Honeysuckle-Haskap (Lonicera kamtschatica) TOMI

Honeyberry / Haskap (Lonicera kamtschatica) 'Tomi' (PBR)

Extremely hardy and high-yielding American variety with late ripening.

'Tomi' (protected variety) is a sibling to the well-known 'Lori' variety, originating from the American breeding program. It is highly sought after for its absolute undemanding nature and ability to withstand extreme conditions – it survives frosts down to -45 °C and tolerates prolonged periods of drought. It offers an exceptionally high yield of heavier fruits. Thanks to its late flowering and ripening, it is ideal for extending the honeyberry harvest season.

Key Highlights:

• Extreme resilience: Hardy down to -45 °C and drought-tolerant.
• High productivity: A mature bush produces up to 6 kg of fruit.
• Heavier fruits: Berry weight reaches 2.5 to 3.5 g.
• Late harvest: Extends the fresh fruit season (ripens in July).
• Excellent fruit shelf life (up to 4 weeks refrigerated).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (Oregon, Corvallis). Breeder: Maxine M. Thompson.
• Registration: Applied for CPVO plant variety rights (application no. 20180768).

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Medium vigor.
• Habit: Compared to 'Lori', the bush is wider and more spreading.
• Flowering: Blooms very late (May to June), safely escaping any spring frosts.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Medium-sized, with above-average weight for honeyberries (2.5 – 3.5 g).
• Shape and Color: Oval, barrel-shaped. Dark blue to deep garnet with a waxy bloom.
• Taste: Sweet-sour, slightly tart (a bolder flavor profile).
• Usage: Excellent for the processing industry, but also suitable as dessert fruit.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost and Drought: Top-tier resilience even in the most demanding climatic conditions.
• Maintenance: Highly sensitive to weed competition. The area around the root collar must be kept clean (mulching is recommended).

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: To ensure high yields, it must be planted alongside other late-blooming honeyberry varieties.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late variety, ripening in the first half of July.
• Shelf life: Very good, maintains quality in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks.