Articles
CULTIVATE THE WILD ROSES – EXPERIENCES FROM ROSE HIP PRODUCTION IN SWEDEN
Article number
690_11
Pages
83 – 90
Language
English
Abstract
In the mid-eighties, a program for domestication of wild roses was initiated at Balsgård.
The main goals were to develop plant material and growing techniques suitable for commercial rose hip production.
In 1987 the first mechanical harvesting was performed on seedlings from different species in a pilot plantation using a modified black currant harvester.
In 1993, the first commercial plantations were established with superior selections mainly of the species Rosa dumalis and R. rubiginosa. The selections were propagated by softwood cuttings and planted according to a system developed for forest trees, usually with the soil covered by plastic mulch.
The plant distance was 0.7 x 3 or 4 m.
In total, about 130 ha dogroses were planted in the south of Sweden.
Rose hips ripen from the end of September and when optimum ripening has been reached, harvesting should take place as soon as possible to avoid frost damage.
Using a small fruit harvester, the first yield can be obtained 3-4 years after planting.
Later, when the plants have become old and yields are reduced, the plants can be rejuvenated by heavy pruning 5-10 cm above the ground.
The main goals were to develop plant material and growing techniques suitable for commercial rose hip production.
In 1987 the first mechanical harvesting was performed on seedlings from different species in a pilot plantation using a modified black currant harvester.
In 1993, the first commercial plantations were established with superior selections mainly of the species Rosa dumalis and R. rubiginosa. The selections were propagated by softwood cuttings and planted according to a system developed for forest trees, usually with the soil covered by plastic mulch.
The plant distance was 0.7 x 3 or 4 m.
In total, about 130 ha dogroses were planted in the south of Sweden.
Rose hips ripen from the end of September and when optimum ripening has been reached, harvesting should take place as soon as possible to avoid frost damage.
Using a small fruit harvester, the first yield can be obtained 3-4 years after planting.
Later, when the plants have become old and yields are reduced, the plants can be rejuvenated by heavy pruning 5-10 cm above the ground.
Publication
Authors
M. Uggla, Martinsson
Keywords
Caninae, dogrose, mechanical harvesting, propagation, rose-hip, small fruit
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