Description and characteristics of the Loch Tay blackberry variety, planting and care

The perennial from the Rose family is cultivated in Europe and grown on an industrial scale in the USA and Canada. In a relatively short time, dozens of blackberry varieties were created - erect and climbing, with and without thorns. The berries of the subshrub are rich in antioxidants and vitamins; they have a surprising combination of acid and sweetness. Scientists managed to embody the best technical characteristics and taste qualities in Loch Tay blackberries. It bears fruit in southern latitudes, produces high yields in harsh climates, and grows in large areas and in summer cottages.

History of Loch Tay blackberry breeding

The hybrid, which has no thorns on its shoots, was created by pollinating Logan berries and raspberries native to Europe. Breeders from Scotland carefully selected blackberries for crossing; the Loch Tay variety they bred received excellent taste and decorative appearance. The semi-creeping shrub was brought to Russia in 2011, and it immediately attracted the attention of summer residents not only in the southern regions, but also gardeners from the central regions.

Blackberry Elktey or Lokhtey, as some call it, is resistant to low temperatures, and the berries ripen quickly. The shrub has powerful roots in which substances accumulate that protect the plant from viruses and fungi.

Varietal features

The hybrid obtained as a result of cross-pollination is characterized by early ripening and ease of care. Loch Tay blackberries are immune to diseases and pests, tolerate severe frosts, drought, and heat over 40, are adapted to different climate conditions, and bear fruit in both the south and the north.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Culture

Thanks to the careful selection of varieties for breeding, the Loch Tay hybrid has received many advantages, one of which is high yield.

The advantages of ultra-early blackberries include:

• immunity to disease;
• adaptation to unfavorable conditions;
• excellent berry taste;
• long-term storage.

There are no thorns on the shoots of the plant, making it difficult to care for. Sweet fruits do not lose their presentation when transported over long distances. They contain a lot of ascorbic and nicotinic acid, B vitamins.

The variety also has some shortcomings. The shoots of the perennial Loch Tay grow quickly, and the blackberries, spreading throughout the area, drown out other crops.

Leaves and stems must be sprayed with copper-based preparations, as it is susceptible to rust. The berries ripen early, but fruiting ends by July.

External description of the bush

The Loch Tay blackberry is a semi-cresting plant, the length of its shoots exceeds 4 meters; there are no thorns on the smooth, light brown stems. From the central part of the bush, branches covered with emerald leaves with serrated edges begin to curl. At the beginning of summer, small white inflorescences appear, up to 10 of them are formed in one brush.

Taste qualities of berries

The oblong fruits of Loch Tay blackberries become black and silky by June. They weigh from 5 to 10 g, the mass of individual specimens reaches 12 grams. The berries are different:

• glossy skin;
• juicy pulp;
• forest aroma;
• sweet taste.

Blackberries are rich in sugars and organic acids, do not spoil for a long time, and retain a delicate aroma. The fruits fill with juice and ripen in the south in the second decade of June; in the northern regions, the ripening period shifts by 2 weeks.

Specifications

In terms of consumer benefits, the Loch Tay hybrid has left behind many popular blackberry varieties, since it inherited the best characteristics from its relatives.

Drought and frost resistance

The hybrid of Scottish selection can withstand temperatures up to +40, however, when the heat lasts for a long time and there is no rain for a long time, the berries dry out a little and ripen not as juicy as when there is enough moisture. Blackberries tolerate low temperatures, but freeze in snowless winters.

Immunity to diseases and insects

Thanks to its powerful root system, which absorbs useful components from the ground, the Loch Tay variety is practically not affected by fungi, is resistant to viruses, but suffers from rust. Treatment with copper compounds helps prevent the problem.

Recommended regions for planting

The Loch Tay blackberry grows in the south of the country and takes root and bears fruit in mid-latitudes. The variety can be cultivated in the Moscow region, in the North Caucasus, in the Leningrad region, and in Siberia.

Reproduction

Loch Tay blackberries are grown using several methods. At the end of summer, one of the lashes of the bush is bent down, soil is poured, but the top is not covered. The cuttings are separated from the plant and transplanted to a new location.

The variety is propagated by green cuttings, branches up to 20 cm long are cut from shoots, planted in a greenhouse so that they take root. Blackberries can be propagated by air layering, seeds, dividing the bush and transplanting the apical bud.

Crop yield

From one plant of the Loch Tay variety, from 2 to 2.5 buckets of berries are collected, the most fruits are set in the 5th year. With modern fertilizing and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology, the yield increases by another 2 kilograms.

Beginning of flowering

The buds on blackberries open in June, when the frosts have already subsided, the ovary does not die, and many fruits are formed, since there are up to 10 small white inflorescences on the cluster.They appear already in the first year after spring planting, but in order for the shrub to become stronger, it is recommended to pick off the buds.

Berry ripening period

Despite the late flowering, Loch Tay blackberries begin to sing in the southern regions in mid-June, in the middle zone 10–14 days later. Fruiting continues until the end of July. In terms of yield, the hybrid left behind even such popular varieties as Thornfree and Loch Ness.

Technology and features of landing

Although blackberries are considered an unpretentious plant, in order for them to delight you with berries, you need to follow agricultural practices, find a suitable plot for the garden bed, and place the plants on it correctly.

Choosing a healthy and strong seedling

For blackberries, it is better to go to a special nursery to purchase Loch Tay and not another variety. You need to buy an annual bush no higher than 40 cm; its shoots should have light brown skin without cracks.

Choosing a landing site

Blackberries take root well and bear fruit on neutral soils and soils with low acidity, where chamomile, field chamomile, and bindweed grow. The site for the Loch Tay hybrid should be allocated on the sunny side.

Preparing the soil and holes

Having chosen a place for blackberries, 2 weeks before planting you need to dig holes no more than 40 cm deep every 2 meters. Pour half a bucket of humus into them, mix it with ash, and water the holes with water.

Scheme and technique of planting plants

After 10-14 days, the blackberry roots are straightened and placed in the ground. The growth bud of the bush is deepened into the ground by 30 mm, the soil is compacted and mulched with peat. There should be at least 2.5 meters between the beds.

Bush care

The hybrid Loch Tay pleases the gardeners who take care of it with a harvest of berries. Growing blackberries, in addition to following agricultural techniques, involves:

1. Correct formation of the bush.
2. Hydration.
3. Feeding.

You will have to fight weeds, regularly loosen the soil, and in regions where there are severe frosts, you will also have to cover it for the winter.

Watering

The Loch Tay variety is not afraid of heat and can withstand prolonged drought. In order for the berries to be juicy, the plant needs moisture. Drip irrigation helps provide the required volume of water.

Water blackberries more than 2 times a week and be sure to:

• when the seedling grows up to 15 cm;
• during flowering;
• late autumn.

On hot days, water can be released into the grooves. During the period of ripening of berries, excess moisture can lead to a deterioration in the taste of the fruit.

Top dressing

When planting blackberries, humus and wood ash are added, and adult plants are fertilized every 2 or 3 years with mineral complexes and organic matter. Chicken droppings and rotted manure are used for feeding.

Pruning and shaping the bush

The first time blackberry shoots are shortened is during planting. During the period of active development of the Loch Tay variety, the apical bud is cut off when the stem height reaches 35 and 90 cm. Old non-fruit-bearing branches are cut back to ground level. An adult blackberry should have 20 shoots, If there are a large number of them, thinning is carried out. Areas frozen in winter are removed.

Support for forming a bush

The Loch Tay variety produces a lot of berries in place of the inflorescences. To prevent the branches from bending under their weight, install a trellis. To do this, pegs made of metal or wood are driven in at a distance of 5 m. Their height must be at least 2 meters. A wire is stretched between the posts to which the shoots are attached.

Shelter for the winter

Loch Tay tolerates low temperatures, but freezes at -20.When grown in Siberia, in the Leningrad region and even in the Moscow region, at the end of September, the branches are removed from the support and covered with pine needles, straw, and dry leaves in a 15 cm layer; there is no need to bury the bushes in a trench.