I have 'Timm' & 'Success' from the late great Bear Creek Nursery, and
another suckery selection from a local landscape nursery. Got an average of
5" growth in 10 years, then I started fertilizing w/ lime, I think the bag
says hydrated lime, a tablespoon in a gallon of water per plant once per
year. They now display noticeable expansion, but not impressive.
I see native Amels in the local woods, only one or 2 per woodlot, the small
tree species. Haven't ever noticed fruit on these.
Would like to try adapted selections, as I like the fruit.
I should have noted in a previous posting, hardy grapes also do OK here, but
they need a little better care & trellisses than I currently supply.
Raccoons & fruit worms get most of the grapes.
----Original Message Follows----
From: Lon Rombough <>
To: North American Fruit Explorers <>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Re: nafex Digest, Vol 21, Issue 69
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 15:59:10 -0700
If you planted the Canadian varieties of Amelanchier, they don't grow
because of an adaptation they have to the cold prairie climates. They have
a "burst" growth habit in which they do all their growing fast, early in the
season. By the first of July (more or less) they will set buds and you can
fertilize and water up the yazoo and never get them to budge.
This is one reason that we really need to have people go out and explore the
LOCAL Amelanchier for other selections, to get types with better local
adaptation. There are species of Amelanchier over most of North America
and all have decently edible fruit, though some are better than others.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at
http://www.bunchgrapes.com Winner of the Garden Writers Association "Best
Talent in Writing" award for 2003.
On Oct 30, 2004, at 10:31 AM, tanis cuff wrote:
Amelanchiers don't want to grow-- probably a soil pH/nutrient fault.