1. Pre-Bloom (Bud Swell to Flower Bud Development)
What’s happening inside the tree?
As cherry trees emerge from dormancy, buds begin to swell and flower structures develop rapidly in preparation for bloom. Root activity resumes, allowing the uptake of water and nutrients to support both early shoot growth and the development of flower buds. At this stage, the tree relies on stored carbohydrate reserves accumulated during the previous season while progressively increasing photosynthetic activity as new leaves emerge. The number and quality of flower buds established during this period have a direct influence on the tree’s potential crop.
Natural hormonal activity
Gibberellins promote the development of flower buds and the expansion of new shoots, while cytokinins stimulate active cell division within developing buds. Auxins coordinate the growth of emerging vegetative tissues, helping balance canopy development with reproductive growth as the tree prepares for flowering.
Why are amino acids important?
As dormant buds become metabolically active, amino acids contribute to the rapid production of proteins and enzymes required for flower bud development and new tissue formation. They also support the transition from reserve mobilisation to active growth as the tree prepares for the reproductive phase.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Nitrogen supports the production of new leaves and shoots, establishing the photosynthetic canopy needed to sustain flowering and fruit development.
Boron contributes to the development of healthy flower buds and reproductive tissues, preparing the tree for successful pollination and fruit set.
Zinc supports enzyme activity and the synthesis of natural growth regulators involved in bud break, shoot development and early canopy establishment.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program during pre-bloom complements the tree’s transition from dormancy to active growth. AminoKelp Citrus Doctor, applied together with Xtend®, provides biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition to complement the physiological processes associated with flower bud development, early canopy establishment and the preparation for a productive flowering period.
2. Fruit Set (Petal Fall)
What’s happening inside the tree?
Following successful pollination and fertilisation, developing cherries begin the first stage of fruit growth, characterised by rapid cell division within the young fruit. This is one of the most critical periods of the season, as the number of cells formed during this stage largely determines the fruit’s potential size at harvest. At the same time, the tree begins allocating increasing amounts of carbohydrates, water and nutrients towards the developing crop while continuing to support new leaf growth.
Natural hormonal activity
Auxins and gibberellins produced by the developing seeds stimulate early fruit growth, while cytokinins promote active cell division within the young cherries. Together, these naturally occurring hormones coordinate fruit establishment and the transition from flowering to active fruit development.
Why are amino acids important?
During fruit set, developing cherries undergo an intense period of cell division that requires a continuous supply of proteins and metabolic compounds. Amino acids contribute to the synthesis of these essential compounds, supporting the rapid formation of new cells that establish the fruit’s growth potential during the earliest stage of development.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Boron supports pollen tube growth and fertilisation, contributing to successful fruit set and the establishment of a uniform crop.
Calcium is essential for the formation of new cell walls during rapid cell division, supporting healthy fruit development from the earliest stages.
Potassium assists in transporting carbohydrates from the leaves to the developing fruit, supplying the energy required for active cell division and early fruit growth.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program immediately after petal fall complements the tree’s increased physiological demand as fruit becomes established. AminoKelp Citrus Doctor, applied together with Xtend®, provides biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition to complement the physiological processes associated with fruit set, early cell division and the establishment of a uniform, high-quality cherry crop.
3. Early Fruit Development
What’s happening inside the tree?
During early fruit development, cherries enter a period of rapid growth as cell expansion becomes the dominant process following the earlier phase of cell division. The developing fruit becomes the tree’s primary sink for carbohydrates, water and nutrients, while the canopy reaches peak photosynthetic activity to support this increasing demand. Fruit size, uniformity and overall quality are strongly influenced by the tree’s physiological performance during this stage.
Natural hormonal activity
Auxins and gibberellins continue to regulate fruit enlargement by promoting normal cell expansion, while cytokinins maintain metabolic activity within the developing fruit. Together, these naturally occurring hormones coordinate the transition from fruit establishment to rapid fruit growth.
Why are amino acids important?
As cherries enlarge, the tree directs a significant proportion of its resources towards the developing fruit. Amino acids contribute to the metabolic processes associated with cell expansion, enzyme activity and the movement of assimilates into the fruit, supporting steady fruit growth while maintaining healthy canopy function.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Potassium plays a major role in transporting carbohydrates into the developing cherries, supporting fruit enlargement and the accumulation of sugars.
Calcium contributes to the development of strong cell walls and healthy fruit tissues, helping maintain fruit firmness and quality as cherries expand.
Magnesium supports chlorophyll production and efficient photosynthesis, ensuring a continuous supply of carbohydrates to meet the high energy demand of the developing crop.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program during early fruit development complements the tree’s increased physiological demand as cherries undergo rapid enlargement. AminoKelp Citrus Doctor, applied together with Xtend®, provides biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition to complement the physiological processes associated with fruit growth, carbohydrate allocation and the development of high-quality cherries.
4. Post-Harvest
What’s happening inside the tree?
Once the fruit has been harvested, cherry trees remain physiologically active. The canopy continues photosynthesising, allowing the tree to replenish carbohydrate reserves within the roots, trunk and branches. At the same time, root growth remains active and flower buds for the following season continue to develop. The tree is effectively investing in the resources required to support vigorous growth, flowering and fruit production in the next season.
Natural hormonal activity
Following harvest, hormonal activity shifts away from fruit development and towards reserve accumulation and perennial tissue maintenance. Auxins continue to support root growth, while cytokinins contribute to maintaining healthy leaf function and root activity. These naturally occurring hormones help coordinate the storage of carbohydrates and the continued development of buds that will become next season’s flowers.
Why are amino acids important?
Following harvest, the tree redirects its metabolism towards rebuilding internal reserves rather than producing fruit. Amino acids contribute to the synthesis of storage proteins and metabolic compounds that support reserve accumulation, root activity and the continued development of perennial tissues before dormancy.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Nitrogen supports the continued production of functional leaf tissue, allowing the canopy to remain photosynthetically active and replenish carbohydrate reserves before leaf fall.
Potassium contributes to the movement of carbohydrates from the leaves into permanent storage tissues, supporting reserve accumulation for the following growing season.
Phosphorus supports energy transfer and continued root growth, helping the tree efficiently store nutrients and prepare for the next cycle of growth.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program after harvest complements the tree’s physiological transition from fruit production to reserve replenishment. AminoKelp Citrus Doctor, applied together with Xtend®, provides biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition to complement the physiological processes associated with carbohydrate storage, root activity and the preparation of healthy, productive trees for the following season.
5. Conclusion
Successful cherry production depends on matching nutrition with the tree’s changing physiological requirements throughout the growing season. From the transition out of dormancy through flowering, fruit development and post-harvest reserve accumulation, each stage presents unique metabolic and nutritional demands that influence both the current crop and the productivity of the following season.
The GrowGreen cherry program has been developed around these physiological principles, combining AminoKelp Citrus Doctor with Xtend® to provide biological and mineral nutrition at the stages when the tree’s demand is greatest. By aligning applications with key developmental phases, growers can adopt a consistent, science-based nutrition strategy that complements normal tree physiology and supports healthy, productive orchards year after year.