North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>]

> Also see the section on Aronia, Chokeberry in the Purdue document at 
> http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/pdf/v4-324.pdf .

I looked at a lot of different fruit (on the Internet), because I wanted 
to plant a variety. But I'm only interested in fresh eating (and, 
perhaps, some juice if I get too much to eat). Without having a lot of 
room, I guess that nothing makes as much sense as grapes in sunny areas 
and gooseberries (and perhaps currants) in partial shade. (I already 
have a nice patch of black raspberries, but not really enough room for 
another of the brambles.)

Aronia looked interesting, but they didn't appear to taste very good. 
Edible honeysuckle (blue honeysuckle or honeyberry?) fruit very early, 
but this document says they're "extremely susceptible to leaf disease in 
the Midwest" and "it flowers very quickly given warm temperatures and 
can be severely damaged by frost."

I looked at the "hardy" kiwi, but I read that they must acclimate slowly 
to cold weather - they don't like sudden temperature changes. So it 
doesn't appear that the kiwi or the edible honeysuckle would be suited 
to our climate in the Great Plains! The weather can change very rapidly 
here, and we don't normal see anything BUT extremes.

Our local extension service did tell me that "bush cherries" 
(unspecified which kind, exactly) were "hard to grow" around here, and 
I've seen comments that they're not productive enough to make them 
worthwhile. Comments about Jostaberries also indicated that they 
produced relatively few berries - and were mediocre in taste, as well. 
About the only thing still on my "maybe" list is small Amelanchier 
species (Juneberry, Serviceberry, Saskatoon),... but I don't know.

When you get right down to it, grapes and various Ribes (especially 
gooseberries) are probably going to out-produce anything else, are 
delicious fresh, and have a huge selection of different varieties. And 
gooseberries have the added advantage of producing in partial shade. I 
like to try different things, but I'm not sure much else makes sense, 
considering my limitations on space.

Oh, yeah, I should mention that I've planted some 'Crandall' clove or 
buffalo currants. From what I read, they seemed to be a pretty decent 
choice for an "unusual" fruit, though I don't know if they'll be much 
different from other Ribes. Most of them may not get enough light to 
produce well, but I needed to fill a particularly poor spot, so I 
thought I'd give them a try.

Anyway, this is too long, I know, and I apologize. But thanks for the links!

Bill
Lincoln, NE (Zone 5)

--
I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know 
this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great 
respect, they don't even invite me. - Dave Barry