As sour cherries come into full production in prairie orchards, another hardy contender stands waiting in the wings.
The blue honeysuckle, also known as haskap, tastes something like a blueberry and raspberry, explained Bob Bors of the University of Saskatchewan.
He grows a host of varieties sent from Russia and Japan, where haskap is especially popular.
“We are a world leader in breeding,” said Bors, citing the 48 samples he sent overseas for taste evaluations this fall.
“People have been waiting to plant them for us and for us to evaluate ours,” said Bors.
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The plant is easy to grow, has small seeds like those in kiwis, does not send out suckers, bear fruit the year after planting and can be in full production within three years.
Another plus for growers is that they ripen in June, long before other prairie fruits.
Bors said the university harvested the fruit by “whacking the bushes” and letting fruit fall into upside down umbrellas. A saskatoon berry harvester would work well in larger orchards, he said.
The versatile haskap can be used in everything from juice, pies and wines to pastries and candy.
Bors expects Canadians will be slower to accept the new taste that is so popular overseas.
About 100 growers are producing the university’s test varieties to determine their suitability for prairie gardens and orchards. The goal is to narrow it down to about three strong varieties, said Bors.
Hazelnuts are another exciting development in fruit research under way at the university orchard.
Bors is crossing Manitoba and Oregon varieties in hopes of getting a white nut suitable for eating out of hand and for candy manufacturers.
A graduate student is also studying grape breeding on the Prairies.
Fruit research has largely ground to a halt in Saskatchewan since the provincial government disbanded the native fruit program.
For Bors, that means countless hours applying for individual grants for individual projects and many more hours in the orchard pruning, picking and watering.
The Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association remains a strong supporter of the orchard’s work, selling cookbooks to raise money for research.
Alberta growers have also offered their financial support while volunteer labour in the orchard is provided by the Parkland AgroForestry, a group of landowners interested in expanding opportunities in the sector.
