Marianne's Response
Why won’t the cherries develop properly?
in 2017 we planted a Joel bush cherry. It develops the fruit and then turns black. Any idea what we’re doing wrong?
Posted by Margy on June 3, 2021
Marianne's Response
The Joel bush cherry is a new variety on a bush like frame that ripens in August so it is less likely to be eaten by birds and is also a disease and pest resistant sour cherry. You did not mention where you live but this cherry is good in zones 3 to 8 and the fruit turning black could mean and early fall frost or the high heat of August once the fruit forms. I suggest you harvest the cherries as soon as they turn red to gather them before they turn black. This is a tart cherry for pies so do not expect them to stay on the shrub and sweeten up. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti