This might be becoming monotonous but the same field job is taking priority – clear all weeds one metre square around each plant/spike with fork/apply 30kg compost. It should be a lesson to anyone growing seabuckthorn – never allow grass etc to take over. The alternative of have to clear them is time consuming.
I could have grown them under plastic but this would not have allowed once/twice a year application of compost which I need in order to lighten my clay soil.
Even though we had rain a week ago, the ground is solid again and scraping the turf off the top is like cutting it off concrete.
But progress is happening with over 200 plants a week being completed.
On the whole the plants all look healthy. Berries are apparent on at least 60% of the Siberian plants, so the males are active. The main site of 2011 planted Siberians have two male planting regimes. One is the classic Russian of one male/4 females/one male in a moxed male/female row – with these mixed rows have two rows of females one either side of a mixed row. This area has 900 plants of Klaudia; Altaiskaya; Sudarushka and Augustina. The second plot is of the same size but the males are placed with only 2 females between each male and planted with two all female rows aside each mixed row. Next month I will survey the plants to see which system is more successful.
In terms of disease the whole site is being surveyed at the moment, but I expect there are around ten plants showing signs of leaf discolouration. Subject to it being dry tomorrow – all plants will get another dose of seaweed. It certainly seems to be keeping them clean. With 5000 plants on site, I would expect some to have problems. Those infected will have the worst branches pruned.
Seaweed is quite expensive (£11/litre) but this covers approximately 500 plants so the cost is around 2.2p/plant/application.
I am hoping that the applications will reflect in the quality of the berries. The seaweed has little nitrogen in it but provides a serious kick of trace elements.
Insect life seems to be very calm at the moment. The attacks of vapourer moth is over and in all they only affected 4 plants this year. So I would suggest the worst period for attack is mid to late April.
I went to see our farm contractor yesterday to talk through the best way to reduce the impact of heavy rain in winter waterlogging the plantation. It would be possible to have a new drain installed. Another option could be to run a subsoiled down the middle of each row. But we have opted to use a mole attachment to the subsoiled and pull it past the ends of each row. This will link into existing field drains. Some of the waterlogging is in places where the soil has been badly compacted and damaged in previous years. The site used to be used for an International scout Jamboree. With 10,000 people on site for a week the area had many sceptic tanks sunk into it. Removing the tanks has left areas of deep holes backfilled with subsoil – which becomes waterlogged and the seabuckthorn hate it.
Changing the subject we all know that seabuckthorn has a sour taste character. Sugar is a potential ingredient to deliver a balanced taste.
Earlier this year the World Health Organisation came out with the need for people to take less than 10% of their total daily calories from added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends between 6 and 9 teaspoons a day. So it was little surprise that the subject came up again on BBC news as it also featured in the newspapers on may 19th.
The problem is that news is reported in such a direct manner that all sugar becomes bad for you – with the inference that natural sugar in fruit is a problem. Richard Reid from Innocent Juice came a fine rebuff to these comments placing the advantages of eating fruit as a multi nutritious package with natural sugar balanced with fibre that is an excellent part of a balanced diet. But the inference still is that sugar intake – whether natural or not must be cut.
This of course then is waiting for another part of the medical profession to say how important it is to eat not 5 but 7 portions of fruit and vegetables per year.
It is no wonder that consumers get confused.
Television advertising for toothpaste also suggests that fruit/ fruit juices are acidic and that damages tooth enamel.
The government has spent huge amounts on diet education, but current consumer lifestyles demand food now and on the go/ processed foods. Against this heart disease/diabetes/obesity are still massive challenges. The message that a balanced diet of natural foods just does not seem to be attractive enough to be accepted. Even though it is a life impacting message.
So back to sugar and seabuckthorn – should we be worried. I would say no – as long as it is considered a multi-nutrient fruit that is part of a balanced diet.
There are some interesting sugar replacers. I came across the Norwegian Sukrin at the Natural Food and Organics Fair. Expensive, but a valid alternative.
But do we need alternatives if the amount of seabuckthorn that is sweetened and eaten is in moderation.
Of course, I am also hoping that my Siberian varieties will prove to be sweet enough to eat off the bush – as they should be, but we shall see.
Which brings me to a final thought. That with berries on the bushes this year – I think the time is coming for an open day on the farm – possibly in August, when the berries are ripe – or at least some of them.
