Description and characteristics of the Karaka Black blackberry variety, planting and care

Karaka Black blackberries are grown for their delicious berries. The shiny black fruits, the size of a matchbox, have a delicious taste. The variety is suitable for commercial cultivation. Decorative bushes will decorate any amateur garden. Thanks to extended fruiting, there will be fresh, healthy berries on the table.

History of the development of the Karaka Black variety

A hybrid form of blackberry was obtained in New Zealand. Harvey Hall worked on it from 1982 to 2003. As parent forms I used well-known blackberry varieties of American selection:

• Aurora;
• Comanche.

Advantages and disadvantages of culture

One of the disadvantages is the spikes. Because of them, farmers are not very fond of the shape, as they complicate the care of blackberries. The disadvantages of Karaka Black include unstable immunity to anthracnose and the need for artificial shade in the heat. Young replacement shoots and fruits suffer from direct sunlight.

The advantages of the variety include:

• large fruit sizes;
• high density of pulp, good transportability of berries;
• wonderful raspberry-blackberry taste;
• self-pollinating;
• early maturation;
• long fruiting;
• high productivity.

General description of blackberries

The fruits are the main advantage of Karaka Black. It is thanks to their characteristics that the old variety is so in demand.

Berries

The size of the fruit is impressive. The length of the largest specimens reaches 5 cm, and weight up to 10 g or more. The taste depends on the climate. In southern gardens, the pulp contains more sugars. In temperate climates, Karaka Black berries are less sweet.

The shape of the fruit is cone-cylindrical. Color changes as it ripens:

• originally red;
• in technical ripeness shiny, black;
• when fully ripe, dull black.

Bush and foliage

The bush is formed from creeping shoots. According to the Russian classification, Karaka Black is included in the dew group. The length of replacement shoots reaches 3-4 m. Individual branches reach 5 meters.The spines are small and hard.

A large number of fruiting branches are formed on the shoots. In an adult plant, 3-6 fruits are formed in the brush, on young bushes - from 2 to 3 pieces.

The leaf shape is 3-5 lobed. Most plates are green, but yellow ones may occur. This shade is a varietal feature, and not a sign of disease.

Root system

At a depth of 60 cm there is the main part of the root system; the most powerful roots penetrate 1 m into the soil. There are no root shoots. This makes caring for the plantings easier.

Specifications

Analysis of technical characteristics helps when choosing a new variety for the garden. You need to know the frost resistance of blackberries, yield, and regions recommended for cultivation.

Fruiting dates and yield indicators

Karaka Black berries are among the first to ripen. In southern latitudes, the first wave of berries is harvested on June 10-15. In temperate latitudes, harvesting begins in late June. The fruiting period lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. Adult plants (3 years old and older) produce a full harvest. 10-12 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. On industrial plantations in New Zealand, 25 centners of marketable berries are obtained from 1 hectare.

Tasting evaluation of berries and application

Karaka Black berries are highly valued on the market. The scope of their application is wide. They are always in demand because they are stored for a long time and do not wrinkle during transportation. The main directions for using Karaka Black blackberries:

• fresh consumption;
• deep freeze;
• preparations (juice, jams, preserves);
• winemaking.

Resistance to low temperatures and infections

The form is not frost-resistant. Flower buds and shoots freeze slightly if the temperature drops below -15 °C. Immunity to most diseases is high, and preventive measures are mandatory to maintain health.

Recommended growing areas

Amateur gardeners grow Karaka Black in Siberia, the Urals, the Moscow region and, of course, in the southern regions. The frost resistance of shoots and buds is not high, so even in warm climates the bushes are covered for the winter.

Reproduction methods

The variety is easily propagated by apical layering. If the shoots are not tied to a trellis, they will take root themselves when they come into contact with the ground. Layerings retain all varietal characteristics.

To replenish the collection, seedlings are purchased from nurseries.

Landing technique

Karaka Black in private gardens is planted at intervals of 3 m. On industrial plantations, a planting step of 1.5 m is allowed.

Preparation of planting material

Saplings with an open root system are kept in water for 12 hours. Plants in containers are watered before transplanting.

Choosing the best place

The sweet taste of blackberries depends on the light. In temperate latitudes, bushes are planted in areas illuminated by the sun throughout the day. In southern latitudes, plantings are shaded in the midday heat.

Soil composition requirements

Before planting, humus and long-term mineral fertilizers are added to the soil. Superphosphate and potassium nitrate are used. Improve structure, normalize acidity:

• high-moor peat is added to alkaline and neutral soil;
• add sand to clay soil, and organic matter to carbonate soil;
• acidic soil is limed.

Timing and technology of planting

In temperate latitudes, seedlings are planted in the spring. The soil should warm up to a depth of 0.5 m. In southern latitudes, autumn planting is practiced. Seedlings planted in spring suffer from the heat and take longer to adapt.Blackberries are planted in holes (50 x 50 cm), the root collar is buried 1.5-2 cm:

• form a hole;
• watered;
• The tree trunk circle is mulched.

Specifics of care

Caring for Karaka Black plantings is standard. Necessary activities are carried out throughout the growing season.

Irrigation, loosening and fertilization

Bush formation

In autumn, 2-year-old shoots (bearing fruit) are cut out. For 1 adult bush, 6 to 8 replacement shoots are left.

Garter to supports

To grow Karaka Black, build a trellis 1.5 (1.7) m high. Stretch 3 rows of wire:

• 1st row - 0.9 m;
• 2nd row - 1.2 m;
• 3rd row - 1.5 m.

Treatment against diseases and pests

The main danger for Karaka Black plantings are fungal diseases:

• anthracnose;
• powdery mildew;
• gray mold (botrytis).

The main causes of diseases: flaws in agricultural technology, damp, cool weather. The appearance of replacement gray spots with a violet or purple border on the leaves and shoots indicates an outbreak of anthracnose. Botrytis can be diagnosed by spots, dry leaves covered in spores.

The causative agent of gray rot can destroy a young bush in a week. Fruits affected by the fungus are not suitable for consumption. The causative agent of powdery mildew is activated in warm, humid weather. It affects berries, young leaves, and growing points. The first sign of infection is a white coating.

Approximate action plan for the control and prevention of fungal diseases:

• in early spring, applying organic and mineral fertilizers;
• plantation sanitation;
• spraying with fungicides before flowering, when shoots reach a length of 30 cm, after final harvesting.

The following drugs are used: “Fundazol”, copper sulfate (5%), “Topaz”, “Kuproksat”.

How to prepare for winter

Flexible annual shoots are tied into bunches, laid on the ground or bent down, secured with staples. Karaka Black bushes are covered with straw, hay, spruce branches, or non-woven covering material is used.

It is pulled over the arcs in 1-2 layers. It is not inferior in efficiency to natural materials. Blackberries in Siberia winters in trenches. They don't dig deep. The shoots are placed in them and covered with a layer of covering material. In winter they pile up snow. A good harvest is guaranteed if there are Karaka Black blackberry bushes in the garden.