Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

nafex - [NAFEX] Cloudberry availability and propagation

nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>
  • To: "NAFEX" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Cloudberry availability and propagation
  • Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 09:32:46 -0600

Sarah Ewing asked, "I'm wondering if anyone on here knows anything about Cloudberries. I'm also looking for a commercial source for Cloudberry plants or seeds.?
AND
Ernest Plutko wrote, "About five years ago I saw cloudberry plants for sale in a herb garden nursery a little north of Minneapolis. I don't remember name of nursery or if it still in business. I didn't buy any because I understand they are very difficult or impossible to grow south of their natural range."


I did some extensive research into Cloudberries a few years ago and here is what I learned: Ernest, that nursery in Minneapolis has no trouble growing their cloudberry plant but they told me that they only have male plants that they propagate from cuttings. I scoured Alaskan nurseries for plants or seeds but all I received was disappointment.
An officer from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that a few plants have established themselves in the "Arrowhead" of Minnesota but their location is kept secret.
Whether Cloudberry will thrive this far South seems to depend upon where they came from, perhaps like Rubus arcticus, the Groundcover Raspberry that Hartmann Plant Company sells. I bought some but they go into hibernation when they bloom which coincides with the first warm Summer days here in Minnesota. We have an almost identical species, R. triflorus that I sent to Hartmann suggesting he see it instead. So, may I infer that if Cloudberries are to thrive here is the lower 48, it depends upon where you got the plants or seed from?
With that in mind, I encountered a NAFEXer from the Maritimes and he sent me some seed (Canadians call it "Bakeapple") which I planted. That was back in 2006 and they have yet to sprout. Cloudberry seeds require more than a one season stratification. I planted them in acid ground where my Lingonberries grow. Maybe some will sprout this coming Spring.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
For jams, jellies, syrups and more:
www.jellygal.com
1-877-265-6856 (Toll Free)
1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page