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Asenova rana


It is the first Yugoslav sweet cherry cultivar derived from a cross of 'Drogan's Yellow' and 'Majova rana' in 1974. It was named and released in 1984. The breeder was prof. Dr. Asen Stančević, after whom it was named.


The tree is medium vigorous to vigorous and spreading. The trunk is upright and strong, grey-ash. The crown is loose, with strong, somewhat widely branched main branches. Fruiting spurs and long fruiting branches with numerous fruit buds at base predominate. The flower buds are plump, long-conical, grey-brown. Vegetative buds are acute and medium-sized. The leaf is medium large to large, long-oval, serrated. The petiole has two pink-red leaf glands. The flower is regular, hermaphrodite, with large and white petals. Flowers mid-early. The best pollinators are sweet cherries 'Lyons', 'Rivers Early', 'Van', 'Stella' and 'Bing' are its best pollinators. It produces abundant pollen of good germinating ability. Fruits early, bearing heavily and regularly. It is not susceptible to the causal agents of the most serious pests and diseases, with tolerance to frost and drought.


The fruit is medium large to large, averaging 6.5−7g, blunt cordate shape, with yellow ground color blushed red over the whole surface. Dimensions: height – 20.3 mm; width – 23.3 mm; thickness – 20.3 mm. The skin is tender, soft, smooth. The suture is unpronounced. The flesh is whitish yellow, transparent, crisp and juicy, sweet-subacid, with pleasant aroma. The juice is colorless. It contains 15% soluble solids, 0.7% acids and 11.6% total sugars. The stone is small, roundish, broadened on sides, accounting for about 5% of the whole fruit weight. The stalk is medium long, thin, green, set in a shallow stalk cavity. The percentage of cracked fruits ranges from 30 to 50.


Ripens at the end of the second week of sweet cherry ripening season, early June, 2-3 days after 'Lyon'.


A high-quality sweet cherry cultivar with limited distribution. Due to its susceptibility to bruising at harvest and transport it is recommended for growing in the vicinity of market centers. Should be carefully picked in a small packages.

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