Description and characteristics of Brzezina blackberries, planting and care

Gardeners are still looking closely at Brzezina blackberries. The hybrid appeared on the market recently. Time will tell whether the form will become popular. Over the several years that have passed since its appearance in gardens, not all of the characteristics declared by the manufacturer have yet been confirmed.

History of origin

Work to create a new promising blackberry variety was carried out in the city of Brzezna (Poland). This is where its name Brzezina came from. The authors were doctors of the Institute of Horticulture Agnieszka Orel, John Danek. The pedigree of Brzezina blackberries began with varieties:

• Darrow;
• Black Satin.

Both forms are productive and have excellent taste. Gardeners have recently had the opportunity to purchase seedlings of a new variety. They went on sale in the 2015 season.

External characteristics

The potential of the Brzezin hybrid has not yet been revealed. Several more years must pass in order to objectively evaluate the selection description of the new form and the real results.

Bush and foliage

The bushes are medium spreading, covered with light green serrated leaves with a corrugated surface. The variety belongs to the semi-creeping type of blackberries. Growth vigor is high. Shoots without thorns. At the beginning of the growing season they are light green, but by autumn they darken and turn brown.

In the second year after planting, the plant forms no more than 3 replacement shoots. Mature bushes have a high shoot-forming ability. Root shoots are formed due to damage to the roots during processing of the trunk circle.

Type and taste of berries

The taste of the pulp (% sugar, acid) depends on the conditions (soil, light, planting density), its structure is dense, so the berries do not wrinkle during transportation.

In a refrigerator, fruits can be stored for 3 to 5 days.

Advantages of the Brzezina variety

All the pros and cons of the new hybrid form are shown in the table.

Crop yield

Powerful semi-creeping shoots have many branches, densely covered with fruit branches. From 10 to 12 fruits are formed in one brush.

Flowering period and ripening time

Fruiting is extended (5-6 weeks). The berries ripen from late June to early August. Harvesting is carried out as they ripen. The variety was declared as ultra-early, but in the conditions of the middle zone it will ripen in the middle period.

Fruiting period

The first harvest is harvested from a 2-year-old bush. He is not big. Full fruiting begins in the 3rd year. In their homeland, Poland, Brzezina berries ripen in early July. In the south and central Russia, the deadlines are shifted by 2 weeks.

Gardeners in Ukraine harvest Brzezina blackberries at the end of July.

Yield indicators

Productivity depends on the agrotechnical background and weather conditions. According to available statistics, the average adult bush produces up to 8 kg of berries. Freezing of fruit buds reduces productivity.

Where are the fruits used?

The fruits have a universal purpose. There are four main areas of use:

1. The fruits are consumed fresh.
2. The berries are deep frozen.
3. Jams and preserves are made from Brzezin blackberries.
4. The harvest is used in home winemaking.

Technical indicators

When choosing a new variety (hybrid) of blackberries, the gardener must evaluate its capabilities, attitude to diseases, and requirements for weather conditions.

Immunity to pests and diseases

With proper care and planned preventive measures, the bushes and fruits of Brzezin blackberries do not suffer from fungal diseases and pest invasions.

In which regions is it recommended to plant?

The Polish variety of blackberries can be grown in Ukraine, Crimea, Krasnodar region, Volgograd region, and Moscow region. If in Poland the bushes winter well, then in the climate of Ukraine and Russia they need to be covered for the winter. Frost resistance of the mold is -24 °C.

Reproduction methods

The easiest way propagation of blackberries Brzezina - upright layering. At the beginning of September, the top of the replacement shoot is bent to the ground and dug in. After a year, a full-fledged seedling is obtained. In addition, the variety is propagated by cuttings and dividing the bush.

Soil composition requirements

Blackberries are undemanding to soil composition. The variety can be grown in any type of soil. Yields are higher if the soil meets the following requirements:

• the mechanical composition is light, medium loamy;
• there is a lot of humus;
• moisture capacity is high;
• air and water permeability is good.

Landing technology

Growing Brzezin blackberries is not difficult if you follow a few rules. The first rule is to buy high-quality annual seedlings. They should have 2 pencil-thin stems and roots about 10 cm long.

Optimal timing

In southern areas with long, warm autumns, Brzezina seedlings are planted in September-October. They have time to take root before the onset of frost.

In temperate climates, blackberries are planted in the spring (April, May). The exact timing depends on climatic conditions.

Preparing seedlings

A seedling with an open root system is placed in water overnight. Blackberries in a container need to be watered before transplanting. The shoots are shortened to a height of 10-15 cm.

Choosing the best place

The depth of groundwater is at least 1.5 meters. The area should be illuminated by the sun throughout the day. The berries lose their marketable appearance from the hot midday sun, so in the middle of the day the area should be in openwork partial shade.

Preparing the soil and planting hole

Dig planting holes measuring 0.5 x 0.5 m. The top layer is used for backfilling; if pH < 5.5, lime is added to it. For an alkaline reaction (pH > 7.5), high-moor peat is added to it. The soil is enriched with organic matter and mineral fertilizers:

• humus 1-2 buckets;
• superphosphate 150 g;
• potassium nitrate 50 g.

Landing scheme and algorithm

Farmers plant Brzezina blackberry bushes at row spacings of 1.5 m and row spacing of 2.5-3 m. Amateur gardeners adhere to a 2.5 x 3 m pattern.

Planting stages:

• Fertile soil is poured onto the bottom of the hole in a mound;
• a blackberry bush is placed on top;
• straighten the roots;
• sprinkle tightly with soil mixture;
• deepen the root collar by 2 cm;
• the hole is watered with 2-3 buckets of water, sprinkled with a layer of high-moor peat.

Cultivation care

It will not be possible to grow a productive Brzezina blackberry bush without following certain care rules.

Regularity of watering

One- and two-year-old Brzezina blackberry bushes are watered 2 times a week. The level of precipitation is taken into account. Overmoistening negatively affects the development of the root system. Adult bushes are watered as the top layer of soil dries.

Tree trunk circles are mulched with humus. The organic layer retains moisture and restores fertility.

Feeding and loosening

The feeding scheme is standard.In the spring, before flowering begins, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied. During the formation of ovaries, Brzezina blackberries need a number of useful microelements. Use complex fertilizers containing:

• phosphorus;
• iron;
• manganese;
• boron;
• potassium.

Garter

For 3-year-old blackberry bushes, a trellis 2-2.5 m high is built. To make it easier to attach the shoots, the wire is pulled in 3 rows, the bottom one at a height of 0.5 m from the ground.

Trimming

In autumn, all 2-year-old shoots are cut out at the root. In the spring, poorly overwintered and diseased branches are first removed. The main stems are shortened to 2 m, the side branches are cut to ⅓ of the length.

Preparing for winter

Before the onset of frost, the replacement shoots remaining after autumn pruning are untied from the trellis and bent to the ground. Cover them with 2-3 layers of agrofibre and wooden boxes. In winter, snow is thrown over the shelter.