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Crop Matrix Tool

Use this tool to find out about characteristics; such as soil pH, cultivation methods, pests and post harvest treatment; for a specific crop. To load a crop's characteristics choose a crop from the drop-down menu. To see a list of all possible crops grouped by category click on the “Show List of All Available Crops” link next to the drop-down menu.

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Cranberry

General
Common NameCranberry
Latin NameVaccinium macrocarpon
CategoryFruits 
FamilyVaccinium 
Variety 
Visual Traits
Flowerwhite-pink; 2-4wk period; May-July
Foliage/Fall leaf colorevergreen; dark bronze in fall
Fruitbright red; late September; 60-120days after fertilization; persistent through winter
Height4-6ft length, vertical branching 2-6in
Spreadground cover
Cultivation
Cultivation and Mulchingsand and coarse material layered to maintain drainage
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
Field spacing / planting depthtreat as spreading groundcover; vines planted at density of one ton/ac on large-scale
HarvestSep-Nov; dry or wet harvest; mechanical or hand-picking
Pollinationwind or insect-pollinated, honeybee hives distributed early June-mid-July
Propagation methodunrooted cuttings, rooted cuttings (plugs), tissue culture; container; seeds
Pruningmaintain upright vine length to 2-4in, depending on variety
Seed treatment and storage3mos cold stratification
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
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
Critters
Insect and invertebrate pestscommercial production plagued with many pests; none serious for home production
PathogensPhytophthora root rot
Soils
Fertility / qualityhigh organic matter
Moisture and drainagewell-drained required through growing season; tolerate flooding during dormancy Dec-Mar; roots must stay cool and moist
pH4.0-5.0
Soils and topographynutrient poor soils of peatlands
Texturecoarse sand; intensive production requires layering of sand and coarse medium
Growth Pattern
Fruit bearing age / full crop load4-7y
Growth rateslow to moderate
Root habitadvantageous roots from leaf axil
Habitat and Climate
Hardiness ZoneZones 2-6
Native RangeEastern Canada and United States
Wind / ice / frost susceptibilityrequires chilling 600-700hours
Light
Light recommendationfull sun to light shade
Special Notes
Note 1not well-adapted for commercial production south of NJ
 
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