02/12/13. Sonja Lallemand ANR Educator Horticulture University of Illinois Extension Serving Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, Williamson Counties

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1 Sonja Lallemand ANR Educator Horticulture University of Illinois Extension Serving Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, Williamson Counties Up to the early part of the 20 th century greater variety of smaller fruits grown on east coast more widely used in the homes Small fruits produced: Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries Although today many people are unfamiliar with the other small fruits Other small fruits could be considered for production 1920 New York State grew 2,700 acres of these fruits In the early 1900s federal and state government ban the cultivation of Gooseberries, currants (white, red and black) Black currants (Ribes nigrum) and white pines (Pinus strobus) are very sensitive to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) Red currants (Ribes rubrum) and American gooseberries (Ribes hirtellum) exhibit varying degrees of susceptibility After WWII major changes in food production 1966 Federal law rescinded 2003 NY laws change 1

2 Mostly produced in Europe Great Britain, Poland, Germany Hungary, France, Netherland Bulgaria, Russia Sales of fresh berries as well as jams, jellies, liqueurs Cultivated since the 13 th century in England By 1925 over 1,000 cultivars in England Brought to America by early settlers Growing conditions not ideal: Susceptibility to American gooseberry mildew Difference in soil Climactic differences Plants are gown in America but not like in Europe Disease resistant cultivars developed American cultivars are more resistant to mildew Produce smaller fruits Plants are healthier and more productive than European varieties Berries ready in July; last well on bush Cultivars Plant vigor Fruit size Quality Color Mildew Resistance Thorns Poorman Very Medium high red very some Downing very Medium excellent green yes some Pixwell ND 1932 Hardy Low 3 Medium good Green - pinkpurple Yes Small Cultivars Fredonia (Indiana) Careless British standard Plant vigor very Fruit size Very Large Quality Color good Dark red Mildew Resistance Thorns Large green x x x Fruits range in color from dark red to pink, yellow, white and beige Continue to sweeten on the bush even after they appear to be in full color Some black currants are mildew resistant 2

3 Cultivars Plant vigor Fruit size White Imperial Color M WPBR Resistance Large Pale yellow X not WPBR Viking Large Red X Consort Black X Crusader Black X Titania Black X M: powdery mildew WPBR: White pine Blister Rust Currants and gooseberries tolerate partial shade Prefer a cool, moist growing area Northern slopes with protection from direct sun are ideal Planting along the side of a building or shady arbor is suitable as well. Avoid sites with poor air circulation (increases the incidence of powdery mildew) Sloping ground alleviates this condition Avoid light-textured, sandy soils Rich, well drained soils that have a high moisture holding capacity are best Incorporate organic matter (compost, peat, or manure) to improve the soil, particularly if it is somewhat sandy The ideal soil ph is about 6.5 Purchase strong, well-rooted plants from a reliable nursery Either one- or two-year-old vigorous stock Better when planted in the early fall or very early in spring, before the plants begin to grow Control weeds with mulch of straw, grass clippings, sawdust, or peat Mulch depth of 6 Mice may infest the area Apply new mulch in spring 3

4 Trellising gooseberries increases air circulation makes fruit easier to harvest allows you to grow more plants in less space Gooseberries are easily propagated through tip layering or stool bedding (mound layering). Currant and gooseberry plants are heavy nitrogen feeders Incorporate manure into the soil before planting Annual top-dressings of composted manure Apply ¼ - 1 / 3 lb. of per plant in fall Avoid fertilizers containing muriate of potash (potassium chloride), leaf scorch. Mulch keeps the soil cool in the summer, retains moisture, and controls weeds Suitable mulches include straw, lawn rakings, composted manure, compost, grass clippings wood chips If you use fresh straw or sawdust, (highcarbon mulches) tie up nitrogen while they decompose. Currants aphids Feed from underside of young leaves toward tip: leaf curl downward, blister Anthracnose and Leaf spots Serious in wet humid years; brown spots and yellowing of leaves, early defoliation. Destroy affected leaves, apply mulch after leaf drop Powdery mildew Problem with European gooseberries. Must treat before berries are affected Destroy and burn affected areas in spring Some dormant oils can help prevent spread San Jose Scales Easily seen on dormant branches; prune and destroy affected branches; some dormant oils may help Currant borers Burrow in pit of currant canes; remove and destroy canes before June 1 Currant stem girdler Immature saw flies eats around the tips of new shoots; cut off tips in May or June Gooseberry fruit worm Handpick infested fruits before larvae move to adjacent fruits 4

5 Jostaberry Ribes nidigrolaria Complex-cross in the Ribes genus R. nigrum, black currant R. divaricatum, black gooseberry R. uva crispa, European gooseberry First commercial cultivar made available in 1977 from Germany Rich berry taste, sweet and satisfying Glossy, smaller than a gooseberry, larger than a black currant Edible raw or cooked Rich in vitamin C Not well suited to mechanical harvest Plants are thornless Cultural requirements are the same as for other currants Flowers are perfect, self-fertile following insect pollination Mid-spring flowering, ripening similar time table as black currant Mature bushes (4 th year) bear heavy crops Very vigorous Does well in most soils with little need for fertilizer or pesticides Mature height of the Jostaberry will be about 4-6 ft. Width 4ft. Plant 5 ft. apart Propagation by cuttings 5

6 Resistant to gooseberry mildew Resistant to white pine blister rust Black currant leaf spot Resistant to big bud gall mite Elderberry native to north America. Blue elderberry (S. cerulea) native to western U.S. Considered once as a ditch weed Not considered for commercial production Used in European countries as nutritional supplements (Sambucus nigra) Today commercial planting in Europe, Chile and the U.S. Commercial elderberry production and market development efforts in the U.S. are currently focused in Missouri and in northern states. In Missouri, small cooperative to generate volumes adequate for small scale processing Concurrent production research (variety trials, pest management, etc...) by the University of Missouri and Missouri State University, Mt Grove Contain high levels of antioxidants Used as an additive to wine, Used for pies, jams and jellies Very hardy to zone 4 Contain more phosphorus and potassium than any other temperate zone fruit Rich in vitamin C Pigment in juice suitable for food colorant use 6

7 Moist, fertile, well-drained soil ph between 5.5 and 6.5 Wide range of soil texture Shallow rooted Easy to propagate hardwood cuttings taken when plants are dormant Root cuttings in March before growth starts Recommendation is to plant at least 2 different cultivars within 60 of each other Virtually pest free Other than annual pruning requires little labor Spreads by rhizomes, layering, and suckers Late bloomer, fruits rarely damaged by late spring frost Incorporate manure and compost before planting Apply additional fertilizer annually in early spring before bud break 1/8 lb. ammonium nitrate for each year of the plant s age, up to 1lb. Per plant Do not tolerate drought, use trickle irrigation, Heavy mulch to conserve soil moisture After first year avoid disturbing the soil to avoid injury to the fibrous root system Combination of weed pulling and mulch Once established, weeds not a problem Late July, August through early September When ripe, harvest entire cluster Freeze cluster, then shake off the berries Uncooked berries are astringent and inedible Difficult to transport because berries shatter easily Generally free of pests Powdery mildew a problem in some years Occasional damage by cane borer 7

8 Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Photograph: University of Kentucky extension publication Asian variety commonly grown commercially Efforts to promote American persimmon Highly astringent fruits are marketed fresh Can also be processed and sold as pulp Value added products: Wine, sherbets, custards, puddings cookies, cakes, ice cream, and preserves Moderate size tree Persimmons are dioecious Require cross pollination Cultivars vary in size, fruit color, and astringency Trees are adaptable from poor sites to river bottoms, partial shade to full sun For best fruit quality budded or grafted trees are preferred Considered pest free of most pests and diseases Few problems with: Persimmon wilt (Cephalosporium diospyri) Psyllid (plant louse) Persimmon borer Fall webworm Bagworm Hickory horned devil Twig girdler 8

9 Cornell Department of Horticulture Minor Fruits Perdue University Cooperative HO-17 CALU Bangor, UK, Gooseberries University of Kentucky Extension: Gooseberries and Currants University of Kentucky Extension: American Persimmon University of Kentucky Extension: Elderberries P Byers, A. Thomas Missouri State University & University of Missouri Elderberry Research and Production in Missouri J. Heyer, Black Currants and Jostaberry Virginia Tech: Persimmon, non-timber forest products, fact sheet no 13 Texas A&M System, Texas Fruit & Nut Production: Persimmon 9