliet, but the Carmine Jewels are probably the most productive. No need to buy multiples of any variety, as they sucker freely after a couple years. I am zone 4a near 3b.

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this summer was the 1st. time getting brown rot even after spraying but it was a very warm, wet summer. still got 80% of the crop though. sprayed 3xs with immunox.

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Are these trees sold on their own roots, rather than grafted? The suckers will be identical to their parent tree?

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yes and yes per the U of S website

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I grow them in the Panhandle of Texas. 30 days or more over 100 this year and the Carmine Jewel is thriving

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I found them harder to grow than sour cherries, very prone to powdery mildew and otherwise all the same problems but with a much bigger seed, less vigor, and not nearly as tasty as Montmorency.

So yes sure they will work… but why bother? I guess with limited space the low vigor could be a good thing. For me the deer were eating them alive and they were never going to get tall enough.

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thanks everyone for the input. I’ll hold off on these since the consensus is they can be great, but not as no-spray bushes in my climate.

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