North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

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:
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1-877-265-6856 (Toll Free)
1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)