Sweet cherry Francis

This variety originated at the end of the 19th century, according to the prevailing version, developed in Czechoslovakia by pomologist I. Proch. It has been recommended for the North Caucasus region since 1974.

A vigorous tree with a sparse, broadly oval crown. Leaves are large (150 x 75 mm), oval or inversely egg-shaped, with medium-length petioles (27 mm), thick and with anthocyanin tint. Flowers usually occur in clusters of 3, 30 mm, with oval petals, a cup-shaped calyx, and a style rising above the stamens.

Fruits are large, weighing 6–7 g, broadly heart-shaped, with a wide, spacious cavity, cream-yellow with a bright red blush covering 3/4 of the fruit surface. Flesh is firm, slightly fibrous, light yellow, with an excellent harmonious flavor. Contains: dry matter 17.6%, sugars 12.9%, free acids 0.6%, ascorbic acid 5.6 mg/100 g fresh weight. Stone is medium-sized (10.5 x 8.5 x 6.5 mm), weighing 0.4 g, semi-detached, oval or broadly egg-shaped, making up 6% of the fruit’s total mass. Pedicel is medium-length (34 mm), fairly thick and firmly attached to the fruit.

Plants begin fruiting at 5 years of age. Flowering occurs early, fruit ripening in mid-season (third decade of June). Best pollenizer varieties include Geydelphingen, Bigarreau Gouche, Bigarreau Grélo, Drogana Yellow, Denisena Yellow, Golden, Jaboule, Däber Black, Cassina Early. The variety exhibits satisfactory winter hardiness: at -24°C, 52% of flower buds are damaged, with no wood frost damage observed. In severe winters, damage to trunks and scaffold branches is noted. Average disease damage: coccomycosis — 2.5 (max. 4), moniliosis — 1.0 (max. 3), clasterosporiosis — 2.1 points (max. 3).

The variety has high potential productivity: in Crimea, the average yield per tree over 9 years of full fruiting was 113 kg, with a maximum of 249 kg. In the foothills of the North Caucasus, the maximum yield per tree at 12 years of age was 30 kg. On Ukraine, trees yield 60–70 kg of fruit.

Francis is an excellent commercial variety; its fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and produce high-quality processed products. They are suitable for transportation.

Advantages: high-quality marketable fruits, high productivity, good transportability, good winter hardiness of vegetative organs.

Disadvantages: during wet ripening seasons, fruits tend to crack and are susceptible to gray mold.