Production Life Cycle in Ontario

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

2-6

Special Notes

Native to Ontario.

Propagation method

Typically from hardwood cuttings. Dormant wood cuttings containing 2-3 sets of opposite buds from vigorous one -year old canes are best.  Fall cuttings from one-year-old canes can be wrapped in plastic to reduce moisture loss and stored in a cool dark place until spring.

Greenhouse Seeding/Propagation Dates

Cuttings typically rooted directly into the field.

Field Seeding Date:

N/A

Field Transplanting Dates

Early spring.  Cuttings are buried to just below the top pair of buds.

In-row spacing

1 m

Between row spacing

4-5 m

Optimal Soil temperature at planting

>8°C

Fertility

No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions.  Research from Pennsylvania indicates 57g ammonium nitrate per year of the plant’s age up to a maximum of 453 g/plant is sufficient for maximum berry yield.  Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility.

Soil type

Well-drained soils.  Sandy to loamy soils.

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Special requirements for growth habit

Well drained, open fields with good air movement will reduce disease and potential damage from frost, insects and birds. Cross-pollination increases fruit production. After the second year, prune annually in early spring to remove old, dead, broken and weak canes. Two year old canes produce the most fruit.  Mowing a mature planting may reduce labour costs and encourage growth of new canes, but the loss of 2 year old canes will reduce production in the following season.

Optimal Temperature Range

Temperate climate.

Temperature sensitivity

Frost tolerant.

Irrigation requirements

Trickle irrigate during the first year to insure proper development. Elderberry is relatively drought tolerant but occasional irrigation may be necessary in light soil or during dry summer (25 mm/week from bloom to harvest).

Days to harvest

Berries ripen in late August/early September.  Fruit production begins the year after planting, with full production after 3-4 years.

Specialized equipment:

None

Harvest

Harvest Scheduling

Multiple harvests from mid-August to mid-September. Flowers are picked in mid-June.

Hand harvest or machine harvest

Hand harvest

Quality parameters/grades

No established grades. Quality is determined by the market.

Additional Harvest Notes

Avoid picking wet or overripe berries.  If not juiced immediately, berries are often frozen and then juiced at a later date.

Post harvest

Special handling/curing

Cool quickly and refrigerate (or freeze), after harvest to avoid spoilage.

Storage Conditions

Relative humidity (RH): 95%

Temperature: -0-5 to 0°C

Air Exchange: N/A

Duration: 1 week (fresh berries)