Description and characteristics of blackberries of the Agavam variety, planting and care

In addition to fruit trees, summer residents plant berry bushes, harvesting from which they pamper their household and stock up on vitamins for the winter. The Agawam blackberry has a 150-year history. During this time, it became widespread throughout Russia. Summer residents appreciate it for its unpretentiousness and abundant harvests.

History of selection of the Agavam variety

No one knows exactly about the origin of the blackberry species. What is known is that it was created in the USA. The parent varieties were wild-growing representatives of the crop. The first mention of it dates back to 1865. At that time, the berries were considered large and tasty.

Pros and cons of blackberries

The Agavam plant has many positive and negative characteristics. Summer residents are divided into two “camps”: some advise growing it, while others, on the contrary, say that it needs to be removed from the site. The decision is up to the gardener.

Pros:

• unpretentiousness;
• high productivity;
• excellent taste;
• resistant to getting wet;
• versatility of application;
• able to bear fruit for 15 years, being in the same place;
• preservation of presentation during long-term transportation.

Minuses:

• strongly growing growth;
• loss of taste characteristics when overripe;
• sharp thorns on stems and leaves.

Planting Agave blackberries on the plot will not cause difficulties for the gardener; it will be difficult to deal with the constantly developing shoots, which are not stopped by any obstacle.

General characteristics of culture

The appearance and characteristic features of the plant are necessary for the summer resident to become familiar with. This information helps to correctly distribute places on the site and allocate a separate section for blackberries.

Fruit

The berries of the Agavam variety are not very large. Their weight reaches 5 g, oval shape. There are practically no thorns on the stalk. The taste, according to tasters, is 3.5 points.It is sweet and sour with a standard culture-specific aroma.

Bush and foliage

A medium-sized blackberry plant produces few side shoots. Agave is not spreading, but forms a lot of shoots. The berry grows on 2-year-old shoots. The blackberry variety Agavam is shade-tolerant. The trunk and leaves are covered with sharp spines. The foliage is green in color and slightly pubescent.

Root system

The highly branched, tenacious and powerful root system allows Agave blackberries to grow in any conditions, on any type of soil.

Technical description

Data from this category of plant properties helps the summer resident understand whether the variety is suitable for growing in the region of residence.

Fruiting period and yield indicators

Up to 20 berries are formed on one shoot; they ripen separately. Therefore, harvesting is greatly extended. Productivity depends on growing conditions.

The minimum is 5 kg, the maximum is 15 kg per bush.

Taste qualities of berries and application

The fruits have a mediocre taste; tasters rate it very low. But this does not prevent gardeners from growing it on their plots. The fruits are used for:

• preparing compotes;
• cooking preserves, jams;
• frost;
• juices

The imagination of housewives has no limits, so the scope of berries is vast.

Resistance to frost and disease

Agave has average resistance to common crop diseases. It does not require special and frequent treatments against pests and diseases.

Winter hardiness is high. Sometimes the bushes go into winter covered with green foliage.

Optimal growing regions

The variety is unpretentious and is not afraid of strong drops in temperature. For these reasons, it is grown in all regions of the Russian Federation.

Reproduction methods

There are several methods of reproduction. Everyone can choose the right one for themselves: layering, shoots and seeds. Nobody propagates Agave blackberries by layering. The reason is that out of 10 buried shoots, only 1 takes root. Blackberry shoots produce very abundantly; there will definitely not be a shortage of it. Propagation by seeds is difficult and time-consuming.

The nuances of growing blackberries from seeds

Despite the fact that this process is lengthy, summer residents often use it. From the seed grows a plant that is strong, powerful and resistant to many factors.

How to collect and prepare seeds

Fruits are collected only from healthy bushes. The berries must be overripe. The blackberries are crushed into pulp. Rinse under running water until the planting material is clean. The collected seeds are dried.

Stratification of seed material before planting

The seeds are kept in damp sand for 2-3 months. Store it in the refrigerator. Optimum temperature +2…+4 ⁰С. Planting material older than 1 year is unsuitable for planting, as it loses its germination capacity. Some summer residents damage the shell of the seed with a sharp object before planting.

Timing and technique of sowing

To prevent planting from being unsuccessful, it is necessary to follow a certain technology. Prepare the containers and fill them with fertile soil. Fill the container 2/3 full so that as the seedlings grow, soil can be added, stimulating the formation of additional roots. Then grooves are made, deepening the planting material by 3-5 cm. They are tightened with polyethylene. Water every 2 weeks.

in spring

Planted in February in containers. Organize additional lighting. After 2.5 months they are planted in a permanent place.Growing at home allows you to pay more attention to seedlings and get healthy bushes.

in autumn

When the leaves fall, a bed is formed and planted directly in a permanent place. The seeds lie all winter, awaken in the spring and begin to grow. The seedlings obtained in this way are more hardy.

Seedling care

Agavam blackberries need care in the same way as other plants on the site. Gardeners recommend following standard agrotechnical practices.

Watering and loosening

Water as the top layer dries. After each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil to provide the root system with oxygen.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing with organic matter and complex mineral fertilizers will help grow powerful and strong plants. It is advisable to alternate fertilizers with each other.

Seasonal pest and disease control

Agavam blackberries are immune to diseases, so if planting rules and care are followed, problems with the plants should not arise. If necessary, purchase special preparations and spray the bushes with them. During flowering and fruiting, stop chemical treatment. They use folk remedies.

Garter and trimming

To increase the yield of the bush, it is necessary to trim the shoots that bear fruit during the season to the ground. For the first few years, Agaves do not need pruning, then this is done systematically in spring or autumn.

Preparing for winter

To preserve bushes in the northern regions, Agawam blackberries are covered for the winter. Use special material or improvised means, dry plant residues and polyethylene. Then add a layer of soil.

What is needed to get a good blackberry harvest?

Every gardener dreams of getting the declared harvest.But it can be very difficult to grow. High yield volumes are obtained only with proper care and proper planting.