Troubleshooting
Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' problems — and how to fix them
Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' (Prunus avium 'Sunburst') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Fruit splitting
Sunburst's soft-skinned cherries split easily when rain follows dry weather at ripening. Keep moisture even and use a wall position or rain cover in damp climates.
Bird damage
Ripening cherries are quickly stripped by birds. Net the compact tree as the fruit colours to protect the crop.
Brown rot
Soft cherries are especially prone to brown rot in warm, wet weather. Remove infected and mummified fruit and prune for an open, airy canopy.
Bacterial canker
Sunken, gummy lesions on bark with leaf shot-holes can girdle branches. Prune in summer in dry weather, cut out cankered wood and keep trees vigorous.
Prevent sweet cherry 'sunburst' problems before they start
Most sweet cherry 'sunburst' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common wild cherry bonsai problems — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' watering schedule
- Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' light requirements
- Best soil mix for sweet cherry 'sunburst'
- Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' temperature & humidity
- Full sweet cherry 'sunburst' care guide
Looking for sweet cherry 'sunburst' in general rather than its problems? Read the full sweet cherry 'sunburst' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Sweet Cherry 'Sunburst' problems — FAQ
Why is my sweet cherry 'sunburst' fruit splitting?
Sunburst's soft-skinned cherries split easily when rain follows dry weather at ripening. Keep moisture even and use a wall position or rain cover in damp climates.
Why is my sweet cherry 'sunburst' bird damage?
Ripening cherries are quickly stripped by birds. Net the compact tree as the fruit colours to protect the crop.
Why is my sweet cherry 'sunburst' brown rot?
Soft cherries are especially prone to brown rot in warm, wet weather. Remove infected and mummified fruit and prune for an open, airy canopy.
Why is my sweet cherry 'sunburst' bacterial canker?
Sunken, gummy lesions on bark with leaf shot-holes can girdle branches. Prune in summer in dry weather, cut out cankered wood and keep trees vigorous.