Cristalina2 Production Experience: Developed at the Summerland Research Station and released in 1996. Trees planted several years ago in The Dalles have cropped for several years.
Fruit: Harvest timing is approximately 5 days before Bing. Cristalina produces large, firm fruit averaging 10 to 9 row in size. The fruit is Bing-like with a dark red skin and flesh. The flavor is moderately sweet, but flat tasting, with a little less acid than Bing. It is tolerant to rain splitting. Considered by Dr. Frank Kappel of Agriculture Canada as the best early cherry from the Summerland breeding program.
Bloom: Self-infertile, compatibility Group II (S1S3). In 2000 it bloomed a few days after Bing in The Dalles test plot. Potential pollinizers include Bing, Rainier, Skeena, Tieton and Black Republican.
Rootstock: I have found Cristalina to be precocious in The Dalles and the tree is said to be productive. For this reason, precocious and productive rootstocks may not be needed or advised. 2Information provided, in part, from Cherry Catalogue, Frank Kappel and Richard MacDonald, Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, B.C., Canada.