VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MONTANA BLUE HUCKLEBERRY (VACCINIUM GLOBULARE RYDB.)

The Montana blue huckleberry (Vaccinium globulare Rydb.) is a popular and highly sought wild fruit in the western United States. Because it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet growing market demands from wild harvests, growers and state officials are funding projects to in vestigate cultivation of the fruit. This study investigates the vegeta tive and reproductive growth patterns of this species as a prelude to its cultivation. Such information is critical in properly scheduling f ertilizing, pruning and other cultural practices. The species produces fixed sympodial, non-episodic vegetative extension growth over a four -week period each season, followed by apical abortion and the formatio n of vegetative or mixed buds. Floret differentiation begins shortly a fter cessation of shoot growth and all floral parts are differentiated by late summer of the year prior to anthesis.