Saint Valentine

Cherry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Carmine Jewel' and 'Juliet'

Summary: The trees of 'Saint Valentine' begin flowering early whereas those of 'Carmine Jewel' and 'Juliet' flower mid-season. The flower petals of 'Saint Valentine' are medium obovate whereas they are circular on both reference varieties. The fruit of 'Saint Valentine' is medium size and reniform to oblate in shape whereas it is small and circular on 'Carmine Jewel' and large and reniform on 'Juliet'. The fruit skin of 'Saint Valentine' is medium red whereas it is blackish on 'Carmine Jewel' and dark red to brown red on 'Juliet'. The fruit flesh of 'Saint Valentine' is medium red whereas it is black on 'Carmine Jewel' and dark red on 'Juliet'. The fruit of 'Saint Valentine' is high in sweetness whereas it is medium in 'Carmine Jewel'. The ratio of weight of fruit flesh to weight of stone of 'Saint Valentine' is medium whereas it is large for both reference varieties. The fruit of 'Saint Valentine' begins to ripen early whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' ripens very early.

Description:

TREE: weak to medium vigour, semi-upright growth habit, medium branching, buds distributed along entire branch, early flowering, early fruit maturity
YOUNG SHOOT: normal length of internode

LEAF: medium green on upper surface, medium glossiness, weak anthocyanin on upper side of petiole, nectaries present

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Saint Valentine' arose from the cross of 'Kerr's Easy Pick' and 'Cacanski Rubin', made in 1992 as part of the Fruit Breeding and Research Program of the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 'Kerr's Easy Pick' was an unreleased selection derived from Prunus fruticosa x Prunus cerasus hybrids that were interbred for several generations over 40 years. Progeny was collected from the original cross, was stratified and container grown, then field planted on their own rootstock in the spring of 1994. Advanced selection status took place in 1999. Selection criteria included productivity, winter hardiness, extent of suckering, ease of fruit removal and fruit quality characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Saint Valentine' 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 growing season.

Comparison tables for 'Saint Valentine' with reference varieties 'Carmine Jewel' and 'Juliet'

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Leaf petiole length (cm)

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Cherry: 'Saint Valentine' (right) with reference varieties 'Carmine Jewel' (centre) and 'Juliet' (left)

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Cherry: 'Saint Valentine' (left) with reference varieties 'Carmine Jewel' (centre) and 'Juliet' (right)