growing cloudberries

[SelkirkAlex]

does anyone have actual experience of growing cloudberries?

have read the old forum posts but they are mostly about sourcing seeds.

the web talks mostly about cloudberry's "scandanavian" origins.

what caught my interest was the fact that it is the county plant of Peebleshire in the borders where I was born, but I don't think I have ever seen one.

the daft streak in me would like to grow some and run around planting them in the wild here.

it is a moor plant so presumably ericaceous. other than that I am working blind, anyone help?

[Guest]

Sorry, I know you wanted experience but I suspect it may be on the skimpy side. Pontzyfield lists seeds and plants for sale Poyntzfield Herb Nursery - Culinary & Aromatic Herbs so it may be worth asking them. I have used them in the past and they have been very helpful.

Good luck.

[WalterWhite]

I would not bother!

A few years ago i did some research into Rubus chamaemorus (Cloudberry) as it seemed a challenge even though the evidence was stacking up that it would be difficult to yield fruit if cultivating in the UK.

Considering the plant in spends at least 6 weeks a year under snow on Scandinavian tundra this really was going to be a challenge.

And, the plant is dioecious! You would need a male and female plant.

However MTT in Finland developed a hermaphrodite variety to help improve production of fruit bearing Rubus chamaemorus for the commercial production.

I obtained from Peuraniemen in Finland approx 15 plants. Emulated the conditions with similar substrate etc other than snow. Two years have past, no fruits and 1/3 have died.


The recommended variety is Rubus chamaemorus ' Nyby' (hermaphrodite) if you wish to take on the challenge.


Lubera UK in 2016 also sold the 'Nyby' but they re-named it; 'Arom'arctic Nyby'.

Just looked on the Lubera website, no longer listed. Maybe that says it all....

[Birdie Wife]

I've seen it growing in the wilds up here in remotest Sutherland. It's an upland plant and my instinct is that it's very particular about its growing conditions. It does have the most remarkable berries though, starting dark and ripening to a beautiful coral orange.