Cascade Huckleberry
Vaccinium deliciosum
zones 2-5
100 seeds
Cascade Huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum) is a native, common low-growing understory fruiting shrub found in western North America, primarily in the Rockies, Cascades, and Black Hills from British Columbia and Alberta south to far northern California to Colorado and New Mexico, and east to South Dakota. It grows in mountain habitats such as forests, clearings and meadows occurring in subalpine and alpine climates at elevations of 2,000 to 6,000 feet.
Studies show that the intense flavor of the fruits of this plant come from at least thirty-one different aromatic flavor compounds. V. deliciosum, like other plants that live in alpine communities, have adapted to survive in growing seasons as short as 3-4 months. From late fall to spring, the plants rely on snow cover to insulate them from temperatures more than several degrees below freezing. Blossoms can become damaged and summer growth can be stunted if the plants experience a hard frost below 4 degrees if unprotected by snow.
Although seed reproduction is reportedly rare in nature, seeds can be propagated with about a 42% germination rate. It is best to plant seeds as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed may require a 3 month stratification period. Huckleberry seeds require light for germination, however, and must be exposed to bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours each day to sprout successfully. Seeds are very slow to sprout. Seedlings are small and growth is slow. Seeds can be sown directly into flats or small pots (a saltshaker can be used for sowing). Plant in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Seedlings will begin to emerge in a month and will continue to emerge for a long period thereafter. Transplant seedlings into larger pots 6-7 weeks after emergence. Plant outside after the first growing season. Water plants when soil is dry.
Vaccinium deliciosum
zones 2-5
100 seeds
Cascade Huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum) is a native, common low-growing understory fruiting shrub found in western North America, primarily in the Rockies, Cascades, and Black Hills from British Columbia and Alberta south to far northern California to Colorado and New Mexico, and east to South Dakota. It grows in mountain habitats such as forests, clearings and meadows occurring in subalpine and alpine climates at elevations of 2,000 to 6,000 feet.
Studies show that the intense flavor of the fruits of this plant come from at least thirty-one different aromatic flavor compounds. V. deliciosum, like other plants that live in alpine communities, have adapted to survive in growing seasons as short as 3-4 months. From late fall to spring, the plants rely on snow cover to insulate them from temperatures more than several degrees below freezing. Blossoms can become damaged and summer growth can be stunted if the plants experience a hard frost below 4 degrees if unprotected by snow.
Although seed reproduction is reportedly rare in nature, seeds can be propagated with about a 42% germination rate. It is best to plant seeds as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed may require a 3 month stratification period. Huckleberry seeds require light for germination, however, and must be exposed to bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours each day to sprout successfully. Seeds are very slow to sprout. Seedlings are small and growth is slow. Seeds can be sown directly into flats or small pots (a saltshaker can be used for sowing). Plant in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Seedlings will begin to emerge in a month and will continue to emerge for a long period thereafter. Transplant seedlings into larger pots 6-7 weeks after emergence. Plant outside after the first growing season. Water plants when soil is dry.
Vaccinium deliciosum
zones 2-5
100 seeds
Cascade Huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum) is a native, common low-growing understory fruiting shrub found in western North America, primarily in the Rockies, Cascades, and Black Hills from British Columbia and Alberta south to far northern California to Colorado and New Mexico, and east to South Dakota. It grows in mountain habitats such as forests, clearings and meadows occurring in subalpine and alpine climates at elevations of 2,000 to 6,000 feet.
Studies show that the intense flavor of the fruits of this plant come from at least thirty-one different aromatic flavor compounds. V. deliciosum, like other plants that live in alpine communities, have adapted to survive in growing seasons as short as 3-4 months. From late fall to spring, the plants rely on snow cover to insulate them from temperatures more than several degrees below freezing. Blossoms can become damaged and summer growth can be stunted if the plants experience a hard frost below 4 degrees if unprotected by snow.
Although seed reproduction is reportedly rare in nature, seeds can be propagated with about a 42% germination rate. It is best to plant seeds as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed may require a 3 month stratification period. Huckleberry seeds require light for germination, however, and must be exposed to bright, indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours each day to sprout successfully. Seeds are very slow to sprout. Seedlings are small and growth is slow. Seeds can be sown directly into flats or small pots (a saltshaker can be used for sowing). Plant in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Seedlings will begin to emerge in a month and will continue to emerge for a long period thereafter. Transplant seedlings into larger pots 6-7 weeks after emergence. Plant outside after the first growing season. Water plants when soil is dry.