Winter's Whisper to Spring: The Science of Chill Portions for Cherries

At Chinchiolo Farming Co., Inc., our cherry orchards silently prepare for the vibrant days of spring, guided by an essential winter metric: chill portions.

From November 1st, our weather station has been recording these chill portions - a critical measure of winter's chill that ensures our cherry trees are ready for their spring debut. Chill portions are vital; they track the cold hours necessary for our trees to rest properly before waking up to bloom.

As winter progresses and these chill portions accumulate to a specific level, it signals that the trees are sufficiently rested and ready for a gentle nudge towards awakening. This is where our careful application of Dormex comes into play, an organic agent that dries out the fruiting buds and activates the tree's vascular system. It's a crucial step for us, leading to an earlier and more consistent harvest.

In our approach to cherry farming, we also use a special fertilizer in separate parts of the orchard, not in conjunction with Dormex. While Dormex works to dry out the buds and kickstart the tree's internal systems, the fertilizer is applied later and simply aids bud development.  The fertilizer is a bit less effective at developing earlier fruit, yet still provides the advantage of uniform bloom and cherry development. This dual approach allows us to manage the timing of our crop's maturity more effectively, helping to hedge against damage from frost and rain, and extending the availability of our cherries for you.

By using these materials in distinct sections, we ensure that each part of our orchard receives exactly what it needs to thrive. This strategic application is part of our commitment to bring you the best cherries, both in taste and quality, as efficiently as nature allows.