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Reasons and Countermeasures for Low Fruit Setting Rate of Cherry
The blooming period of sweet cherries often coincides with cold, rainy, or frosty conditions, which significantly reduces fruit set. Is this damage entirely unavoidable? Should we reflect and learn from these experiences?
During the flowering stage, the ideal average daily temperature for cherry trees is around 15°C. While flower buds can tolerate temperatures as low as -5°C, blossoms and young fruits are more sensitive, with a tolerance of about -2.8°C. If temperatures drop below -5°C during this critical time, the pistils, petals, flower buds, and even the stems may suffer frost damage, turning brown. However, in most years, the temperatures during cherry bloom rarely fall below 0°C. Typically, they hover between 3°C and 10°C, and in those cases, no visible frost damage occurs on the tree's organs. This suggests that low fruit set is not always caused by frost—there are other factors at play that require careful management.
First, the quality of flower buds plays a crucial role. Cherry flower buds develop rapidly, forming within a short window from when new shoots stop growing until just after harvest. During this time, the tree needs balanced nutrition to support both physiological and morphological differentiation. If the tree lacks essential nutrients, has imbalanced fertilization, suffers from leaf damage, experiences drought or waterlogging, or has poor root activity, it can lead to the abortion of the stigma, making the flowers incapable of producing fruit.
Second, the tree’s overall nutrient reserves are vital. According to *Shandong Fruit Tree*, even under similar low-temperature conditions, trees with strong growth have much lower frost damage compared to weak ones. Trees with insufficient nutrient storage suffer up to 62.3% of their flowers and fruits being damaged by frost. This highlights the importance of proper fertilization, avoiding excessive nitrogen, ensuring good soil aeration, and preventing early leaf drop to maintain adequate reserves for the next season.
Third, pollination issues also contribute to low fruit set. Most cherry varieties have poor self-fertility and rely on cross-pollination. Even with compatible pollinators planted, adverse weather like cold and rain can prevent bees and insects from pollinating effectively. Poor pollination leads to fruit drop and reduced yields.
In conclusion, improving cherry fruit set requires an integrated approach. First, avoid overuse of chemical fertilizers and instead use well-composted manure, biogas-based fertilizers, and high-quality organic materials to enhance soil health and tree vigor. Second, limit nitrogen application in May to prevent excessive shoot growth that affects flower bud quality. Third, focus on building a deep, well-aerated soil layer to promote healthy root development. Fourth, raise the trunk height by 20–30 cm during winter and spring to prevent waterlogging. Fifth, manage irrigation carefully—keep soil moisture between 60% and 70%, and ensure good drainage. Sixth, mulch under trees with 20 cm of grass to regulate temperature and protect roots. Seventh, control pests and diseases to preserve leaf function. Eighth, apply borax (0.3%) during flowering to boost fruit set, and urea afterward to aid nutrient conversion. Ninth, top-dress with organic fertilizer immediately after harvest to support flower bud development. Tenth, apply fermented manure in September to increase nutrient reserves. Finally, use feather dusters for manual pollination during bloom to improve fruit set.