Washington State University Cherry Cultivar Releases




Olympus
Parents: Lambert x Van
Cross made in 1966 by Tom Toyama.
Tested as PC6659-2.

Olympus sweet cherry Olympus sweet cherry

U.S. Plant Patent (#8033) and trademark assigned to Washington State University Research Foundation
and licensed in North America to the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute.

      Olympus is a mid-to-late-season dark red sweet cherry. Similar to Bing in appearance and often with a pronounced dorsal rib, the fruit is large in size, with a mahogany red skin and dark red flesh. It ripens 4 to 6 days after Bing (just ahead of Lapins), and has very good firmness and a mild flavor. The susceptibility to rain-induced cracking is somewhat less than Bing.

     Olympus produces a tree that is more spreading than Bing. It flowers precociously and profusely, and crop productivity is very good. Olympus begins blooming several days after Bing, a valuable trait to reduce the potential for spring frost damage. It is self-infertile; known cross-pollinizers include Sam and Lambert. Olympus is incompatible with Van, Regina and Cristalina. Pollen compatibility Group II (S1S3). The chilling requirement is not yet known.

     Production and compatibility of Olympus on rootstocks other than Mazzard is unknown at this time. Olympus is susceptible to powdery mildew.