Thornless blackberry, planting care

Planting and care of thornless blackberries are carried out on a general basis. Thornless varieties make it easier to care for the plant and pick berries. Such shrubs are becoming increasingly popular, and the berries are distinguished by their high taste characteristics and good disease resistance. Blackberries prefer well-lit, windless places with deep groundwater. Shaded places and the location of shrubs next to buildings or tall trees can significantly reduce the number of fruit buds. If there are often strong winds on the site, it is best to plant blackberries along the fence.

The time for planting can be either spring or autumn. In the autumn, the main thing is that planting work is completed before the cold weather, and in the spring it begins before the buds open.

The soil for planting should be selected as moisture-absorbing sandy loam or loamy soil with a high humus content. Blackberries grow worst on clay soils. The shrub's roots are deeper than raspberries, so it can withstand long periods of drought. The planting pit is prepared up to 60 cm deep and 50 cm wide. It is filled with manure, superphosphate and wood ash. The roots of the plant are carefully lowered over the formed mound and sprinkled with earth. After this, the blackberries need to be watered and mulched.

Caring for thornless blackberries involves tying them to trellises, loosening and pruning. Trellis are necessary for full plant growth and uniform ripening of fruits. Branches that bear fruit, as well as damaged or diseased ones, need pruning. Blackberries do not require watering, since the location of the root system allows it to obtain the necessary nutrients from the soil. Stagnation of water has a bad effect on the life of the plant, which can provoke various diseases. It is important that the soil has good drainage for normal root development.

Blackberries ripen in late July - early August. The ripeness of the fruit is determined by the rich black color and pulp of the berries.

Foliar feeding of blackberries

Foliar feeding of blackberries is used for better absorption of nutrients by the plant. They are carried out in the spring, when the root system has not yet fully woken up from the winter period. In this case, it is possible to influence the growth and quality of fruiting by spraying. This method is often carried out in conjunction with the use of pesticides and other plant treatments.

Important: During foliar feeding, it is not recommended to expose the leaves to direct sunlight, otherwise this can lead to burns.

Feeding is best done in dry weather, at least two hours before rain. Otherwise, microelements will not have time to be absorbed. The following fertilizers are used for blackberries: phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium and others. Use highly concentrated solutions with an optimal water temperature of no higher than 25 °C. In this case, moisture evaporates from the outer surface of the leaves within half an hour. The temperature of the sheet on the inside is lower, so evaporation takes longer - about 1 hour. In cloudy weather, or after sunset, moisture can remain on the leaves for up to several hours.

Foliar feeding is an effective way to help a plant at any stage of development.

Blackberry planting depth

The survival rate of the bush and its subsequent development depend on the depth of planting of blackberries. Blackberries grow in one place for about 15 years with regular fruiting. Therefore, the seedling is planted in a suitable place without subsequent transplantation. The planting depth will depend on the age of the seedling and its root system. It is best to plant annual plants with dense stems 0.5 cm thick. If the roots are well developed, it is not recommended to make planting holes deeper than 60 cm. Before placing them in the hole, the roots of the plant must be placed in a container with water for a couple of hours. This procedure is useful for removing clods of earth and saturating the roots with moisture. To better stimulate their activity, you can add special mixtures to the water.

Important: Do not keep the roots in water for too long, otherwise this will lead to leaching of minerals and weakening the plant.

The roots are placed in the planting hole in a straightened form and gradually sprinkled with earth. Between sprinkling, it is necessary to water the soil so that it settles better. Planting too deeply and deepening the root collar will slow down the growth of blackberries.

You can plant the plant using the bush method, leaving a distance of about one and a half meters between the planting holes. The strip planting method is also popular, in which up to 2.5 meters are left between rows, and only 0.5 m between bushes.

Wild blackberries - care and cultivation

Caring for and growing wild blackberries involves fertilizing, watering, pruning and staking. Wild blackberries are found in nature throughout almost the entire territory of Russia. Distributed in some European countries and North America. Wild blackberry is a low shrub about one and a half meters in height with numerous thorny shoots. It blooms in June with small white flowers. Fruiting is extended - from August to September. The berries are elongated black and purple in color.

Grow blackberries in a well-lit place without excess humidity and shade. Blackberries are quite moisture-loving, but the deep location of the roots allows them to obtain all the necessary nutrients from the soil. Additional watering is necessary only in spring and during the formation of ovaries. Mulching will help retain moisture and prevent many diseases.
Blackberry branches can bend under the weight of the fruit, so it is recommended to use trellises to secure them. In autumn, sanitary and rejuvenating pruning is carried out, removing damaged and old branches. Some varieties may not tolerate winter well, so they need additional shelter.

Blackberry Black Satin, description

Description of Black Satin blackberry will be useful to those who have this plant variety growing on their property. The plant is tall and can reach up to 7 meters in height. In the first year of planting, the shrub is characterized by active growth, developing powerful vertical shoots. But already in the second year the shoots grow in width and require fixation on a support. This variety does not have root shoots. The berries ripen from August to September and are black in color. The fruits are slightly elongated and medium in size. With the correct arrangement of branches and sufficient sunlight, the berries can reach up to 7 grams. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour.

Good care and sufficient watering can provide a more pronounced sweet taste of berries and good yield. The berries have a short shelf life and are well suited for preparing homemade preparations and other dishes.

Caring for blackberries involves tying, pruning, watering and loosening. When planting, preference should be given to seedlings with a closed root system. It is best to purchase planting material from a nursery. This way you will get a healthy, high-quality plant completely ready for planting on the site. Such a shrub has a better chance of survival and is better resistant to disease and frost.