40 Later, due to the high anti-oxidant content and high Vitamin C concentration, Lonicera became very desirable as a medicinal plant and as an edible berry. It is likely to soon become the new “superfruit”. Lonicera berries also constitute a potential source for pectin. The taste of the Lonicera berries has been described as delicious, with a flavour between a raspberry and a blueberry. They can be consumed fresh, but they are also very tasty in jams, compots and wines. They can also be used in yogurts, pies, candy and even as flavouring for ice-cream. Conditions for growth Even more rugged than Arronia melanocarpa, it is very adaptable to cold weather conditions. In Canada it is planted in Saskatchewan where temperatures regularly fall to -40C in winter. It thrives in Siberia where major research on it has been carried out. It prefers moist soil and full sun, as it is relatively shade-tolerant it could lend itself to proper permaculture intercropping schemes. It is not a demanding plant and grows well in a variety of soils – from acid to moderately alkaline. For the first three years until well established, it requires adequate irrigation especially during the hot spells. Traditional propagation is done either by cuttings or seeds. If planting the seeds, they need to be properly clean of any pulp residue. Today, there are also protocols for in vitro-propagation, which can produce virus-free and true-to-form planting material. It is recommended to plant between two and four different varieties in order to obtain good fertilization. The ripening period differs for each cultivar – some are early to mature and have fruits in late May-June, while others give fruit in August. The maturation of the berries is not necessarily uniform, so the harvesting may be extended for weeks. Many commercial varieties have been developed, particularly in Russia and Canada, and they have uniform ripening, allowing for mechanized harvesting. The first significant yields will be obtained 2-4 years after planting. With proper care, each bush can produce about 6 kg of berries. Lonica caerulea is extremely resistant to pests and perhaps the biggest threat is powdery mildew. Opportunistic birds are a potential problem because they love the berries. Netting is worth considering. Selected sources of planting material Kore Wild Fruit Nursery Warren Fields Farn, Trellen, Monmouth Gwent NP25 4PQ United Kingdom Tel. +44 160 086 02 48 www.korewildfruitnursery.co.uk Pagina 49
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