Mongolian Blueberry 1-Year-Old Seedling

Origin country

Croatia

Origin region

Zagreb County

Quantity available

500 Unit

Courier delivery

Yes

This plant originates from Canada, where it was created by crossing Mongolian and certain other species from South America. In Canada, it is also known as 'little apple.' The crossbreeding resulted in large fruit, with some varieties averaging up to 1.43 cm in diameter. The plant produces evenly ripened fruit. The ripe berries are dark blue, covered with a waxy coating, very tasty, with a mild flavor and juicy, offering an ideal balance of sugar and acidity. The lower and middle parts of the plant yield abundantly. The shrub grows to about 3 m, has a rounded shape, and is a highly variable species—it can form either a shrub or a small tree. Growth vigor varies, ranging from 30 cm to 6 m in height, though young shoots initially grow upward. During the growing season, the plant produces many shoots, typically forming a large, dense shrub. The bark is reddish-brown; young branches are wrinkled, while older ones are smooth. The leaves are usually oval, with coarsely serrated edges, about 7 cm long and 4 cm wide. The foliage develops during the flowering period from May 1st to 15th. The flowers are white, appearing in clusters of several dozen.

The fruit is round, typically dark blue or purple-black, with an average weight of 0.5–0.7 g and a diameter of 10–15 mm (up to 18 mm). It ripens from mid to late June, and the berries can remain on the shrub until winter. The fruit is very juicy, sweet, and flavorful. It is characterized by a high content of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, minerals, and vitamins from groups A, B, C, and E, giving it anticancer and therapeutic properties. It has quickly found its place in herbal medicine. Mongolian blueberries are richer in minerals and have better nutritional properties than the well-known American blueberry. For example, 100 g of frozen Mongolian blueberries contains approximately 7 times more calcium and iron than the American variety, and 4 times more potassium and protein.

In potential production, they represent a great resource for making jams and juices. In processing, they are used as an additive (flavor enhancer) for other fruit products, especially those with a sour taste. However, their greatest advantage lies in fresh sales on the EU market, where strong interest was shown after presentations by Canadian growers. These growers are turning their export potential toward Japan, alongside the traditional market for Siberian blueberries.

Growing Requirements

In nature, the ancestors of Mongolian blueberries typically grow in open forests, on slopes, ravines, along streams, and river mouths, as well as in dry, sunny, rocky soils and very moist, fertile lowland soils. They do not thrive in areas with annual precipitation below 340 mm. At the same time, they are well-adapted to areas with frequent wildfires.

The plants tolerate a wide range of soil pH (optimal 6–7.5) and different soil structures, making them hardy and long-lasting, as mentioned above. On plantations, growth is expected even after 30 years. The plants begin bearing fruit immediately after planting. A larger yield is expected from years 3–4, and full productivity is reached at 6–8 years, with an expected yield of 8–10 t/hectare or 7.5 kg of berries per plant. The plants are self-pollinating, and the fruit ripens in clusters 45–60 days after flowering, i.e., in late June or early July, before currants and blueberries. Young shoots require rich, humus soil initially, but once the plants harden, they need little more than care. They thrive better in partial shade or full shade, which helps maintain soil moisture. The Mongolian blueberry is frost-resistant—shoots and flower buds can withstand temperatures down to -50°C during dormancy, though flowers may still be damaged by late spring frosts. The plants require a very short period of absolute dormancy, 400–600 hours at 0–7°C. No diseases or pests have been recorded on them.

The leaves and young shoots of the Mongolian blueberry are a tasty food, especially in winter, from December to March. Protection from wildlife and domestic animals such as sheep or goats is recommended. Although birds might eat the fruit, as expected with Siberian blueberries and goji berries, no serious attacks have occurred so far.

Plantation cultivation methods used by Canadian producers and recommended by experts: 1m x 4.5m, 1m x 4.75m, 1m x 6.2m, 1.25m x 4.5m, or 1.25m x 4.75m, i.e., 2,200–1,760 plants per hectare.