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Saskatoon
fruit growing is a new age health product. Although it has been around
for ages, its value as healthy fruit is only just being realised.
The demand for the fruit far outstrips its production.
After a trip to Canada where I witnessed this new wonder crop I decided
to try and grow them in Scotland to find out if our climate will allow
them to grow, fruit and ripen and at economically viable levels.
The
Saskatoon is a large fruiting variety of the shrub, (or small tree ),
Amelanchier alnifolia. Another Amelanchier, A. canadensis ( the snowy
mespilus ), grows extremely well all over the UK.
Saskatoons were a major food crop for the north american indians for centuries,
but only recently is their full potential being realised.
Cultivation
Sown sept. 2004
Germinate April 2005
Pot grown 2005
Planted April 2006
First fruits July 2007
Early
results indicate there may be potential for growing Saskatoons in the
UK.
However there are numerous questions needing an answer.
First fruit tasted in July 2007 did not have the flavour of those grown
in Canada, but after a six week period of constant rain and very little
sunshine, it is the wrong season to judge them.
Scottish growing conditions create a more vigorous plant resulting in
larger seeds in the fruit, which may be less acceptable than Canadian
fruit with a smaller seed.
It was also a difficult year to achieve good ripening which turns the
fruit black, juicy and sweet.
They are prone to normal pests and diseases from aphis, to caterpillars,
and mildew, and birds just love them so they must be netted, at least
on a small scale.
In
Canadian tests they proved to be as good as if not better than Blueberries
as a super rich health food. They look and taste very similar to blueberries,
but are far easier to grow.
The fruit can be eaten fresh, or cooked as jam, jelly, sauce, or as fillings
in pies, yogurts, or used for wines and liqueurs.
