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Get to know Sage Fruit Company as we take you through the process of growing, packing and shipping the world’s best apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots & nectarines.
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Why are there so many “Siamese twin” cherries produced in your orchard? I found 9 in my bag purchased at Safeway in Washington, DC. PLU#4045.
Hi CJ,
Doubles are not all that uncommon, but can typically be sorted out with our technology. Some varieties are more susceptible than others, including Bings. It sounds like in this instance, there was a higher than normal percentage that made it into your bag of cherries.
The doubles in your bag of cherries this year are actually a result of excessive heat in an orchard LAST YEAR after the cherries had been harvested. Essentially, the heat caused 2 female reproductive systems to form in one flower this year. A perfect double is when a bee pollinates both of them; an imperfect double is when only one of them is pollinated, which you wouldn’t necessarily see in a pack. We actually use over head cooling for about 4 weeks after harvest on some varieties, if it becomes extremely hot, to help prevent doubles from forming the following year.
Here are a couple of articles that might help explain in a little more detail:
Good Fruit Grower
The Produce Nerd