Rubus chamaemorus

[Robert G]

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I posted anything.

I was wondering if anyone out there had any insight into starting Rubus chamaemorus from seed. Kristl has a great link on her web site and I have read it, but I am looking for firsthand experience from forumists. Any info, especially success stories would be welcome.

[Kristl Walek]

hi robert.....i am almost positive that the suggestions that i noted on my website (for the need to absolutely nick the seedcoat of the cloudberry) is the only real study that has ever been done on the species....all i found otherwise was story after story of zero germination (or very little after many years of outdoor treatment---which i interpret as the seedcoat FINALLY breaking down).

i haven't had a chance to do my own nicking yet of my seed---need to find a helper--as i can no longer manage it because of my arthritic hands. you've given me the reminder to get it done. but will report back once i do.

many rubus sp. have the same problem; but this species has a *particularly* hard seed coat.

of course, getting it to be happy outside bog conditions is probably the real challenge, not the germination.

[Robert G]

Hi Kristl,

I have tried seed twice before and met with complete failure. The info you had on your site was helpful and put me on the right track. It was the first germination info I had seen on the plant. Now I know what I was doing wrong.

And as far as keeping it alive, if I get germination, I have suggested to my collegue who desperately wants it to become part of our collection that maybe it is a plant best enjoyed where it grows naturally. We must try though.

Thanks so much for your help Kristl.

[cohan]

looking forward to hearing results, i am very interested in this, and other, rubus species...
is the seed as small as some other rubus? must be quite a trick to nick those, arhtritis or not!

[Lesley Cox]

A few years ago, maybe 6 or 8, I had 12 seeds all of which germinated. They grew to tiny plants but then succumbed to drought in one of our east coast El Nino years. Of course as they were so small and hadn't grown to be identifiable, it's possible they were not R. chamaemorus. I think the seed was from SRGC or perhaps AGS. It is otherwise in New Zealand and has been for many years, but only, so far as I know, in a male clone. And yes, the seed was very small, perhaps the size of a strawberry or raspberry seed, not easily nickable.

[cohan]

A few years ago, maybe 6 or 8, I had 12 seeds all of which germinated. They grew to tiny plants but then succumbed to drought in one of our east coast El Nino years. Of course as they were so small and hadn't grown to be identifiable, it's possible they were not R. chamaemorus. I think the seed was from SRGC or perhaps AGS. It is otherwise in New Zealand and has been for many years, but only, so far as I know, in a male clone. And yes, the seed was very small, perhaps the size of a strawberry or raspberry seed, not easily nickable.

i sowed a couple/several rubus last spring (early enough for some cold time) and had germination on a form of R occidentalis, but not on the others..i'm hoping for next spring, after another cold season.... i have a few seeds of arcticus and pedatus from local plants (collected to send to a couple of people), can't remember if i will have any extra to try, but probably not, as the plants are locally abundant, easier to do cuttings...lol

[Stephenb]

You might be interested that at least a couple of Cloudberry (Northberry) cultivars are available commercially in Norway.

There has been a lot of research activity on selection and cultivation of Cloudberry. Here's a list of publications (mostly in Norwegian, but I'm sure that's no problem for most of you these days).It's  from the Norwegian research station at Holt in Troms in the far north of Norway. They naturally specialise on arctic agriculture.

http://www.bioforsk.no/ikbViewer/page/sok?p_searchstring=&X61609122F1B6AA28E040640A19047331.p_search_id=15526

The work in Norway is also mentioned in English here (and seed germination is also mentioned):
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-524.html

Vene and Apollo are the two cultivars I'm aware of.

[Panu]

Few Norwegian cloudberry cultivars are available also in Finland. Old (and horrible) pages, but maybe there is some usable information.
http://www.uku.fi/northernberries/

[Brian Ellis]

Mmmm cloudberry jam 

[Robert G]

That is one thing that spurs on my desire for success...my stomach.

Thank you for the info and sites on cultivars and such. For what it is worth the seed is from Finland.

Lesley, One thing that got me worried was that my seeds are small, but bigger than raspberry seeds. Annoying, but possible to nick.

[johnw]

Mmmm cloudberry jam 

Brian - Tell me, can you really taste a cloudberry?  I have been served it in many forms in Newfoundland - most frequently heated over ice-cream - and have yet to detect a discernible taste.  Perhaps my taste buds are incinerated by all the chilies we eat. One darest not question a Newfoundlander about "bakeapples" as they are mad for them. In St. Anthony they said in the old days they took to their boats to go to Labrador to collect them in season.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

Yes John, it has a delicate flavour but you can definitely taste it...perhaps it's a different variety, or something they add to it in the jam-making process in Norway?

[Panu]

John, it must be your taste buds . I´m not a great fan of cloudberries, but occasionally I do eat handful or two.

[Kristl Walek]

I am presently working through a jar from the same friend who sent me the seeds from Finland---I put it on plain yogurt and find it works well. They do have an unusual taste, not to everyone's liking.

Lesley, I doubt the seed you describe was in fact this species. First of all, because of the ease of germination, but also the seed is NOT tiny, for a Rubus. I am carrying about half a dozen species this year, and it is by far the largest seed (not anywhere near strawberry---which is as tiny as vaccinium seed---or raspberry or blackberry). Seed is also distinctly beige coloured.

[Gunilla]

The seed is what I don't like about cloudberry jam but I love the taste. Pancakes with "mylta" and whipped cream...mmmm 

Here are some seeds taken out of a jar of cloudberry jam.