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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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Chokeberry (black chokeberry)

General
Common NameChokeberry (black chokeberry)
Latin NameAronia melanocarpa; (Photinia melanocarpa (Michx.) Robertson Phipps)
CategoryFruits 
Family 
Varietyery trade, Shannon and Indian have biggest fruit 
Visual Traits
Flowersmall, white; perfect, spring
Foliage/Fall leaf colorred
Fruitred, ripening to purplish-black pome; fall
Height3-6 ft
Cultivation
Field spacing / planting depth4-6' (10' to max fruit production)
Propagation methodseed, cuttings, bare root, container, layering
Pruningthin older stems infrequently
Seed harvestfall, clean from fruit pulp
Seed treatment and storagecold stratification 3months
Sowing seedSeptember
Transplanttransplants well; bare root in spring; container from spring to mid-summer
Watering guidelineswater during establishment
Critters
Pathogensmildew if poor air circulation
Wildlife Pestsdeer, rabbits
Soils
Fertility / qualitymedium fertility
Moisture and drainagewet to moist, well-drained; drought intolerant
pH4.0-7.0
Soils and topographywetland sites
Texturecoarse, medium, fine
Growth Pattern
Growth ratemoderate
Longevityshort
Root habitfinely fibrous
Habitat and Climate
Fire tolerancemoderately tolerant
Frost-free days (FFD)167
Hardiness Zone3-8 (9)
Native RangeGreat Lakes, Northeastern US, moist woods to dry thickets, cliffs
Rainfall / humidity15-33"
Light
Light recommendationfull sun
Shade tolerancemoderately tolerant
 
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