![]() In commercial orchards, we would advise planting alternate rows rather than mixing the rows and would group the rows per Honeyberry harvest groupings – Early, Mid, Late, and Very Late. We have also found that Brix levels tend to be higher with greater balanced varietal plantings. This creates a well balanced and diverse natural orchard, with luxury pollination, above average fruit set and excellent yields. We recommend four to six cultivars (planted in equal number) per acre depending on the size of the orchard. ![]() Ideal Honeyberry pollinators include Bumblebees, Hive or Honeybees (one hive per acre) and other native or local bees. To obtain a healthy harvest, it is accepted two or more cultivars must be planted together for cross-pollination. Honeyberry flowers are hermaphrodite and are most self-incompatible. The third problem of spring or summer planting is that it disturbs the natural growth of the plant with in many cases a loss of seasonal growth resulting in a poor yield after the first year of harvest. The Honeyberry plant will become over stressed, which it opens the plant up to disease and further lowers the quality of yields, the life of the plant and increases the maintenance cost of the orchard. ![]() The second problem with tight plant spacing is the plant roots will begin to compete with its neighbours for nutrients. If you improved your spacing to three-foot centres, you would have improved the reduced plant mass to 90 cubic feet and your potential yield to 6 pounds. If it yields 10 pounds of berries, by reducing the plant mass by planting it on two-foot centres, you will have reduced the plant mass to 60 cubic feet and reduced your yield 60% to 4 pounds. In simple terms, a six high by five-foot wide Honeyberry plant has a mass of 150 cubic feet. Why? Firstly you have reduced the plant mass by over 50%. However, this is not the case, as you can not hope to plant a 5-foot wide plant on a two-foot spacing and expect a full yield of over 10 pounds a plant. We have seen some orchard examples where farmers have planted these larger varieties on two feet row spacing or 2,000 plants per acre, expecting spectacular newly improved yields. These higher yields have also resulted in larger plants (6×5 versus 4×4 feet) and, therefore, growers need to allow greater spacing within the rows. The third wave of Honeyberry varieties from the University of Saskatchewan (Aurora) and Berries Unlimited (Happy Giant family) have made further steps to improve productivity to 10 pounds plus a plant, combined with a richer and sweeter Honeyberry flavour and taste. Ten years later, yields and flavours improved thanks to the introduction of the Indigo variety series by the University of Saskatchewan and brought yields to 6 to 8 pounds per plant. In the early 2000’s yields from imported older Russian varieties offered an average of 3 to 4 pounds a plant and their taste deemed too bitter. Honeyberry yields have continued to improve thanks to plant growers research and their ability to produce new and improved varieties regarding plant size, berry taste, and yield. The good news is that in 10-year-old Honeyberry orchards in Poland, yields of 10 pounds a plant are being achieved. Also, incorrect plant spacing in the rows has reduced yields in many mature orchards. ![]() Much of Honeyberries bad press regarding harvesting and yields is because in many cases only young two or three-year-old plants have been harvested, and everyone has based their Honeyberry harvesting solution or problems to a young plant rather than a mature one. You will be glad to know they are many Haskap or Honeyberry harvesting options.
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