Industrial Workhorses from the USA: Introducing the Record-Yielding Haskaps 'Lori' and 'Tomi'

01 Mar

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Industrial Workhorses from the USA: Introducing the Record-Yielding Haskaps 'Lori' and 'Tomi'

While Russian and Canadian haskap varieties are known primarily for their dessert flavor, American breeding from Oregon (under the baton of Maxine M. Thompson) focused on a different goal: maximum yield, resilience, and suitability for commercial cultivation. The sister varieties 'Lori' and 'Tomi' emerged from this program.

These two licensed (PBR) varieties are literally the "workhorses" among haskaps. Both can produce up to 6 kg of fruit from a single bush and are built to survive even the most extreme winters.

“Lori and Tomi are not primarily dessert varieties that you would pick berry by berry into a bowl. They are industrial varieties with a slightly tart, distinct flavor that are absolutely unsurpassed for making juices, jams, and freezing.”

1. 'Lori': Made for the Harvester and Efficiency

The variety 'Lori' (CPVO 20173122) is the answer to the nightmare of large-scale growers – fruit drop before harvest.

Growth and Mechanization

The bush is slender, upright, and grows up to 2 meters. Its biggest advantage is that the fruits hold firmly to the stems and do not drop spontaneously. However, once the harvesting machine arrives, they can be shaken off very easily. This makes it an ideal candidate for fully mechanized harvesting.

Fruits and Storage

The fruits are medium-sized, dark blue, barrel-shaped. They have a fine but very firm skin that resists damage. They last 2 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator without losing quality. They are harvested mid-early (mid-June).

2. 'Tomi': The Resilient Giant for Extending the Season

The sister variety 'Tomi' (CPVO 20180768) shares extreme yield (up to 6 kg/bush) with Lori, but differs significantly in other respects. It is designed to extend the season and overcome extremes.

Late Blooming, Late Bearing

While most haskaps bloom very early in spring, 'Tomi' blooms as late as May/June and ripens in the first half of July. Thus, it reliably escapes even the latest spring frosts and extends the period of fresh fruit availability.

Larger Fruits and a Drought Fighter

The fruits of the 'Tomi' variety are larger (2.5 – 3.5 g), and the bush is more spreading. Besides frost hardiness (down to -45 °C), this variety is also characterized by excellent tolerance to longer periods of summer drought.

Common Rules for Successful Cultivation

Although these American varieties are extremely resistant to frost and diseases, they share one common weakness – they cannot tolerate weed competition. To achieve the mentioned yield of 6 kg per bush, it is absolutely crucial to keep the area around the trunk weed-free (e.g., using mulching fabric or bark). Also, avoid heavy clay and overly light sandy soils.

Quick Comparison: Lori vs. Tomi

Feature	Lori	Tomi
Shape and Growth	Slender, upright	Wider, spreading
Ripening	Mid-early (June)	Late (July)
Fruit Size	Medium	Large (up to 3.5 g)
Main Advantage	Ideal for mechanical harvesting	Extends the season, tolerates drought

Conclusion

The 'Lori' and 'Tomi' varieties are not for those looking for candy-sweet fruit from the Russian steppes. They are varieties for pragmatic growers who want stability, massive production, and raw material for fantastic jams, syrups, or liqueurs. If you are planning a larger planting, this American duo should not be missing.