BLOOM FRESH or BLOOM, a breeding table grapes, raisins, and cherries specialist, has announced more research and development for its Cherry program. This includes the continued commercialisation of its early low-chill cherry varietals.
The Global BLOOM Cherry team will host its International Cherry Open Day in Mequinenza, Spain, one of the main cherry production areas, on the 9th and 10th of May this year.
Over 100 growers, retailers, and marketers have been invited to the event, showcasing BLOOM's innovative Cherry program, including varieties such as Cheery Treat, Cheery Nebula, and Cheery Cupid.
The Open Day will take place at several test blocks and commercial fields. Guests will have an opportunity to taste a premium selection of BLOOM's Cherry varieties and gain insights into the innovative program, which includes super low-chill varieties.
On Open Day, Alwyn van Jaarsveld, BLOOM's International Cherry Commercial Manager, and Antonia Sánchez-Labbé, International Technical Manager for Cherries, will discuss the expanded R&D efforts.
Growing cherries has become more challenging with rising temperatures and drier conditions in many parts of the world. BLOOM's low-chill cherry program has expanded the world's cherry crops by allowing new locations, such as Mexico, Western Australia, and Peru, to grow and harvest low-chill cherries.
Most cherry trees require 800-1,000 chill hours of temperatures below 45° Fahrenheit (7.2° Celsius). BLOOM has created varieties of cherries that need less than half that much.
BLOOM also uses modern technologies (non-GMO) to select the best genetic material for the breeding program. Its goal is to combine good growing sites, certified trees, clean wood, excellent rootstock, and suitable varieties, adding different technologies to produce bigger and better fruit and higher yields while withstanding a more adversarial climate.
