Lapins

Tree Characteristics

• Vigour: Medium to high
• Growth Habit: Upright to spreading, vigorous when young
• Flowering: Mid season
• Pollination: Self-fertile, does not require a polliniser
• Productivity: High
• Alternate Bearing: Low
• Site Suitability: Well suited to major Australian cherry-growing regions with adequate chill and good spring conditions

Grower note: Lapins’ self-fertility and strong cropping make it a dependable backbone variety in commercial cherry orchards.

Fruit Characteristics

• Colour: Dark red to mahogany when fully mature
• Colour Timing: Mid to late season
• Finish: Glossy with good skin strength
• Shape: Large, round to slightly heart-shaped
• Stem: Medium to long, strong attachment
• Eating Quality: Firm, juicy flesh with a sweet flavour profile

Harvest & Storage

• Harvest Window: Mid to late season, typically after Bing in Australia
• Picking: Multiple picks may be required to maximise size and colour
• Storability: Good short-term storage; suitable for domestic and export programs

Grower note: Harvest timing is important to balance size, firmness, and flavour while minimising cracking risk.

Performance & Management

• Packout: Strong due to large fruit size and firmness
• Thinning: May be required in heavy crop years to maintain size
• Cropping: Very productive, requires active crop load management
• Canopy Management: Regular pruning needed to manage vigour and maintain light penetration
• Pest & Disease: Standard cherry management required; monitor closely for cracking in wet seasons

Market Advantages

• Large fruit size supports strong retail and export appeal
• Reliable yields suit commercial production
• Self-fertile flowering simplifies orchard design
• Well-recognised variety with broad market acceptance