Romeo

Cherry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Carmine Jewel'

Summary: The plant growth habit of 'Romeo' is semi-upright whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' is spreading. The fruit of 'Romeo' is large and reniform in shape whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' is small and circular. The fruit stalk of 'Romeo' is longer than that of 'Carmine Jewel'. The fruit skin of 'Romeo' is brown red whereas it is blackish on 'Carmine Jewel'. The fruit juice of 'Romeo' is medium red whereas it is dark red in 'Carmine Jewel'. The fruit of 'Romeo' begins ripening early whereas 'Carmine Jewel' begins ripening very early.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright and bushy growth habit, grows on own roots, low vigour, low to medium branching, buds distributed along entire branch, begins flowering mid-season, begins fruit ripening early
YOUNG SHOOT: short length of internode

LEAF: medium length/width ratio, medium green on upper surface, medium glossiness
PETIOLE: weak anthocyanin on upper side, medium ratio of leaf blade/petiole length, nectaries present

FLOWER: irregular arrangement
PETAL: free arrangement of petals, broad obovate shape

FRUIT: large, reniform shape in ventral view, flat at pistil end
FRUIT STALK: medium thickness, anthocyanin colouration present, abscission layer present between stalk and fruit
FRUIT SKIN: brown red
FRUIT FLESH: dark red, medium firmness, low to medium acidity, medium to high sweetness, medium juiciness
FRUIT JUICE: medium red

STONE: small to medium size, broad elliptic shape in ventral view, large ratio of weight of fruit flesh to weight of stone

Origin & Breeding History: 'Romeo' arose from the cross, 'Kerr's Easy Pick' and 'Planteskole og Frohandel', made in 1991 as part of the Domestic Fruit Development Program, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Progeny was collected from the original cross, was stratified and container grown in 1992, then field planted on their own rootstock in the spring of 1993. Advanced selection status took place in 2001. 'Romeo' was selected from a population of approximately 2500 seedlings based on its productivity, winter hardiness, extent of suckering, ease of fruit removal and fruit quality characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Romeo' were planted in 2004 at the University of Saskatchewan, Horticulture Fields, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Forty bushes were planted in rows, spaced 1.5 metres apart in the row with a row spacing alternating between 3 and 4 metres. The data for the measured characteristics was collected during the 2009 and 2012 growing seasons. Measured characteristics were based on 30 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison table for 'Romeo' with reference variety 'Carmine Jewel'

Fruit stalk length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Cherry: 'Romeo' (bottom centre) with reference variety 'Carmine Jewel' (top centre)