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PRUNUS SALICIFOLIA HBK. - Capulin Cherry |
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CULTURE |
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Location: Capulins should be planted in full sun. Stake young trees carefully to protect from strong winds.
Soil: The trees are not exacting in their soil requirements and grow well on any reasonably fertile site. They can thrive in poor ground, even clays, but seem to prefer dry sandy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5
Irrigation: Capulin cherries are somewhat drought tolerant, but they grow better and produce better fruit with regular watering, particularly during the period between flowering and fruiting.
Fertilization: Capulin cherries respond well to light applications of nitrogen fertilizer when the blossoms first appear in spring. In reasonably good soils the trees may need no more than an annual mulch of compost.
Pruning: The trees need very little pruning to remain productive, although some pruning is useful to keep them at a desired height and to facilitate fruit harvest. They will take radical pruning and can be grown as a fruiting hedge.
Propagation: Capulin cherries are easily propagated by seed but the fruit quality of seedling trees is quite variable. Seedling plants are typically used as rootstock for desired cultivars using tip, wedge or cleft grafts. The plants can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings for growth on their own roots.
Pests and diseases: In California capulins are relatively free of many of the pests and diseases that afflict regular cherries and other stonefruit trees. Bacterial gummosis is an occasional problem, and some varieties are prone to die-back for unknown reasons. Pests include mites, pear slugs and scale. Deer will browse on the foliage when the plants are small. Birds are attracted to the fruit, but are less of a problem than they are with regular cherries.
Harvest: Like other cherries, the fruits are ready to harvest when they has developed full color and yield to gentle pressure. The skin is thin and tender but sufficiently firm for the fruit to resist bruising. The fruit will keep under refrigeration for 4 to 6 weeks in an uncovered container. The ripe fruits can be eaten out of hand or made into jams and preserves, or even made into wine.
Commercial Potential: Although common in the markets of Guatemala and the Andean regions, and useful as a backyard fruit, capulin cherries have yet to achieve any commercial success in this country. This could change if varieties could be developed with eating qualities on par with cultivated cherries. There is some evidence that this is an achievable goal. Ripening before most major northern cherries, the fruits could fill a marketing niche. |
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CULTIVARS |
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Ecuadorian
Very large, round fruit up to 1-1/2 inch in diameter. Light green, sweetish flesh, free of astringency when ripe. Drooping tree, outbears many other cultivars.
Fausto
Large fruit, 2/3 to 1 inch in diameter. Flesh green, flavor rich and sweet. Ripens late, August to September in Vista. Tree upright abut drooping, a reliable annual bearer. Has good commercial potential.
Harriet
Large, flattened globe-shaped fruit, 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. Skin deep purple-black. Flesh green, more or less free of astringency, flavor good. Seed relatively small, Tree is a genetic dwarf, somewhat of a shy bearer.
Huachi Grande
Large to very large, roundish fruits 1 inch or more in diameter. Very mild flavor, lacking the astringency of other capulins. Ripens early to midseason. Appears to require high temperatures to develop best flavor. Tree a very heavy producer, tends to over produce in heavy clusters.
Lomeli
Large, roundish fruit, 1 to 1-1/8 inch in diameter. Flesh fairly astringent, flavor good. Seed small. Tree a heavy producer, often yielding more than 200 lbs. of fruit. Bears fruit in clusters. Performs very well in cool coastal locations.
Werner
Small fruit with very good flavor. Tree a light producer, appears to bear better on certain rootstocks. Extremely vigorous, can grow 15 ft. or more in one year. Named for Andrew Werner of Santa Cruz, Calif.
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