How does cranberries grow?

The ancient seafarers knew about the benefits and curative power of cranberries , they took it with them on a voyage and used it as a remedy for scurvy and a cure for other diseases. The Indians also smeared it with the juice of the meat, prolonging the period of its storage, and also prepared a berries drink and treated various skin diseases.

A few people know how and where cranberries grow, although the berry is quite common among wild-growing plants. By the way, for growing in a garden it is practically not suitable - it can be grown only a little, because the berries have special requirements for climate and soil.

Types and distribution of cranberries

There are 3 types of cranberries - common, large-fruited (American) and small-fruited (common only in Russia). Ordinary cranberries can be found throughout Eurasia. She especially likes zones with a temperate climate.

Small-fruited cranberries grow in the north of Russia, where conditions and climate suited her perfectly. In general, cranberries are common throughout Russia (not for nothing, it is famous as a native Russian berry), except for the Caucasus, the Kuban and the south of the Volga region.

In Europe, the sour and very useful cranberry berry grows north of Paris, and in America the habitat of large-fruited cranberries covers the north of the USA and Canada.

As for habitat conditions, the cranberry ordinary grows on wet soils, on swamps, in lowlands, on hilly territories, prefers troughs with standing groundwater.

It must be said that the plant is extremely sensitive to the environmental situation and immediately responds to human economic activity. In such places, cranberry bushes simply disappear.

Differences between species of cranberries

Ordinary cranberries are an evergreen shrub with thin and flexible shoots, reaching a length of 30 cm. The leaves grow small, oblong, covered with waxy on the fly. Her flowers are pinkish or light purple. Fruits have the form of an ellipse or a ball, up to 12 cm in size. Over a season, several hundred berries can grow on one bush. Blossomed bush in June, and harvest can be from September.

Small-fruited cranberries are similar in many respects to ordinary cranberries, but the fruits are smaller in size.

Large-fruited or American cranberries look different than its Eurasian cousin. This species has two subspecies - erect and creeping. The berries are of large size - sometimes their diameter reaches 25 mm. Such berries differ and acidity - they are lower.