Are you picking them a few days after they turn blue? Or waiting like two or three weeks? Because they turn blue waaaaaaay before they sweeten up and develop flavor.
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yea, like persimmons and some others they are astringent and need to be fully ripe before picked.
If you cut one in half you will see it is still greenish inside and that is not done. They’ll be deep blue/purple when done (and also slightly soft)
I don’t go by softness it is difficult with berries imo. I just wait a while then cut 1 in half and if it is done I figure most of the rest probably are. They also basically fall off the plant when fully done if you slap it with your finger and it falls it is done
The bigger they grow the sweeter they get, this goes for the bush too after a few years they’ll be the full size berry but if the plant is still a small plant it won’t have full size berries either.
As far as “good flavor” it’s all matter of opinion, the one that is probably the sweetest is blue banana Blue Banana Honeyberry Haskap
and also Honey Beast Honeyberries (PPAF) early-mid season 12cm Zones 2-7
These both are russian types and will pollinate each other
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yea sounds like they don’t like it there, whatever it is. hard to tell since so many variables. They also have some of the most shallow roots of any plant (certainly the most shallow of any I’ve ever grown) they grow along the very surface and want constant moisture.
I agree with your methods though. If something doesn’t grow well for me I don’t bother, there are tens of thousands of fruiting plants to grow.
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I see, thank you for the information! I will give them more years then to grow bigger, and hopefully sweeter. That is good advice on cutting them in half and checking the color.
Since they are still just two years old, I think I will also move them to a place with more shade and where the soil is moister.