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Chokecherries may be sold for processing, but opportunities for marketing and
processing need to be better defined. The chokecherry is considered to have good
diversification potential by many saskatoon growers, and chokecherry concentrate is
currently being tested for its potential in the juice market in the U.S. and Japan. The
concentrate is economically preferred for transport and storage. Both Europe and Japan
appreciate rich dark colours and tart flavours like that of the chokecherry. Some experts
believe that commercial chokecherry production has more potential than the saskatoon for
large scale production, due to its hardiness and reliable yield.
Currently, the primary source of chokecherries is wild stands where less than 5% are
actually harvested. However, as more orchards are planted and the trees begin to produce
fruit this should change. Research projects are being developed to address breeding and
selection of superior cultivars as well as processing needs.
To make the chokecherry more attractive to the consumer, it has been suggested it be
renamed as "wild black cherry" or "wild cherry". It has already been
successfully marketed under the name "wild black cherry". The consumer often
views "wild" fruit as healthier, more natural and having fewer food additives.
To meet the commercial processor's demand that fruit be delivered in volume and in a
semi-processed state, a system should be established including transportation, storage and
a central semi-processing plant. Producers need to work together to establish a regional
berry association that will entitle them access to government funding for research and
development of a viable chokecherry industry or utilize the resources of the PFGA to reach
the same goals.
There are many commercial processors in the prairies willing to buy chokecherry fruit.
The demand for fruit is currently greater than can be supplied.
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Chokecherries do not begin producing until their third or fourth year so fruit
production is a long-term commitment. Yield gradually increases after the fourth year. At
maturity, yield is estimated at 15,000 lb of fruit per acre or higher and yield appears
fairly consistent eight to nine years out of 10.
Early orchards were difficult to establish because of limited plant material and a lack
of different cultivars. As interest grows in this crop, nurseries are making larger
quantities of plants available and offering a larger selection of chokecherry cultivars.
This has also resulted in a decrease in the price of the plants.
As with any other small fruit operation, it is important to consider the distance to
large population bases for a market as well as for labour. The chokecherry is abundant in
native stands and consistent in its yield, so it is likely that U-Pick for the fresh
product would not be in high demand.
The long-term economic feasibility of chokecherry production is yet to be determined.
We know that chokecherries have the potential to offer the consistent supply important to
a processor. A processor may lower prices if yields are high when a producer's fruit is
ready. The berries must be competitively priced so that processors don't go to other
provinces where the fruit may be cheaper. Growers in British Columbia are considering
chokecherry production which would increase competition for producers. Therefore, Manitoba
needs to develop this industry further before competition from other province reduces the
potential value of this industry to the province.
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Chokecherries have low susceptibility to weather variability. Proper site selection and
good management practices are still important, however, research projects on management
practices need to be initiated as insufficient information exists at this time.
Chokecherries grow in a wide variety of soil types and climatic conditions. They thrive
in full sun and well-drained soils containing significant amounts of organic matter, and
grow well in pH's ranging from 5-8. Saline and poorly drained soils should be avoided.
A gentle northeast or east slope is preferred for good runoff and quick cold air
drainage, and windbreaks help reduce damage from strong prevailing winds.
Spacing
Plants should be spaced three to four feet apart. To accommodate mechanical harvesting,
aisles should be at least 16 feet wide. Aisles should run north to south to reduce wind,
equalize light distribution and decrease sun scald.
Irrigation
Trickle irrigation is the method of choice as it is the least labour intensive, has a
lower water requirement than other systems, reduces incidence of disease and is generally
cheaper to use. However, the emitters can clog easily and can not be used for frost
protection or crop cooling. Refer to the irrigation section
for more information.
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Specific recommendations to fertilize a chokecherry orchard are not currently
available. Site selection is important and a well drained, loam soil with adequate levels
of fertilizer should provide a good starting point for the orchard. Proper soil testing of
the site is advisable and required fertilization should occur prior to planting. Caution
is advised with application of fertilizers late in the season as delayed hardening-off may
occur. However, supplementary fertilization may be required if nutrient deficiencies occur
or if site selection is less than ideal. Research has not yet determined the optimum
levels of fertilizer to apply to chokecherries. However, 11-51-0 and 23-23-0 may be used
until further recommendations can be made. As with any crop, a soil test will determine
the current level of nutrients present and a recommendation for fruit crops can be
obtained from the soil testing lab.
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Weed control costs significantly less compared to saskatoons and is only done in the
first five years of production. Clean cultivation is the most cost-efficient method during
an orchard's early years. Later, permanent ground cover, annual crop cover, organic or
black plastic mulches and other techniques may be considered. Sod provides a durable
surface for large harvesters and prevents erosion.
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Currently, insect pests have not significantly affected yields of wild chokecherry
stands, but the establishment of monocultural production may change this. Cherry shoot
borer, chokecherry fruit gall midge, chokecherry sawfly, ugly nest caterpillar, fall
webworm, forest-tent caterpillar, fruit tree leafroller, chokecherry aphid, and lacebugs
are all potential pests of chokecherry. There are no insecticides registered for
application on chokecherries at this time, meaning that effective, alternative methods of
pest control will need to be developed. Growers should monitor the crop weekly in order to
watch for insect problems.
Other pests include birds, rabbits, mice and deer. Animal repellents can be sprayed on
the trees in the fall to reduce animal feeding. Bird netting has been used successfully
for other fruit crops and would likely be effective for chokecherries to protect the
fruit.
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Diseases found on chokecherries include;
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chokecherry shothole
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powdery mildew
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black knot
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western X-disease
Benlate is registered for chokecherry shothole on non-fruiting seedlings and has been
noted to prevent establishment of powdery mildew.
Black knot may be controlled by pruning out infected wood in late winter/early spring,
remembering to disinfect tools between cuts with 1:10 bleach or Lysol to water solution.
Infected wood should be burned before April 1. Maintaining a 200m distance between an
orchard and any wild stands of chokecherries decreases risk of contamination. Plants
infected with western X-disease should be removed and burned. No chemical controls are
registered for black knot or western X-disease.
Please consult The Guide to Fruit Crop Protection for further information on control
practices and chemical recommendations for insects, diseases, and weeds.
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Chokecherries require insects for pollination, and flies primarily are attracted by the
fragrance of the blossoms. It has not been determined whether the use of honey bees will
increase yield of chokecherries. Two hives/ha are recommended for other commercial fruit
crops and may be sufficient for chokecherries. Rental of hives around blossom time may
prove more effective than having a colony present permanently.
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Chokecherries benefit from a consistent water supply. In the nursery trade,
chokecherries are assured 2.5-5.0 cm/week. This is especially important during spring's
vegetative growth and fall fruit bud development. Substantial irrigation or fertilization
in late summer and fall can delay the onset of dormancy and result in winter injury.
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Assuming a hedgerow system, the hedge should be maintained at 45 cm (18 inches) wide
and three metres (10 feet) high to facilitate harvest. Weaker/diseased wood should be
removed annually. Chokecherries seem to produce most abundantly on young wood, but
research must be done to determine the effects of pruning (especially of older branches)
on yield.
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Chokecherries ripen from mid-July to September depending on the individual plant and
the local climate. Handpicking is most economical during the first few years, with the use
of hand rakes and power vibrators speeding up the process. Mechanical harvesters designed
for other bush crops have been used successfully to harvest chokecherries, but are only
economical for larger operations. Labour costs are significantly lower for chokecherries
than for raspberries. A producer can expect a yield of 30 to 40 lbs of fruit per shrub or
11 200 kg/ha (10,000 lb/acre). The life span of a chokecherry ranges from 20 to 40 years.
To maximize the use of a mechanical harvester, cultivars that can be harvested by the same
harvester as saskatoons. There are many chokecherry cultivars to choose from, but
Garrington would be a good example because it only grows to 2.4m and would fit inside the
same harvester used for Smoky which is of similar size. Chokecherries have a wider window
of harvest dates and more uniform ripening, and so can be harvested after saskatoons.
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Rapid post-harvest cooling (within two to three hours) is necessary to prevent
deterioration of the colour, texture and flavour qualities of the fresh product and
increase shelf life; therefore, a nearby cooling facility is required. Completing harvest
prior to 11:00 am extends this critical time. If fruit cannot be processed within 24 - 48
hours, it is recommended that it be frozen immediately after harvest.
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