The BBCH-scale (stone) identifies the phenological development stages of stone fruit (cherry = Prunus cerasus, plum = Prunus domestica ssp. domestica, peach = Prunus persica, apricot = Prunus armeniaca). It is a plant species specific version of the BBCH-scale.
Phenological growth stages and BBCH-identification keys of stone fruitCodeDescriptionPrincipal growth stage 0: Sprouting/Bud development00 Dormancy: leaf buds and the thicker inflorescence buds closed and covered by dark brown scales01 Beginning of bud swelling (leaf buds); light brown scales visible, scales with light coloured edges03 End of leaf bud swelling: scales separated, light green bud sections visible09 Green leaf tips visible: brown scales fallen, buds enclosed by light green scalesPrincipal growth stage 1: Leaf development10 First leaves separating: green scales slightly open, leaves emerging11 First leaves unfolded, axis of developing shoot visible19 First leaves fully expandedPrincipal growth stage 3: Shoot development131 Beginning of shoot growth: axes of developing shoots visible32 Shoots about 20% of final length33 Shoots about 30% of final length3 . Stages continuous till ...39 Shoots about 90% of final lengthPrincipal growth stage 5: Inflorescence emergence51 Inflorescence buds swelling: buds closed, light brown scales visible53 Bud burst: scales separated, light green bud sections visible54 Inflorescence enclosed by light green scales, if such scales are formed (not all cultivars)55 Single flower buds visible (still closed) borne on short stalks, green scales slightly open56 Flower pedicel elongating; sepals closed; single flowers separating57 Sepals open: petal tips visible; single flowers with white or pink petals (still closed)59 Most flowers with petals forming a hollow ballPrincipal growth stage 6: Flowering60 First flowers open61 Beginning of flowering: about 10% of flowers open62 About 20% of flowers open63 About 30% of flowers open64 About 40% of flowers open65 Full flowering: at least 50% of flowers open, first petals falling67 Flowers fading: majority of petals fallen69 End of flowering: all petals fallenPrincipal growth stage 7: Development of fruit71 Ovary growing; fruit fall after flowering72 Green ovary surrounded by dying sepal crown, sepals beginning to fall73 Second fruit fall75 Fruit about half final size76 Fruit about 60% of final size77 Fruit about 70% of final size78 Fruit about 80% of final size79 Fruit about 90% of final sizePrincipal growth stage 8: Maturity of fruit and seed81 Beginning of fruit colouring85 Colouring advanced87 Fruit ripe for picking89 Fruit ripe for consumption: fruit have typical taste and firmnessPrincipal growth stage 9: Senescence, beginning of dormancy91 Shoot growth completed; foliage still fully green92 Leaves begin to discolour93 Beginning of leaf fall95 50% of leaves discoloured or fallen97 All leaves fallen99 Harvested product
1 From terminal bud
References
External links A downloadable version of the BBCH Scales