North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Ernest Plutko" <ernestplutko@wiktel.com>]

Was there rampant growth in Alabama?  I saw the plant database
previously but I have never seen R armeniacus growing in the East or
Midwest.  Maybe I should say I never recognized any. I did see robust
blackberries growing in a vacant lot a little north of St Paul. Mn. 
They grew in arches about 15 feet long and had thick, thorny canes. 
They had fairly sparse, tasty blackberries.  I took a few small
plants 300 miles north to grow but they died over the first winter. 
I'm wondering if they were Himalayan blackberries. The only native
blackberries I have seen in Minnesota were small spindly canes with
poor quality fruit.
---- Original Message ----
From: phainopepla@yahoo.com
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Himalayan blackberries
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:16:59 -0700 (PDT)

>Yes, I have seen Himalayan blackberry growing in
>Alabama last summer while on a plant collecting trip. 
>In fact, the USDA plants database shows it as being
>somewhat widespread across the US and even into
>Ontario: 
>
>http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=Rubus+armeniacus&;
>mode=sciname&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
>
>I think part of the reason why it grows so rampantly
>out here is our climate, but it is also just an
>incredibly vigorous and difficult to control plant.
>
>As for flavor, it is ok but definitely lacking.  I
>find that blackberry flavor is a matter of taste
>depending on what you are accustomed to.  I used to
>like them and still eat a few on occasion but I much
>prefer the cultivated trailing cultivars such as
>Cascade, Silvan, and Marion.  They have a more intense
>and balanced flavor profile than does R. armeniacus.
>
>Michael
>
>
>--- Ernest Plutko <ernestplutko@wiktel.com> wrote:
>
>> It seems to be unclear where this species came from.
>>  The Internet
>> suggests Armenia, Europe, India or the Himalayas. 
>> Seems to be hardy
>> to zone 5.  Some people like the berry and some
>> don't.  I never ate
>> one so I don't have an opinion.  Have you seen the
>> Himalayan
>> blackberry grow anywhere else in the US except the
>> West Coast.  Maybe
>> the rampant growth on the West Coast is do to the
>> weather there?
>> 
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>
>
>Michael Dossett
>Corvallis, Oregon
>www.Mdossettphoto.com
>phainopepla@yahoo.com
>
>
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