A cultivar of Sweet cherry, sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ produces an abundance of sweet blossoms in early spring and numerous large, dark red cherries several weeks after. This cultivar also boasts foliage of beautiful, varied coloring, being green in summer before adopting shades of orange and yellow in autumn. It is well-respected, having been awarded by the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Prunus avium ‘Lapins’ is a hybrid cherry developed to increase the number of self-fertile hybrids on the market. It was named for and developed by Karlis Lapins, an immigrant from Latvia.
Prunus avium, often called wild cherry, sweet cherry, or bird cherry, originated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa and became naturalized in North America. The ‘Lapins’ cherry was developed in an agricultural research center in British Columbia. You can also find it under the label ‘Cherokee’.
‘Lapins’ is a vigorous grower and a productive tree that makes sweet, even-colored red cherries immune to splitting. The fruit has a mild, sweet taste that is good for fresh eating and cooking for jams and sauces. At the height of the harvesting season, the trees can produce 15-20 gallons of fruit. In spring, it further enhances the garden with fragrant white blossoms.
This cherry was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit, one of only eight cultivars of cherries that have had the honor for their hardiness and general excellence in a fruit tree.
This low-maintenance plant tolerates temperatures to -10°F (-23°C), and is considered hardy, and once established, is quite drought-tolerant.
This tree is self-pollinating and doesn’t require any other cherry trees to set fruit. However, more than one cherry tree will increase yields.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ 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 ‘Lapins’ 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
You should water sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ and adjust the frequency of watering based on its stage of growth, the local weather, and the condition of the soil. Before budding (in mid-spring), it should be watered once. From mid-spring to just before the fall, it should be watered every month. It needs to be thoroughly watered each time you water it, until the water on the soil surface stops draining away. This will ensure that it has sufficient water for growth.
After watering, remember to loosen the soil and remove any weeds in a timely fashion. Stop watering in the autumn and especially in the winter, otherwise it will suffer from frost damage.
Soil
When planting sweet cherry ‘Lapins’, 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 ‘Lapins’ in clay soil.
Fertilizing
Sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ 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 ‘Lapins’ 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 ‘Lapins’. 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 ‘Lapins’ 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 ‘Lapins’ 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 ‘Lapins’ can generate a large amount of fruit without any artificial pollination. Because sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ 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
Sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ can be propagated by grafting. Select healthy and strong that have 3-4 fully developed buds for grafting in mid-spring, or directly use buds for grafting in the summer.
Cut a T-shaped opening in the stock, and insert the branch or bud into the cut between its xylem and phloem, while making sure the phloem vessels are in contact with each other. Then, use plastic wrapping to bind them together. After 10-20 days, when the cut has healed and the branch or bud has survived, the plastic wrap can be removed.
Transplanting
Sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ thrives when transplanted in the height of spring, benefiting from warmer soil and consistent moisture. Opt for a sunny, well-drained spot for optimal growth. Only transplant tips: Water thoroughly and ensure roots are covered.
Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests
Sap-sucking insects, like aphids, are a problem for many gardeners. However, they are easy enough to control, starting with a jet of water or by using insecticidal soaps.
- Common Diseases
In general, cherries tend to suffer from bacterial canker, which is something to look out for. This disease mainly affects the branches, buds, leaves, and fruit. Dark areas form at the base of buds, and gummy substances form in spring and fall. Leaves and buds will wilt and die.
This disease is often caused by damaged trees or those stuck in waterlogged soils with poor drainage. This serious disease should be treated immediately. If you have already removed damaged branches and the disease persists, follow up with an appropriate copper-based spray.
Also, look out for cherry leaf spot that form purple spots on the upper side of the leaves. The diseased leaves will fall off and carry their fungus with them, overwintering in the leaf pile. This is often a result of poor air circulation or not enough sunlight. Gather the fallen leaves, burn them, and treat the tree with a suitable fungicide. Practice proper pruning in the dormant season to prevent further infections.
III. Uses and Benefits
Cherry trees are surprisingly easy to grow for a home gardener and lovely trees to have as ornamental plants. In summer, your reward is the glistening, dark red fruits forming in clusters on long stalks. The fruit is sweet, firm, and ready to eat straight off the tree or harvested and baked into a cherry pie.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The fruits of sweet cherry ‘Lapins’ 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.
