OHA HASCAP – offer ends Friday.

A letter from Penny Stewart about the OHA’s HASCAP plant introduction.

Dear Societies
The OHA is going to make available on a limited basis Hascap plants at a break even cost of 4 for $25. Here is a bit about them

They will be dormant and in 3 1/2 pots. Priced at 4/$25.00. The OHA is not making a profit on this. It is to introduce and share something less known for our members.
The varieties are all LaHave from Nova Scotia and are as follows: Larisa, Erin, Vicky and Ruth.

If anyone wishes they can go onto the growers webpage and see the presentation themselves at www.lahavenaturalfarms.com

HASCAPS (Lonicera edulis, Honeyberry, Blue Honeysuckle)
This delicious member of the Honeysuckle family produces blueberry-blue fruit tasting like raspberries with a touch of blueberry and is absolutely loaded with antioxidants. Haskaps are cold-loving plants, native to northern Canada, Russia and the northern islands of Japan where they are popular for their flavour and health benefits (high vitamin C). Bob Bors, head of the fruit breeding program at the University of Saskatchewan started crossing several different tasting native selections to produce tastier varieties. Breeding has continued apace, including some Russian varieties creating larger, even tastier, and uniquely Canadian varieties. Haskaps are zone 1 – 3 hardy, need full sun and will grow in a range of soils but ideally in a neutral ph, highly-organic soil. You need two different varieties for cross pollination and good fruit set. Plants take up to 4 years to reach maturity at which time you can expect about 3kg (7lbs) of fruit per plant. They’re a tender-skinned fruit, perfect for jams, jellies, smoothies and yes, even wine! Height at maturity 90-120cm (3-4′), spread 90-150cm (3-5′).

Unfortunately I somehow misunderstood how this was all going to play out and did not canvas societies before this mainly because the original price proposed was much higher and I felt at the higher price they would not sell.

I have to get a number back to Rose Odell by Jan 9th and so I apologize for the rush on this. Please let me know by noon Fri JAN 9 if your society has an interest and in how many.

Sorry for dropping the (root)ball on this one .

Regards

Penny
—
Penny Stewart
Director District 3
Ontario Horticultural Association