Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ is a hybrid of two other sweet cherries introduced by Washington State University. Its yellow-red exterior and creamy-yellow flesh make it a unique and popular choice for culinary use. It is the most common sweet cherry grown in Washington state and is named after nearby Mount Rainier.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Regarded by many as the best yellow cherry, Prunus avium ‘Rainier’ is a large and vigorous cherry tree of pyramidal habit. In mid-spring, it boasts an abundance of sweetly scented white flowers clustered along the branches. They are followed by a generous crop of very large, golden-yellow cherries with a showy red blush in early summer.
The Rainier cherry was developed by Harold Fogle at Washington State University in 1952 and is named after Mt. Rainier. They are a cross between the Van & the Bing cultivars. It was a big surprise that they turned out with the light yellow to medium orange-yellow skin they sport. When ripe, they develop a red blush. They have a thin skin & the flesh is creamy yellow. They are so sweet! You will see them with little brown spots on them, but this is not rot; it is in actuality an extra sweet sugar spot. Their flesh does not tend to crack unless they get abnormal rainfall or watering during the ripening of the fruit. 1/3 of the Rainier cherry crop is eaten by birds.
Rainier cherries are most often grafted onto the Mazzard cherry which is a wild, sweet cherry. They will produce fruit in 3 to 5 years. They are a low-chill cherry, requiring 1000 to 1500 annual chilling hours for good bloom & fruit production. They require a pollinator. Sam Sweet blooms at the same time & makes a good pollinator. Also used as pollinators are Lapins, Bing, Van, and Lambert. Conversely, the Rainier is used as a pollinator for the dark, sweet varieties.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ likes sunshine. As a fruit tree, ample sunlight for photosynthesis is necessary for its growth and to provide sufficient nutrition to develop fruit. It should be planted in a spot that ensures it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight, and ideally no less than 8 hours of sunlight.
Temperature
Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ is fairly good at surviving in low temperatures. The temperature it can tolerate ranges from -22℃ to 42℃. It is also not very picky when it comes to water. It does not need a lot of water and is resistant to both drought and flood.
Watering
Originating from temperate regions, sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ thrives with consistent moisture similar to its natural habitat. This species exhibits a preference for well-drained soil and moderate humidity, maintaining a balance that supports its growth without waterlogging. For optimal hydration, sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ requires watering twice a week, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist. As a deciduous plant commonly grown outdoors, sweet cherry ‘Rainier”s water needs are particularly high during its growing season to support lush foliage and fruit development.
Soil
When planting sweet cherry ‘Rainier’, you should select a sandy loam soil or loam that is thick, rich in organic matter, and with a slight to medium alkaline pH of 7-8.5. Avoid planting it in a place where salt and alkalis are concentrated. Additionally, make sure that the soil is moist but drains well. It is best not to grow sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ in clay soil.
Fertilizing
Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ likes to be fertilized. A sufficient amount of fertilizer will ensure that it grows healthily and bears fruit. Organic fertilizer is usually used for its base fertilizer. When applying fertilizer, dig a circular trench around the external circumference of the tree crown, at a depth of 38 cm and a width of 28 cm. Apply the fertilizer evenly throughout the trench, then backfill the soil.
Fertilizer should be applied twice a year, the first time prior to blooming, to supply nutrients for the flowers, and the second time when the fruit is growing larger, to supply nutrients for fruit growth and to increase the yield.
Planting Instructions
You can purchase sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ saplings in garden centers. Pay attention to two things before planting. First, choose an area of the garden that has a lower altitude to plant your sweet cherry ‘Rainier’. This will help it to acquire enough water because its roots are shallow. Additionally, apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting it, mostly organic fertilizer. Once planted, remember to water it soon after, until the water on the surface of the soil stops draining away. When this happens you have provided sufficient water.
We generally do not sow seeds to propagate sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ because the seeds need to undergo post-ripening effects. This means that the seeds are not yet mature when they are harvested. It is only after a period of special treatment that the seeds can complete their biochemical processes and reach the condition of being mature seeds that are able to germinate.
Pruning
Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ sprouts on branches that have strong budding capabilities. However, the branches can easily become overcrowded and need frequent pruning to maintain the shape, air circulation, and light exposure within the tree. This also helps to prevent pests and diseases while at the same time helping the leaves receive more sunlight.
Sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ can generate a large amount of fruit without any artificial pollination. Because sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ can produce a large number of flowers with a high yield of fruit, to maintain its growth and the quality of fruit, it is recommended that some flowers and fruit be removed to concentrate the nutrients for the remaining fruit. As a result, there will not be a large amount of fruit, but those left will be of higher quality and have an improved flavor.
Propagation
A coveted variety for its sweet fruit, sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ is typically propagated through grafting to ensure genetic consistency and vigor. Enthusiasts prefer selecting a healthy, disease-free rootstock to graft a scion from a mature sweet cherry ‘Rainier’, which promotes reliable fruit production and quality. This process, best carried out by experienced gardeners or under expert guidance, fuses sweet cherry ‘Rainier”s desirable traits with a root system that provides resilience and adaptability to different soil conditions.
Transplanting
The prime timeframe to transplant sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ spans from the awakening of spring to its full blossom – offering mild temperatures and optimal root establishment. Choose a sunny locale with well-drained soil. Protect the young sapling by selecting a sheltered spot.
III. Harvesting and Storage
The fruits of sweet cherry ‘Rainier’ usually ripen in the early fall and can be picked for eating. If the fruit needs to be stored or transported a long distance, it is better to harvest the fruit before it softens, such as during the late summer or early fall. Note that fruit should be handled gently and, ideally, and the twig should remain on the fruit.
