Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.), also known as edible blue honeysuckle or honeyberry, is a new and emerging berry crop in North America. Its resilience to cold temperatures, adaptability to various soil pH levels, distinctive flavor, and health benefits make it suitable for cultivation in colder climates. The period from flowering to fruit ripeness is remarkably brief in haskap, typically ranging from six to eight weeks, offering an advantageous alternative in shorter-growing regions. Yet, detailed guidance on its cultivation and fruit quality is scarce. To aid growers, a two-year study at the Western Agricultural Research Center assessed the ripening timelines of 15 haskap varieties, providing critical data to optimize harvest timing and management practices. Throughout the growing seasons of 2022 and 2023, from May through August, fruit quality and ripening stages were closely monitored two to three times a week by collecting berry samples. From these samples, traits such as total soluble solids content (Brix), pH, total acidity (TA), single berry mass, and berry color changes were measured. Assessment of this phenotypic data revealed distinct patterns for each trait across the different varieties studied. Cultivars such as 'Blue Goose', 'Boreal Beauty', and 'Sugar Mountain Blue' reached their harvest readiness sooner, around approximately 650 growing degree days (GDD) for the year, followed by a reduction in berry size due to water loss and a rise in sugar concentration. In contrast, Aurora, Tana, and Kawai matured more slowly, achieving peak ripeness near ~1000 GDD. Yet, they preserved their mature fruit characteristics (consistent berry weight and sugar levels) through the sampling period’s end. These insights into the ripening patterns of haskap varieties from prominent breeding programs in North America can inform growers as they choose specific cultivars and decide on optimal harvest times.
