Crimson Passion

Cherry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Carmine Jewel'

Summary: 'Crimson Passion' has very low to low plant vigour with low branching whereas 'Carmine Jewel' has low to medium vigour and medium branching. The plant growth habit of 'Crimson Passion' is semi-upright whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' is spreading. The fruit of 'Crimson Passion' is large to very large and reniform in shape whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' is small and circular. The fruit of 'Crimson Passion' has a brown red skin colour with low acidity and high sweetness whereas that of 'Carmine Jewel' has a blackish skin colour with medium acidity and sweetness. 'Crimson Passion' begins ripening early whereas 'Carmine Jewel' ripens very early.

Description:

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

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

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

FRUIT: large to very 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 acidity, high sweetness, medium juiciness
FRUIT JUICE: medium red

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Crimson Passion' arose from the cross, '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. 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 'Crimson Passion' 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.

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Cherry: 'Crimson Passion' (bottom right) with reference variety, 'Carmine Jewel' (top centre)