How, When and Why of Forest Farming Website

Cranberry

General
Common NameCranberry
Latin NameVaccinium macrocarpon
CategoryFruits 
FamilyVaccinium 
Variety 
Visual Traits
Flowerwhite-pink; 2-4wk period; May-July
No Citation Available
Foliage/Fall leaf colorevergreen; dark bronze in fall
No Citation Available
Fruitbright red; late September; 60-120days after fertilization; persistent through winter
No Citation Available
Height4-6ft length, vertical branching 2-6in
No Citation Available
Spreadground cover
No Citation Available
Cultivation
Cultivation and Mulchingsand and coarse material layered to maintain drainage
No Citation Available
Field preparation and plantingrequires acid soils and high organic matter; bog construction may be prohibited in natural wetlands; grading may be necessary for large-scale production, http://www.library.wisc.edu/guides/agnic/cranberry/harvest.htm
No Citation Available
Field spacing / planting depthtreat as spreading groundcover; vines planted at density of one ton/ac on large-scale
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HarvestSep-Nov; dry or wet harvest; mechanical or hand-picking
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Pollinationwind or insect-pollinated, honeybee hives distributed early June-mid-July
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Propagation methodunrooted cuttings, rooted cuttings (plugs), tissue culture; container; seeds
No Citation Available
Pruningmaintain upright vine length to 2-4in, depending on variety
No Citation Available
Seed treatment and storage3mos cold stratification
No Citation Available
Softwood cuttingsroot in peat:perlite for 6wks with misting for small-scale production; commercial producers spread over soil and incorporate (disc) then root via intensive water management
No Citation Available
Watering guidelinesirrigation required; dry or wet production possible; bogs flooded Dec-Mar for frost protection and pest management in large systems; see intensive production guidelines http://www.library.wisc.edu/guides/agnic/cranberry/harvest.htm
No Citation Available
Critters
Insect and invertebrate pestscommercial production plagued with many pests; none serious for home production
No Citation Available
PathogensPhytophthora root rot
No Citation Available
Soils
Fertility / qualityhigh organic matter
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Moisture and drainagewell-drained required through growing season; tolerate flooding during dormancy Dec-Mar; roots must stay cool and moist
No Citation Available
pH4.0-5.0
No Citation Available
Soils and topographynutrient poor soils of peatlands
No Citation Available
Texturecoarse sand; intensive production requires layering of sand and coarse medium
No Citation Available
Growth Pattern
Fruit bearing age / full crop load4-7y
No Citation Available
Growth rateslow to moderate
No Citation Available
Root habitadvantageous roots from leaf axil
No Citation Available
Habitat and Climate
Hardiness ZoneZones 2-6
No Citation Available
Native RangeEastern Canada and United States
No Citation Available
Wind / ice / frost susceptibilityrequires chilling 600-700hours
No Citation Available
Light
Light recommendationfull sun to light shade
No Citation Available
Special Notes
Note 1not well-adapted for commercial production south of NJ
No Citation Available