Cultivar 313: Valentine

Valentine is a dwarf sour cherry cultivar documented in prairie cherry comparisons and listed as a recommended variety for northern Manitoba. Manitoba guidance places it in the University of Saskatchewan dwarf sour cherry crop and says it is worth testing in very cold regions. Under that crop guidance, fruit is expected after four to five years, with harvest in mid August or early September. [S5]

The supplied sources do not give Valentine’s direct parentage or a dedicated release note. They do show that it belongs to the newer prairie sour cherry group discussed with Carmine Jewel, Juliet, and Cupid. In University of Saskatchewan field observations, Valentine came through the winter of 2008 to 2009 without damage. One note says Carmine Jewel was less hardy than Juliet, Valentine, and Cupid at that location. [S3] [S4]

The fruit is only lightly described in this packet. A comparison with Juliet says Juliet’s deep burgundy red color is more intense than Valentine’s, which suggests Valentine is red fruited but lighter in color than Juliet. [S4] Manitoba’s dwarf sour cherry guidance says fruit in this group should be picked when bright to dark red and slightly soft. It should be used quickly because it keeps only a couple of days under refrigeration. It is suitable for fresh use after pitting, and for freezing or canning. These are crop level statements, not a cultivar profile for Valentine alone. [S5]

Valentine also appears productive in the prairie breeding context. A 2009 observation reports yields similar to Juliet and Carmine Jewel, with Valentine coming close to full production. [S4] In the provided sources, the clearest reasons Valentine stands out are prairie hardiness, comparable yield, and recommendation for northern Manitoba. Direct parentage, fuller fruit quality notes, and a more detailed origin story remain unresolved in this evidence set.

Summary source basis

• S1: Edible Apples in Prairie Canada
• S2: Nursery Plants Available from South Dakota Nurseries
• S3: Carmine Jewel Notes: Based on observations from 2004 to 2009
• S4: Juliet Notes: Based on observations in 2008 & 2009
• S5: Fruit Crops for Northern Manitoba

This summary currently draws chiefly from Edible Apples in Prairie Canada, with 4 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Offered by Coutts (1991).”
— ^[1]

“No specific cultivar-level performance or hardiness details are supplied for this page.”
— ^[5]

“Considered for introduction by Honeywood, where Porter considered this his best apple.”
— ^[1]

“Listed by South Dakota nursery reference numbers 7, 9, and 36.”
— ^[6]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• No direct breeding_cross claim text yet.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• Valentine (formerly 7-19-27.6) it is our only red fruited cherry. Hardy and productive, it and ‘Cupid’ have bushes a bit larger than our other cherriesRecommended fruit Varieties, p3
• Valentine (formerly 7-19-27.6) it is our only red fruited cherry. Hardy and productive, it and ‘Cupid’ have bushes a bit larger than our other cherriesRecommended fruit Varieties, p3
• Valentine (formerly 7-19-27.6) it is our only red fruited cherry. Hardy and productive, it and ‘Cupid’ have bushes a bit larger than our other cherriesRecommended fruit Varieties, p3
• Valentine (formerly 7-19-27.6) it is our only red fruited cherry. Hardy and productive, it and ‘Cupid’ have bushes a bit larger than our other cherriesRecommended fruit Varieties, p3

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context