Description of the best varieties of thornless blackberries, planting, cultivation and care

Many types of wild berries gradually migrate to summer cottages. Many people prefer sweet and aromatic blackberries, making jam and compotes from them. The berry brings great benefits to the body when eaten fresh, but it is difficult to pick because of the thorny shoots that can injure you. Breeders offer varieties of thornless blackberries, which have become popular recently.

Description of thornless blackberry varieties

Blackberries have undergone a number of changes with cultivation. What is characteristic of garden berries is that:

1. It has a compact or creeping bush shape with shoots reaching a length of 1.5 to 4 meters, smooth, without thorns.
2. A powerful branched root system helps the crop quickly adapt to new conditions.
3. Small openwork leaves are located on short petioles.
4. The flowers are white or pink and have a diameter of about 2 centimeters.
5. The berries, similar in structure to raspberries, have a large white stalk with black or dark red drupes.

Some thornless varieties are resistant to low temperatures, while others require shelter for the winter. Regular climbing blackberries take 2 years to develop. First, when young shoots grow, fruit buds are formed. Then they give berries and then the old fruit ones are cut out. Remontant types of crops without thorns can produce berries on both new and old branches.

Advantages and disadvantages

Blackberries with smooth stems are preferred because the crop:

• drought-resistant due to deep roots;
• due to late flowering, it is not exposed to spring frosts;
• produces a lot of berries of excellent quality;
• unpretentious in care;
• useful for humans;
• decorative

Blackberries can be enjoyed for a long time, as they ripen gradually. They contain many vitamins and microelements that help:

• lower blood pressure;
• eliminate flu and cold symptoms;
• heal wounds and scratches;
• improve the functioning of the digestive system;
• stop inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.

The disadvantages of the berry crop may be exposure to low temperatures in some varieties.

Varieties of thornless blackberries

If the first experiments in growing blackberries in the garden were difficult, now varieties without thorns are being chosen. Thanks to them, planting and caring for berry crops is easier. You can choose a plant that will be well adapted to harsh conditions. Many people prefer remontant varieties in order to obtain large harvests of aromatic and tasty berries every year.

New thornless blackberry varieties

Every year the number of new varieties of berry bushes increases. They contain the best qualities of garden crops.

Natchez

The berry bush produces large black fruits already in June. They taste very sweet and juicy. They do not ripen all at once, but over the course of 35-40 days. High preservation of fruits and their good transportability are noted. It is better to cover bushes with long and smooth branches with fibrous material for the winter so that they do not freeze. Otherwise, the culture does not require special care.

Ouachita

The advantage of the variety is early ripening and rich yields, up to 30 kilograms per bush.When growing, maintain the optimal distance by tying the branches to the trellis. Before wintering, plants are covered with non-woven material or spruce branches.

Chester

One of the common varieties of berry crops ripens in mid-summer. Fruiting occurs over a long period of time, within 30-40 days. The crop is valued because it is not thorny and bears large berries that taste sweet. Although there is a slight sourness in them. The shape of the bush is semi-creeping. Fruit-bearing shoots are cut out annually to obtain up to 15 kilograms of yield per bush. The plant can withstand frosts below 20 degrees, but gardeners believe that it is better to cover the plant before the onset of cold weather.

Black Satin

One of the old types of crops, which pleases with yields of up to 10-15 kilograms per bush. Productivity increases if the plant is properly cared for, following the rules of agricultural technology. The fruits of the plant reach 5 grams, have a sweet taste, rarely with a high acid content. The rigid, semi-creeping shoots of blackberries reach 5 meters, so they are pressed to the ground at a young age.

The varietal crop differs:

• resistance to frost;
• unpretentiousness in care;
• duration of fruiting;
• resistance to diseases.

The only drawback is that the berries do not tolerate transportation well.

Loch Tay

The variety is famous for:

• gives yields of up to 10-12 kilograms;
• bears fruit with large berries weighing 5-6 grams each;
• bush with shoots 5 meters long;
• withstands temperatures down to 20 degrees below zero.

The bushes are grown on trellises with a distance between them of 2-3 meters.

Kiova

This crop is one of the largest-fruited. Although this blackberry is not thornless, there are few sharp thorns on the shoots. For the sake of high yields of delicious sweet fruits, it is worth growing this variety every year.Each berry can reach 20 grams and ripens at the end of July. Black fruits have been collected for a long time. They retain freshness for a long time and tolerate transportation well.

Columbia Star

For those who are starting grow blackberries in the garden, it is worth paying attention to this variety. The advantages of the crop include early ripening and unusual berries weighing 10-15 grams each. They retain their presentation for a long time and taste good. This is the most suitable plant for the southern regions. It does not tolerate cold well, but is resistant to drought.

Chačanska Bestrna

This crop has sweet and sour berries weighing 10 grams. Their ripening begins in the first ten days of July. Thornless shoots are easy to care for. They only require a garter as they reach a length of more than 3 meters. The plant is noted for its frost resistance, although it is advised to cover the bushes in regions with cold winters.

The disadvantages include the low transportability of the berries, which quickly begin to lose their shape and leak juice.

Doyle

This crop is most suitable for the southern regions. In good conditions, fruit yields are off the charts, as up to 50 kilograms are harvested from one bush. In the northern regions, the plant does not have time to ripen, since ripe fruits begin to be collected only in August.

In addition to generous harvests, the crop is famous for its resistance to heat.

Waldo

The creeping thornless variety of blackberry has been known for a long time. It belongs to plants with medium ripening periods. The first berries weighing 6-8 grams appear in early July. They are aromatic, with a sweet and sour taste. They choose a plant for planting in small summer cottages, because the shoots reach a length of only 2 meters. They must be tied to a support and covered for the winter.

Loch Ness

The taste of the berries differs little from wild blackberries, and they are similar in weight, up to 5 grams each. From one bush you can collect up to 25 kilograms. The characteristics of the plant are its unpretentiousness and high productivity. The crop multiplies quickly, so it is suitable for growing berries for sale. The fruits reach full maturity in early August.

Oregon Thornless

The variety is considered one of the best, because the bushes not only produce tasty berries, but can also decorate the area. Creeping shoots up to 4 meters long are used in creating arches, decorating gazebos, and recreation areas. Black fruits have an excellent taste. The harvest may be small, only 10 kilograms per bush, but the berries are very tasty and aromatic.

Osage

For those who are not chasing high yields, but appreciate the taste of berries, this variety is suitable. The crop bears fruit with sweet, smooth berries. You can enjoy them during the second half of summer. But blackberries are suitable for those who live in the south. The plant is very tender and does not tolerate low temperatures.

Remontant varieties of blackberries

Remontant types of berry crops are used to obtain harvests annually or twice a year. If you completely cut out the plantation at the root in the fall, then the young shoots that appear in the spring will bear fruit at the end of summer. When fruit-bearing branches are cut out before winter, fruits are obtained both in mid-summer and at the end of the season. Remontant plant species are suitable for the southern regions, since the bushes often freeze out where the winters are cold. And then the blackberries will be of no use.

Freedom

Among the newest varieties, Freedom is not yet so widespread. Bushes with erect shoots 2 meters long have no thorns. The berries appear for the first time at the end of June, then in August-September. They are large and sweet.

Black Magic (Black Magic)

It is distinguished by vigorous shoots with a small number of needles. Black fruits reach a weight of 9-10 grams, juicy and sweet. Up to 5 kilograms of berries are harvested from one bush during the summer. The crop is most suitable for cultivation in central Russia, in the south. The bushes tolerate drought well, but they need to be covered for the winter.

Ruben

The berry crop bears fruit twice - in June and August. The fruits are large, up to 10 grams each. The yields are average - up to 6 kilograms per plant. The variety is distinguished by erect shoots with thorns. Plantations tolerate frosts down to -16-20 degrees. The berry grows well in the shade and does not require special care.

Prime-Ark 45

Breeders advise trying the variety for cultivation, as it is considered productive. And the quality of large berries is high. They have a pleasant taste, are aromatic, and tolerate transportation well. Although the shoots have thorns, there are few thorns.

Traveler (Prime-Ark Traveler)

The American selection crop is characterized by high yields. Bushes with erect stems without thorns have excellent adaptability to temperate climate conditions. But without shelter, preferably a two-layer spandball, the shoots can freeze.

Frost-resistant varieties

For regions with cool summers and frosts, winter-hardy plant species are suitable. There are few such varieties, but it is best for gardeners in Siberia and the Urals to choose them. Then you can be sure that the berries will have time to ripen, and the flowers will survive the spring frosts.

Blackberry variety Agawam

One of the popular berry crops intended for cultivation in areas with temperate climates. Agave is valued for:

• bush power;
• decorativeness of erect and creeping shoots;
• clusters of berries in black classic color;
• yields of 15 kilograms per bush.

The plant bears fruit for 15 years, producing stable yields. In addition to resistance to low temperatures, the variety tolerates heat well and grows well in the shade. The berry rarely gets sick.

Blackberry Polar

Thornless shoots reach a height of 2-2.5 meters. They are smooth, not prickly. The fruits become ripe from the end of June - beginning of July. They are distinguished by their weight of 10 grams, deep black color, and sweet taste. The berries are characterized by long-term preservation of their presentation after transportation.

The plantation of the berry crop does not need to be covered in the fall, as it is winter-hardy.

Rules for choosing a suitable thornless blackberry variety

For those who want to grow fruit crops on their plot, they must consider whether the variety can withstand the climatic conditions of the region. After all, many of the plants can only ripen in warm climates. Spring frosts pose a danger to the crop, which can destroy the future harvest.

For the Moscow region

Regardless of the region's winter temperatures, it is best to cover blackberry bushes in the fall. Then we can say with confidence that the plant will bear fruit. Gardeners most choose those varieties that can withstand temperatures of 16-20 degrees below 0.

During snowstorms, it is better to bend the bushes to the ground or tie them to a trellis. They will not break under heavy snow cover.

For central Russia

Gardeners in these areas are offered those crops that are well adapted to cool summers, winds and snowy winters. The thornless version of the berry bush is most suitable when it can be resistant to frost. Bushes with medium-length shoots are better suited. This is the Doyle variety, which grows well in the shade and tolerates light frosts. Of the repairers - Ruben.It is necessary to cover the berry plantation before the onset of cold weather.

For the Urals

Blackberries can grow in harsh conditions, but they choose crop types that can withstand both frost and cold winds. Flowers often die from return frosts in the spring. Therefore, frost-resistant plant species are preferable. This is together with Polar Agawam. You can use Black Satin or Waldo, but with shelter for the winter.

Propagation of thornless blackberries

Berry crops can be propagated in different ways. The seed method is rarely used, since it is not always possible to obtain the desired result. Most often they prefer propagation by vegetation. The optimal time for the procedure is considered to be autumn. Before winter, the roots of the plant will have time to get stronger, and in the spring they will produce young shoots.

Burying branches

The method involves obtaining a large number of young bushes. They take part of the horizontal apical layering and bend it to the ground without separating it from the mother bush. Then sprinkle the base with earth, leaving the top above the surface of the soil. To stop growth, shoots are pruned. To better secure the layering, it is pinned. The procedure is performed in early August.

Water for 1-2 months so that the branch takes root. In the first half of October, it is necessary to carefully separate the shoot with roots and transplant it to a new place.

Root shoots

The berry takes root best when propagated by root shoots. When the November cold sets in, the roots of the bush are slightly exposed and cuttings are cut from 6 to 9 centimeters long. Select those processes that are 1.5 centimeters thick. Store planting material in bags in the refrigerator or cellar. It is necessary to inspect the cuttings and ventilate them at least once a week.In February the shoots are placed in nutrient soil, and in April the grown shoots are placed in a permanent place in the garden.

Cuttings

Green cuttings are cut in autumn in October. Their length should not be less than 40 centimeters. All that remains is to dig them into the ground and leave them until spring. As soon as the snow melts, the lightly trimmed shoots are covered with film, creating a small greenhouse. They are regularly watered and the soil is loosened. The appearance of leaves is a signal for replanting to a permanent location.

When to plant blackberries

Cultivating blackberries, the berry harvest depends on when the shoots were planted. You can plant berries both in autumn and spring. Everything depends on climatic and weather conditions.

in autumn

Typically, frost-resistant and early plant varieties are planted in October. They will have time to take root in a new place and adapt before the onset of cold weather. Autumn is suitable for gardeners in central Russia, the Moscow region, and the Leningrad region to plant berry bushes. The onset of winter takes place according to the calendar, and blackberries have time to prepare for unfavorable conditions. And the summer berries will have time to ripen.

in spring

Plant varieties that are not resistant to low temperatures are best planted in the spring, in April. In this case, the soil should warm up to 10-15 degrees Celsius. For Siberia and the Urals, the spring planting date is chosen.

Features of planting blackberries

In order for the cultivation of berries to be effective, it is necessary to plant the seedlings correctly. In addition to timing, it is important to choose the right place for planting plants and prepare the soil. Without maintaining the distance between bushes and rows, it is difficult to obtain rich fruit yields.

Selecting a location

Most of all, a blackberry plantation needs light.Therefore, it is better to lay a bed for seedlings in an open and sunny place. It is advisable that nothing shields the berry plants from the sun. It is necessary to protect the blackberry from cold winds. Therefore, shoots are planted near the fence, retreating 1 meter from it.

Priming

The area for cultivation is prepared in advance. In the fall, they dig it up, add humus or compost - a bucket per square meter. The depth of groundwater on the site should be up to 1.5 meters. Then the blackberry roots will be able to receive moisture from groundwater. In the spring, before planting, you need to scatter 20 grams of ammonium nitrate over the garden bed.

Preparation of the trellis

You can prepare a trellis in advance for tying up shoots. Along the edges of the row, wooden or metal posts 2 meters high are dug in. The wire is pulled between the supports in strips of 1 or 2 rows.

Site preparation

When the area is dug to a depth of 35 to 50 centimeters and cleared of weeds, all that remains is to apply fertilizer in the form of superphosphate and potassium salt 2 weeks before planting.

On acidic soils, an additional 200-400 grams of ground limestone is needed.

Preparing planting holes

The holes for seedlings are prepared in 2-3 days. Before digging holes, the ground is harrowed and loosened. The size of the hole can be 35 x 35 x 30 centimeters. If the bed has not been fertilized, then a quarter of a bucket of humus mixed with superphosphate (7 grams), potassium salt (3 grams), and soil is placed in each hole.

Landing technology

Fruit plants are planted vertically, placing surface roots at a depth of 4-5 centimeters from the surface. After sprinkling the seedling with soil, lightly compact the layer of soil. After planting, water the shoots and pour a layer of mulch 6-8 centimeters thick around the stems.You can mulch with sawdust, peat, straw.

Distance between bushes and rows of blackberries when planting

The gap between planting holes can be 1.5 meters if the bushes are compact. For creeping species, a distance of 1.8-2 meters is needed. A gap of 2 or 3 meters is left between the rows.

Rules for caring for blackberries

Fruiting and the quality of berries depend on how the agricultural technology of the garden crop is followed. Although blackberries are unpretentious plants, they require constant care.

Watering

If you water the shoots abundantly immediately after planting and after another 3-5 days, then the rows are additionally moistened 2 times during the season. Increase the amount of watering when there is no rain for a long time. The last time to moisten is in October before wintering.

Loosening the soil

Loosen and weed the garden beds as needed. Mulching will replace loosening, and moisture will remain in the soil longer. Timely application of mulch will allow the soil to remain free of weeds.

How to trim blackberries

During the development of the plantation, sanitary pruning of dry fruit-bearing branches is necessary in the fall or spring. To form a bush, weak shoots are removed. In the 3-4th year of life, blackberries leave no more than 10-15 annual shoots. The rest are cut out near the ground. Don’t forget to thin out the bushes before flowering, in June.

How to tie blackberries

The shoots of the plant must be tied to the trellis. At the same time, they are arranged fan-wise. The bushes will have enough light, and they will begin to bear fruit earlier. You can weave branches between rows of wire.

Blackberry shelter for the winter

For thornless blackberries, shelter for the winter is a must. Prepare plants for cold weather after pruning. The shoots removed from the trellises are bent to the ground, pinned and the tops are sprinkled with earth.You can insulate with spruce branches or layers of non-woven material.

Pests and diseases: precautions

Blackberries and raspberries have the same pests, since the plants are relatives. Blackberry plantations are affected by the raspberry weevil, stem fly, and raspberry beetle. They fight parasites by spraying with insecticidal agents. Infusions of tobacco, celandine, and tansy help get rid of them.

Fungal diseases affect crops during wet and cool periods of the growing season. The disease can be identified by brownish and whitish coatings on the leaves and stems. If signs of pathology are detected, the affected parts are cut out, and the bushes are treated three times with Bordeaux mixture with a break of 10 days.