Growing Saskatoons June, Service Berries

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Growing Saskatoons (June, Service Berries)

• By
• Dr. Robert Tomesh
• UW-Extension Specialist

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Amelanchier alnifolia--Saskatoon Serviceberry

• The Saskatoon or Serviceberry is a hardy and
  tolerant fruit species. It is resistant to low
  temperatures and drought, and grows in a wide
  range of soil types. The fruit look like a
  blueberry, but the plant is in the Rose family.

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Saskatoons Growing in the Wild
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Commercial Production in Saskatoon Canada
St.Pierre
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Historical Perspective

• The saskatoon was a popular and widely used plant
  among many North American Indian Tribes.
• Fruit is eaten fresh, dried, in baking, jellies,
  jams and juice.
• Introduced in Illinois in 1878 from Penn.
• First commercial orchards established in 1970
  (about 400 A. today).

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The saskatoon is a perennial, woody,
fruit-bearing shrub.st.Pierre
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Size Variable Species

• Species selections range from low and
  spreading species at one foot in height.
• To tall shrubs and small trees at 18 feet.
• Some species are used in ornamental
  landscaping
• Most commercial fruiting selections are
  maintained to 6 feet.

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Cultivar Propagation

• Plants are very difficult to propagate.
• Stool beds covered with black plastic or mulch
  initiate etiolated shoots
• Rooted stems are removed and transplanted

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Etiolated Shoots Transplanted from Stool Bed

• Rooted shoots are transplanted to individual
  packs
• This is the cultivar Smokey

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Flowering

• Flower initiation for next years flowers begins
  in late June
• Flowering in the spring is early (late April to
  early May) and vary depending on spring rainfall,
  temperatures and last seasons growth.

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Terminal Flower LocationPollination dependant
upon insects
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Stages of Fruit Development from Flowering to
Ripening
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Cultivar Selections

• Hardiness Zones
• 2 to 7.
• Saskatoon cultivars have been selected on the
  basis of superior fruit size, taste, yield,
  flowering time and color of flowers, fruit and
  fall foliage.

• Smokey
• Honeywood
• Pembina
• Thiessen
• Martin
• Northline
• Success
• Regent

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Site Requirements

• Full sun
• Frost free growing season (100 days)
• North slope with air drainage
• Well drained soils (mound planting bed)
• Organic matter (3 ) and mulch
• pH range from 6 to 7
• Water with 1 inch per week application
• Protect from strong drying winds

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Planting

• Planting stock from 12 to 36 inches
• Transplant dormant plants in late fall or early
  spring.
• Dig a generous hole for planting
• Pruning shoots should not be necessary
• Space plants according to cultivar size (usually
  4 to 12 feet)

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A basic recommendation is for producers to use a
minimum of 3 cultivars when establishing an
orchard.

• greater resistance variability to disease and
  insects
• more consistent yields, and
• better adaptability to future processing
  requirements.

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Life of Plantings

• Saskatoons will begin production 3 to 4 years
  after planting and can produce significant yields
  6 to 8 years after planting.
• Orchards could be productive for periods of 30 to
  50 years if cared for properly.

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Fertilization/Nutrient Management

• Benefit from 3 to 6 inches of compost and mulch
• ¼ pound of 10-10-10 per plant one week after
  planting
• Annually ½ pound of 10-10-10 applied as split
  applications late in the fall, early spring, and
  after petal drop.

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Yield Data

• Saskatoon yields may range between 2,300 to 7,000
  pounds per acre for mature orchards.

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Practical Reasons for Pruning

• To reduce leaf area during drought stress
• To improve fruit size by increasing the exposure
  or fruit to light
• To improve air circulation and light penetration
  to reduce disease infections and increase flower
  bud initiation
• To remove damaged branches and stems
• To stimulate new grow for production

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Timing of Pruning for Saskatoons

• Early-spring pruning prior to budbreak.
• Pruning at this time will stimulate vegetative
  growth.
• Prune the tips of shoots chewed by deer and
  rabbits to enhance new growth.

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Do Not Prune

• Late fall pruning may leave shoots susceptible to
  winter injury.
• Summer pruning is not recommended because or the
  removal of leaf surface, fresh cuts invite
  diseases including fireblight, and plants do not
  harden properly for winter.

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From Grower to Market

• U-pick harvest
• Fresh fruit sales through farm gates and farmer
  markets
• Fresh berries sold to retailers
• Fresh berries sold to processors

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Mechanical Harvester
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Mechanical Harvester with some Field Sorting
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Final Sorting and Cleaning
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Packed for the Retailer
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A wide variety of insects can feed on saskatoon
plants. The saskatoon bud moth, saskatoon sawfly,
woody elm aphid, apple curculio, cherry shoot
borer and lygus bugs can cause extensive damage
through leaf feeding, fruit damage and reduced
yields.
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Sawfly larvae feeding on developing fruit
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Bud Moth Larvae
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Adult Bud Moth
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Insect Pests
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Cedar Apple Rust
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Cedar Apple Rust
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Cedar Apple Rust on Fruit
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Cultural Management
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Thank You