Merton Glory Sweet Cherry
Pollination & Compatibility Guide
Merton Glory cherry pollination guide: S-genotype (S4S6, Group XVII), compatible pollinizers (Van, Bing, Stella), bloom overlap, and orchard management.
Merton Glory is Self-Incompatible (Needs 1 Partner)
Merton Glory carries alleles S4S6 (Incompatibility Group XVII). Fully compatible with Groups I (S1S2), II (S1S3), III (S3S4) and other groups not sharing S4 or S6; also sets reliably with universal S4' donors (Stella, Lapins). Merton Glory needs at least one compatible pollinizer from bloom group 2–4 to set a reliable crop.
- S-Genotype / Genetics
- S4S6 (Group XVII)
- Required Companions
- 1 Compatible Partner
- Bloom Group
- Group 3 (Mid-Spring)
- Harvest Timing
- Mid Season
Flowering Period & Overlap Window
Sweet and sour cherry flowering periods are classified into numbered bloom groups (1 through 5). Cross-pollination requires overlapping bloom timing between genetically compatible cultivars.
Any compatible cherry cultivar flowering within Group 2 to 4 provides matching blossom overlap.
Compatible Pollination Partners (20)
| Cultivar | Bloom Group | Overlap Type | Harvest | Primary Uses | Interactive Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid-Late | Fresh Eating, Canning | Test Cross | |
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid | Canning, Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating, Dessert | Test Cross | |
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
SelahGuideUniversal Donor | Group 3 | Full Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross |
StellaGuideUniversal Donor | Group 3 | Full Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating, All-Purpose | Test Cross |
SunburstGuideUniversal Donor | Group 3 | Full Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross |
| Group 3 | Adjacent Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 3 | Full Overlap | Mid | Fresh Eating, Canning | Test Cross | |
Attika | Group 4 | Adjacent Overlap | Late | Fresh Eating | Test Cross |
| Group 2 | Adjacent Overlap | Early | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 2 | Full Overlap | Early | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 2 | Full Overlap | Early | Fresh Eating | Test Cross | |
| Group 2 | Full Overlap | Early-Mid | Fresh Eating | Test Cross |
Incompatible Varieties & Exclusions (3)
These cherry varieties overlap in flowering time with Merton Glory but cannot fertilise it due to shared S-allele genetic incompatibility groups.
Utah Giant's S-genotype is not recorded. For this crop compatibility is computed from S-alleles, so it cannot be offered as a partner without one.
Vibrant's S-genotype is not recorded. For this crop compatibility is computed from S-alleles, so it cannot be offered as a partner without one.
Vindskörsbär (Victor)'s S-genotype is not recorded. For this crop compatibility is computed from S-alleles, so it cannot be offered as a partner without one.
Merton Glory Pomology & S-Allele Cross-Compatibility
Merton Glory is a celebrated English white-fleshed sweet cherry bred at the John Innes Horticultural Institute in Merton during the 1930s from a cross of Ursula Rivers × Noble. It produces exceptionally large, heart-shaped cherries with pale cream-yellow skin overlaid by an attractive bright crimson blush. The flesh is tender, juicy, and sweet with a mild, aromatic flavour, making it a standout selection for direct-market growers and estate orchards seeking high fresh-eating quality.
Genotypically, Merton Glory carries the S4S6 allele combination, placing it squarely in Incompatibility Group XVII. Because it possesses the gametophytic self-incompatibility mechanism, it is self-sterile and cannot set fruit with its own pollen or with other Group XVII selections. However, its S4S6 genotype makes it cross-compatible with most traditional commercial cultivars, including Group I (S1S2), Group II (S1S3, such as Van), and Group III (S3S4, such as Bing or Merchant), as well as universal S4′ donors like Stella, Lapins, and Sunburst.
Merton Glory blooms in mid-spring (Bloom Group 3), coinciding reliably with the peak flowering window of many mid-season sweet cherries. Trees are moderately vigorous with an open, spreading growth habit that encourages fruitful spur formation. While productive, its delicate, thin skin makes the fruit susceptible to rain cracking and bird damage near harvest, requiring diligent canopy protection and prompt handling to capture top packouts.
Key Orchard Considerations for Merton Glory
Performs well on semi-dwarfing Gisela 5 or Colt rootstocks to moderate natural tree vigour and accelerate early spur precocity. Maintain an open-centre or steep-leader canopy to ensure uniform light penetration across fruiting wood.
Shows moderate susceptibility to bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae) and fruit split following late-season rainfall. Apply protective copper bactericides during autumn leaf-fall and establish overhead rain covers or netting where feasible.
Ripens early-to-mid season, slightly ahead of Bing. Because the tender, white flesh bruises easily and displays handling marks, pick fruit with stems intact and prioritise local farm-gate sales or short-haul direct marketing over bulk shipping.
Take Merton Glory from Planning to Planting
Use Kropigo's free browser tools to model your block density, tree counts, and pollinizer rows, then maintain permanent orchard records row by row.
Pollination Checker
Check Merton Glory against supported cultivars with compatible flowering and pollination data.
Commercial Block Planner
Calculate high-density tree spacing, row geometry, and establishment costs.
Block Record Keeping
Track pruning, chemical thinning, and harvest tallies block by block from the orchard.