The original concept of growing sea buckthorn at Devereux farm was in the long term to establish a commercial crop, but the process of getting there was accepted as having to go through a number of trial stages. Choosing Siberian plants was a good in theory concept. Higher yield, multiple varieties, few or no thorns, sweeter and larger berries, an understanding of disease resistance all adding up to making theory sound like a good idea. Obtaining them from a Russian institute in Siberia was ably assisted by the InCrops Enterprise hub based at the University of East Anglia. Year by year though the practical issues of finding practical solutions to growing a plant that is out of its climate comfort zone has been a concern.
This week the plants have had their second dose of compost tea product called Liquid Life. This is bought in from Soil Hub International and apart from plant nutrients it also contains a diverse population of micro organisms that support the natural defence mechanism of the plant against pathogens and stimulates growth. The results have been revealing.
Before the first application the Siberian males in particular had not come through the winter well. They showed 60% or more of yellowing leaves. The female variety Altaiskaya, which suffered so badly last year from pest attack in June also looked weak. The troublesome Elizaveta had survived the winter well but the leaves had a curl in them indicating stress.
Three weeks on and these issues are gone. Not only that but new growth is developing well in the base of plants. Berries are setting. Klaudia, the crazy variety that broke bud on New year’s eve is doing particularly well. Inya strangely has poor leave growth but almost more berries than leaves. Other varieties, Augustina ( projected as having the largest berries); Chuiskaya – the oldest variety, and Etna – the youngest all look promising. Some however show no sign of fruit. Sudarushka looks particularly healthy with lots of leaf but no berry.
I put some of this down to the condition of plants at pollination. Next year I need to move the compost tea application back into early April to improve the functionality of both males and females. I also think that maybe I should introduce some German males to spread the pollination period. As with Klaudia, most varieties are still adjusting to our strange soil. Pollination is key and if the males are out of synch with any of the female varieties ( such as Sudarushka ) then I need to find a way of reducing the risk of poor timing.
Improving soil quality and health has always been an issue. The compost tea will help with this, but ultimately a regular dose of true compost around the plants will help. This will happen later this year once the bespoke compost spreader arrives. In the meantime I have to consider how to manage weeds. Weeds are not just weeds. they are plants that can smother a young plant and compete for soil nutrients. They are also though potentially a habitat for predator invertebrates that can target pests. They may take their share of moisture from the soil, but they also shade the soil from direct sun. In commercial fruit growing terms I know I would be told that they should be kept down or destroyed. But I am coming to the conclusion that as the mature plants look very healthy then maybe the presence of weeds around the plants is not so detrimental.
Last year I cut the grass with a ride on mower on both sides of each row of sea buckthorn. This year I think I will cut half the rows in this way. The other half I will strim down the tall weeds immediately next to the sea buckthorn plants and then cut a single mower width down the middle of the grass between the rows. This will prevent the weeds from growing into the sea buckthorn branches, but allow beneficial insects to be present in immediate proximity to the sea buckthorn plants. This is after all a trial. The strim and mow option will probably take slightly longer than mowing two rows alongside the sea buckthorn, but if it results in healthier plants then it is worthwhile.
My final comment relates to the Latvian varieties here at Devereux farm. There are 400 plants – 4 varieties ( Sunny; Mary; Tatjana; Goldrain ) with 100 plants of each. I am purposely not giving them any Liquid Life or other fertiliser. They have to survive on their own. The result – they have grown larger and stronger than the Siberian plants for none of the effort that has to go into their Russian cousins. The downside is that they have thorns, but as a growing success they are an excellent example of ease and sustainability.
June is the month when pests are likely to become an issue. Sea buckthorn fly particularly is one that reached Germany in 2013. It is a scourge in Asia and can destroy 50% and more of the crop. I have sticky traps to identify them. Aphids attacked Altaiskaya last year in June. I am hopeful however that with the plants in good health, and knowing the issue then it will be able to control the problem before it gets out of hand.
