BIGFORK – A prolonged winter is making Flathead cherry season more profitable for cherry growers.
Flathead Cherry Growers Association president Bruce Johnson told MTN News that the longer winter has pushed pollenzation back.
“It’s a little bit later of a pollenization period which for us is a good thing because it means our cherries will be ripening at a later time which is better market wise for us,” Johnson said.
A pushed back pollenization season means the cherry season is also delayed but Johnson says this is a good thing.
The delayed cherry season means Flathead cherries don’t have to compete with Washington state’s cherry season.
“If our cherries are done and people still want cherries, then our cherries are the things to buy and the price goes up,” explains Johnson.
Now with warmer weather, Johnson says cherry trees are getting pollenized. Once pollenized, the cherry blossoms will turn into delicious Flathead cherries.
“You need to have good weather to get that pollen from the stamen to the pistol and the main way to get that done is with bees.”
While the cherry season is later this year Johnson says not to worry. Folks can start buying Flathead cherries in grocery stores and stands in late July and early August.
Reporting by Maren Siu for MTN News
