One for the gardeners out there

dickm · 4 Aug 2015

Has anyone tried growing the Saskatoon berry, Amelanchier alnifolia? They were being touted some five or six years ago as being a better and more productive substitute for blueberries. So muggins got some seed and now, after 5 years, has six (very) small bushes. They are a complete pig to grow and die at the least excuse. One has finally managed to flower and set fruit; the berries are.........
...... awful. No taste, full of pip and a total waste of time.
I suppose it could be that there is big variation in the bushes when they come from seed, and when some of the others fruit they may be better, or it could be the season. Anyone had better experience to reassure me before I grub up the lot?

Alexam · 5 Aug 2015

It prefers to live in Canada, so our climate may not suit it. http://www.canadasfood.com/history_prod ... erries.php

dickm · 5 Aug 2015

Alexam":263k7sxi said:
It prefers to live in Canada, so our climate may not suit it

Not a lot to choose between Aberdeen and Canada

blackrodd · 5 Aug 2015

I just mugged up on wikipedia and it looks possible you're fruit isn't ripe yet as states "With a sweet,& nutty taste"
And ripening in "late summer".
Regards Rodders

gregmcateer · 5 Aug 2015

blackrodd":2412gqp1 said:
I just mugged up on wikipedia and it looks possible you're fruit isn't ripe yet as states "With a sweet,& nutty taste"
And ripening in "late summer".
Regards Rodders

Summer?
In Aberdeen?
Are you competely mad!?!

blackrodd · 5 Aug 2015

Well, they get a summer in Saskatchewan apparently, so why not in Scotland, I ax.
Rodders

whiskywill · 6 Aug 2015

I feel the same way about my Jostaberry bush which is a cross between a gooseberry and a blackcurrant. It takes up a lot of space, gives far less fruit than a normal gooseberry or blackcurrant and doesn't taste particularly nice off the bush.

dickm · 6 Aug 2015

Asking some local experts, it sounds like there is big variation between individual varieties of the saskatoon. Mine were from seed, not named variety, so quite possible the first one to fruit is a dud. Maybe, just maybe, some of the others will be better, and will give it another season to see if it's down to this freaky (even for Aberdeen) summer. Oddly, raspberries, blackcurrants and some gooseberries are fruiting like there's no tomorrow. Almost too many strawberries, too.