Simone

Tree Characteristics

• Vigour: Medium to high
• Growth Habit: Upright to spreading, requires structured pruning
• Flowering: Mid to late season
• Pollination: Self-fertile, does not require a polliniser
• Productivity: Good to high when well managed
• Alternate Bearing: Low with appropriate crop load management
• Site Suitability: Best suited to cooler Australian cherry-growing regions with reliable chill accumulation

Grower note: Simone performs best in well-managed blocks where vigour and crop load are carefully balanced to maximise fruit size and firmness.

Fruit Characteristics

• Colour: Dark red to mahogany at maturity
• Colour Timing: Late season
• Finish: Glossy with strong skin strength
• Shape: Large, round to slightly heart-shaped
• Stem: Medium to long, strong attachment
• Eating Quality: Very firm, juicy flesh with a rich, sweet flavour profile

Harvest & Storage

• Harvest Window: Late season, typically after Lapins in Australia
• Picking: Multiple picks may be required to optimise size and colour
• Storability: Good short-term storage potential; suitable for domestic and export supply

Grower note: Later harvest timing supports strong flavour development and premium fruit sizing.

Performance & Management

• Packout: Strong in well-managed orchards, driven by size and firmness
• Thinning: May be required in heavy crop years to maintain fruit size
• Cropping: Reliable with disciplined management
• Canopy Management: Regular pruning required to manage vigour and light distribution
• Pest & Disease: Standard cherry pest and disease management required

Market Advantages

• Large, firm fruit supports premium and export programs
• Late-season harvest extends cherry supply windows
• Strong eating quality and visual appeal
• Well suited to high-value fresh market positioning