Q&A growing cherry trees in pots + will rainier cherry trees cross pollinate with Utah Giant - Ask Extension
I bought a sweetheart cherry tree (Mazzard rootstock) and a semi dwarf rainier cherry tree (Maxma 14 rootstock). I was wondering if these rootstocks c...
Knowledgebase
Q&A growing cherry trees in pots + will rainier cherry trees cross pollinate with Utah Giant #726709
Asked September 24, 2020, 8:07 PM EDT
I bought a sweetheart cherry tree (Mazzard rootstock) and a semi dwarf rainier cherry tree (Maxma 14 rootstock). I was wondering if these rootstocks can be grown in a 40 gallon pot 31 W x 23 H. I read online that the roots would just stop growing after the reach a certain point but want to make sure. I also know rainier is not self pollinating so I was wondering if Utah Giant cherries would work. If not would sweetheart as a pollinator? I am also wondering if there is anything more I have to do for them during the winter as I am zone 5. Thanks for the help.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello, and thank you for contacting us.
Cherry Trees in Containers: Generally speaking, fruit trees in containers is not a good long-term plan. If this is the best option for your trees, you'll want to transplant them every couple of years into the next-larger pot rather than planting in an extra large pot in the beginning. See the first link below for more about planting trees in containers. Because cherry trees do a lot of work to produce fruit, they need an optimal root environment to stay healthy and produce fruit. Putting a new tree in a pot can work for the first few years depending on the size of the tree. Ultimately though, the tree may decline if it is not planted in the ground. From what I have read, the non-dwarf Sweetheart on Mazzard rootstock is fast-growing and it would likely not last as long in a pot as the Rainier. https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/container_growing_fruit.pdf
Pollination of Cherry Trees: I couldn't find consistent information on cross-pollination of Utah Giant and Rainier. It appears that Sweetheart can act as a pollinator for most other varieties but that the bloom times may not coincide with Rainier. You might try contacting the seller and/or the grower of your trees for more information. Below are two links - one to the CSU information about fruit tree pollination, and the other is a WSU link with three different pollen compatibility table (see the Resources section).
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/pollination-of-tree-fruits-7-002/
http://treefruit.wsu.edu/web-article/sweet-cherry-pollination/
Overwintering: The best strategy for now is to plant the trees in containers that are a couple of inches larger than the root balls.
Cherry Trees in Containers: Generally speaking, fruit trees in containers is not a good long-term plan. If this is the best option for your trees, you'll want to transplant them every couple of years into the next-larger pot rather than planting in an extra large pot in the beginning. See the first link below for more about planting trees in containers. Because cherry trees do a lot of work to produce fruit, they need an optimal root environment to stay healthy and produce fruit. Putting a new tree in a pot can work for the first few years depending on the size of the tree. Ultimately though, the tree may decline if it is not planted in the ground. From what I have read, the non-dwarf Sweetheart on Mazzard rootstock is fast-growing and it would likely not last as long in a pot as the Rainier. https://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/container_growing_fruit.pdf
Pollination of Cherry Trees: I couldn't find consistent information on cross-pollination of Utah Giant and Rainier. It appears that Sweetheart can act as a pollinator for most other varieties but that the bloom times may not coincide with Rainier. You might try contacting the seller and/or the grower of your trees for more information. Below are two links - one to the CSU information about fruit tree pollination, and the other is a WSU link with three different pollen compatibility table (see the Resources section).
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/pollination-of-tree-fruits-7-002/
http://treefruit.wsu.edu/web-article/sweet-cherry-pollination/
Overwintering: The best strategy for now is to plant the trees in containers that are a couple of inches larger than the root balls.
- Pop each tree out of the nursery container. If any are root bound, go 2-3" larger. The new pot should have multiple holes in the bottom for drainage. See the first link above for additional information about potting correctly.
- If you have a open dirt spot in a flowerbed next to your home or another structure, bury the pots in the ground which will provide the best winter protection. Bury them up to the top edge of the pot, then spread a thick layer of leaves over the area for insulation. You can also bury the potted tree in a larger soil-filled pot.
- If you don't have a good way to bury the pots, that's OK too. Find a not-too-sunny spot in a sheltered area next to your house or other structure for the pots to sit for the winter. If below-zero weather is predicted (especially multiple days/nights) you can wrap the pot with towels, blankets, etc. to further protect the root area.
- When the trees begin budding/leafing out in the spring, protect the new growth with a sheet over the top.
