Berries Production Guide

Cranberries
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Varieties

This section was updated - 19 April 2021

Cranberry production is very specialized and demanding. The following section is not a complete growers’ guide but focuses primarily on current pest management recommendations. For more information on cranberry cultural and nutritional requirements, consult the following sources publications:

“The American Cranberry”, Paul Eck, published in 1990 by Rutgers University Press

“Cranberry Production in the Pacific Northwest”, PNW 247, Oregon State University extention.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw247.pdf

“BC Cranberry Marketing Commission” http://www.bccranberries.com

“BC Cranberry Growers Association” http://www.bccranberrygrowers.com

“Cranberries: Rutgers Licensing and Technology” agproducts.rutgers.edu/cranberries/index.html

“WARF (Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation)” www.warf.org/

Varieties

The varieties most commonly planted in BC are Stevens, Bergman and Ben Lear, Grygleski Hybrids and Pilgrim. McFarlin is an older standard variety that is no longer planted but a few acres remain in production.

Ben Lear

Selected from the wild in Wisconsin in 1901. Harvested in September in BC. Susceptible to fruit rot in storage; large fruit that is pyriform shaped with pointed stem end (70 to 90 berries per cup); medium red.

Bergman

Resulted from a cross of Early Black (wild; Massachusetts, 1857) and Searles (wild; Wisconsin, 1893). Harvested in September for fresh fruit in BC. Resistant to false blossom; fruit large to medium (65 to 80 pear-shaped berries per cup); deep red. Plants produce many uprights and few runners.

Pilgrim

Resulted from a cross of Prolific x McFarlin. Harvested in late October to early November in BC. Berries are long and oval-shaped, very large (43-66 berries per cup), purplish red with yellow under-colour and covered with a waxy bloom. Plants are moderately vigourous, producing a medium number of runners and medium to long uprights.

Stevens

Resulted from a cross of McFarlin and Potter (the latter from Wisconsin). Harvested in September to mid October in BC. Resistant to fruit softening; fruit very large (50 to 55 berries per cup); deep red. Plant is vigorous, producing many coarse, strong vines.

There may be considerable variability in plant growth habit and productivity within a given variety. For more information on these and other varieties, consult the “The American Cranberry” by Paul Eck, published in 1990 by Rutgers University Press,“Cranberries: Rutgers Licensing and Technology” agproducts.rutgers.edu/cranberries/index.html and “WARF (Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation)” www.warf.org/

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