This is just an update on cherry trees in SoCal, zone 10.

As we all know this past Winter was much warmer than usual, and the lack of chill definitely seems to be having observable impact on the trees, not for the best.

I grafted a branch of Royal Minnie into the top of a Bing. Last year the tree had already leafed out by mid-Match, but this year it is mid-May and the Bing section of the tree has not leafed out. There are leaves on the Minnie Royal top section but they are not as big and lush as they appeared last year. Last year the Minnie Royal produced some blossoms and even some tiny druplet fruits, but they dropped before they had a chance to ripen.

Then there's a Royal Lee, which has not seemed to do so well the last two years. This year is worse. There are just a few tiny leaflets coming out closer towards the bottom of the the Royal Lee, but mainly there are leafs sprouting out from the rootstock. This is not a good sign, from past experience.

Another Royal Minnie in a big pot, mostly shaded, seems to have leafed out nicely this year. Last year it was prolifically covered in blossoms.

I also tried a Rainier in a pot but it didn't make it. That might partially have been because the soil was not kept watered enough, but I think also it just lacked enough vigor to grow well (being that it's a variety that requires higher chill).