Is anyone else on this list growing Surefire pie cherries? I am just getting my first good crop now. I’ve had the tree for a few years, but I just biocharred it heavily last year, and it seems to like it. I think the cherries are sweeter and better tasting than Montmorency by a little bit. They are the first pie cherry that I’ve grown that seems to be anywhere near as productive as Montmorency. I am pretty happy with it right now, but I’m curious as to whether anyone else is growing it. It was the first pie cherry released by Geneva NY USDA for 130? years.
I am growing it but it is the last pie cherry to ripen for me so I don’t do much to protect the fruit from birds. I only have one dwarf Surefire but I have 8 good sized Carmine Jewels which are a little earlier so I focus on them. Surefire definitely tastes better fresh than CJ and blooms later than everything else I have.
Growing it here in northeast Alabama in the foothills but I just planted it this year. It’s on G5 and first cherry I ever tried to grow so I don’t know how it will turn out but so far so good, it’s growing like crazy. Plan on netting it when it gets to fruiting age
Can anyone else comment on this pie cherry? Ease of growing? Same as montmorency? All I’ve found online is that it might be a tad sweeter and firmer than montmorency and blooms a little later.
Cummins apparently “lost” all their montmorencys for next year. I’ve placed a new order with Mehrabyan, but considering Surefire.
I only have one more year of experience with this fruit, but I think it’s a winner. The taste is great. It does seem to grow a bit more slowly. Luckily, I’m patient. I have rejected some other pie cherries after growing them: Jubileum, Danube and I’m going to move out Balaton. They just aren’t very productive, so I don’t think they are worth the key sunny spots.