OUT-OF-SEASON RASPBERRY PRODUCTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

There is no out-of-season greenhouse production of raspberries in British Columbia despite the province’s 200 ha of field raspberry production and 200 ha greenhouse vegetable industry.
Raspberry is a high-value crop that fetches a particularly high price on the market during the winter and early spring.
The effect of chilling duration on greenhouse production of Pacific Northwest cultivars ‘Chilliwack’, ‘Kitsilano’, ‘Malahat’, ‘Qualicum’ and ‘Tulameen’ was studied.
Dormant raspberry crowns were planted early in the spring into 10-liter pots and were grown outdoors until fall.
The plants were brought into the greenhouse from the outdoors on 20 December , 10 January and 31 January after receiving 750, 1238 and 1602 hours of chilling below 4⁰C, respectively, by these three dates.
Flowering was from 26 to 45 days and first harvest from 63 to 80 days after transfer of plants to the greenhouse.
Top yield ranged between 190 and 545 g per cane. ‘Tulameen’ produced the highest yield and the best fruit quality and ‘Malahat’ produced 4 to 11 days earlier than any other cultivar.

VIII International Rubus and Ribes Symposium

C. Kempler, B. Harding, D. Ehret

Rubus idaeus, fresh market, greenhouse, season extension

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.585.103