Tiny Green Buds and the Journey to Juicy Cherries

It is a pretty special time out here on the orchard. The petals have fallen, the bees have packed up their hives, and now we are into the next exciting phase of the season. Those tiny green buds you see on the trees might not look like much now, but they are the very beginnings of what will become some of the sweetest and juiciest cherries in New Zealand.

After a successful pollination period (shoutout to our friends at Taylor Pass Honey), each blossom starts to change. The petals drop and what is left behind is the ovary of the flower, which slowly begins to swell and take shape. Over the next couple of months, those small green dots will grow, darken and ripen into the rich red or golden fruit we all know and love. Right now, we are in what is known as the green fruit stage, which is basically nature laying the groundwork for a good harvest.

Weather plays a big role at this stage too. What we need now is some solid spring heat and plenty of Central Otago sunshine to give the trees the boost they need. Warmer days mean the sugars start to develop and the fruit begins to colour. Every day from here brings us closer to that magic moment where we can start picking. Watching these cherries grow never gets old. From the first signs of blossom to the first taste of a fully ripened cherry, it is a journey we feel lucky to be part of every year.

So if you have not already, now is the perfect time to secure your box for the season ahead. Harvest is just around the corner, and trust us, these cherries will be worth the wait.

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👉 Order your cherries now

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