Vaccinium cylindraceum
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit - raw or cooked. A reasonable size, up to 25mm long though not very fat, the fruit is juicy with a mild but pleasant flavour[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- N. Africa - Azores.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 10+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed[4]. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification[2]. Another report says that it is best to sow the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[3]. Once they are about 5cm tall, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame[4]. Slow and difficult. Layering in late summer or early autumn[4]. Another report says that spring is the best time to layer[3]. Takes 18 months[4]. Division of suckers in spring or early autumn[2].
Cultivation
Requires a moist but freely-draining lime free soil, preferring one that is rich in peat or a light loamy soil with added leaf-mould[1][3]. Prefers a very acid soil with a pH in the range of 4.5 to 6, plants soon become chlorotic when lime is present. Succeeds in full sun or light shade though it fruits better in a sunny position[3]. Requires shelter from strong winds[3]. According to some reports this plant is not frost tolerant[3], but a specimen is growing well in a woodland garden at Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire and it was carrying a heavy crop of fruit in September 1994[K]. Dislikes root disturbance, plants are best grown in pots until being planted out in their permanent positions[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00