Very often you can find blackberries in garden plots. The Natchez variety of blackberries is distinguished by the fact that ripe and tasty berries can be pampered at the end of June.
In this article we will talk about the description and characteristics of this type of blackberry.
Description of Natchez blackberry variety
Natchez is a thornless, creeping shrub. Immediately after planting, the branches begin to grow upward, but after the first crop appears, they tend to the ground. This feature is due to the severity of the fruit or strong winds. The average length of shoots is 5 meters.
Flowering occurs at the end of May. Blackberry flowers are white and large, with 5-6 petals. The leaves of this variety are light green in color with a pubescent surface, a slight serration can be seen at the edges.
In the presence of favorable climatic conditions, the berries ripen at the end of June, the fruiting period can last up to 1.5 months. When fully ripe, the blackberry keeps well on the branches and does not fall off for a long time. The variety is suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions, because the shrub has a low resistance to frost.
Characteristics of berries
The very first harvest of Natchez blackberries produces fruits 3.5 centimeters long and 14 grams in weight, then these sizes increase to 5 centimeters and 22 grams. The shape of the berries is elongated-cylindrical. The color is dark blue, almost black with a pronounced sheen. The taste of blackberries is excellent, sweet with a slight sourness, drupe seeds are small.
Berries of Natchez blackberries are collected in a brush of 10-30 pieces, when fully ripe, they come off well, and the sepal dries up.
Also, such fruits are distinguished by good transportability and the ability to retain an attractive appearance and taste for 2 weeks.
Breeding history and region of growth
The variety was bred by American breeder John Clarke at the University of Science in Arkansas in 2007. The Natchez blackberry is considered one of the youngest species of this culture.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
- There are no thorns on the shrub, which makes caring for it easier and more convenient.
- The berries ripen at the end of June. During the same period, the fruits of other varieties are still green.
- Also, the fruits are very large, beautiful and tasty. They are great for both private use and commercial use.
- Good transportability and long shelf life of blackberries characterize the variety on the positive side.
- The fruiting period can last up to 1.5 months, which allows you to feast on fresh berries from the beginning to the end of summer.
- Another distinguishing feature is good disease and pest resistance.
- The shrub has poor frost resistance and can be damaged even with low frosts.
- Branches are distinguished by their fragility and weakness, so they need additional support.
- The variety is very picky about the presence of sunlight. With insufficient light and heat, blackberries will not be able to fully ripen.
Planting seedlings
It is customary to plant the Natchez blackberry variety in the spring. Due to its low frost resistance, the shrub may not survive the winter after the autumn planting. The most favorable time will be April, while the buds have not yet blossomed. It is worth remembering that a plant planted in spring requires additional shelter for the winter.
When choosing a place for blackberries, you should take into account its preferences:
- The soil should be fertile, loamy or sandy loam, drainage is required.
- It is best to use soils with low or neutral oxidation levels.
- High groundwater tables can erode the root system, which can lead to rot. Therefore, it is very important to provide a safe site.
- The area for blackberries should be well lit and ventilated, but at the same time, the shrub is protected from gusty winds and the scorching rays of the sun.
When planting blackberries in a summer cottage, you must adhere to the following instructions:
- The expected planting site must be dug up in advance and all weeds must be removed.
- The distance between the pits is 1.5 - 2.5 meters, while the depth and width of the hole are approximately 50 centimeters.
- At 2/3 of the depth, a mixture is introduced into the planting pit, consisting of:
- Fertile soil layer;
- 2 buckets of humus or compost;
- 100 grams of superphosphate;
- 60 grams of potassium.
- Then a seedling is installed inside the hole, the roots must be carefully straightened.
- Sprinkling the seedling with earth, shake it gently in order to avoid the formation of air gaps between the roots.
- A hole is formed around the planted shrub, about 50 centimeters deep, after which a blackberry is poured through it with 2 buckets of water.
- At the last stage, the trunk circle must be carefully mulched.
Immediately after planting, the blackberries are cut off, leaving only 30-40 centimeters from the ground.
Growing conditions
In order for the shrub to give a bountiful harvest, it must be properly looked after, observing all the prescribed rules.
Natchez variety tolerates lack of moisture well, but do not abuse this opportunity. The appearance of beautiful and tasty fruits depends entirely on the abundance and quality of watering. Once a week, blackberries are watered with 4-5 buckets of water.
During the period of fruiting and the formation of ovaries, the frequency and volume of watering is increased to 20 liters once every 3 days.
The Natchez blackberry is usually grown using a support or on a trellis, 1.7-1.8 meters high. This will make it easier for the branches to hold on to the crop and will not break.
Natchez forms new shoots for a long time, so you can cut the shrub once every 2 years, adhering to the following rules:
- It is necessary to remove new shoots, which will subsequently interfere with fruiting.
- In order for the blackberry to give a good harvest to the shrub, 6-8 main stems will be enough, the rest can be safely removed.
- The lateral processes are shortened by 30 centimeters.
- Also, sanitary pruning will be mandatory, during which all dry, damaged and unnecessarily thickening branches are removed.
Pruning is carried out during the period of biological dormancy, that is, in early spring, before the buds swell, or in late autumn after leaf fall.
You need to feed the blackberries several times per season, using various fertilizers:
- In the spring, before bud break, the trunk circle is dug up with the introduction of 8 kilograms of compost (humus) or 50 grams of ammonium nitrate.
- Before flowering, the shrub is watered with the following mixture:
- 2 kilograms of fresh mullein are bred in 10 liters of water;
- Another option would be 1 kilogram of poultry droppings mixed with 10 liters of water.
- After fruiting, the soil is loosened with the addition of 500 grams of wood ash and 100 grams of superphosphate.
Since Natchez does not tolerate frost well, the shrub must be prepared for the winter period. The branches are laid on the ground and covered with insulation, which can be:
- Corn leaves;
- Sawdust and humus;
- Hay, straw, vegetable tops.
Then the resulting structure is covered with a dense plastic wrap. For the best preparation of the shrub for the cold, experienced gardeners remove 2-year-old shoots that have borne fruit and all damaged branches.
In order for the blackberry to survive the winter period as painlessly as possible, it must be watered abundantly and thoroughly mulched with peat or dry sawdust before sheltering, the layer must be at least 10 centimeters.
Diseases and pests
The Natchez blackberry has excellent resistance to many diseases and pests. But in order to completely protect yourself from troubles, it is recommended to adhere to the following preventive measures:
- To avoid the appearance of rust, the bush is treated with 1% Brodsky liquid, carefully weed the trunk circle and remove all the fallen leaves.
- Anthracnose and septoria blight can significantly damage the plant; 1% Brodsky liquid is also used against these diseases.
To develop a good immunity to diseases, blackberries need to be carefully fertilized and fed. Lack of nutrients is often the main cause of plant damage.
To drive away the bear, beetle, aphids, larvae and caterpillars from the bush before the leaves open and before fruiting, it is sprayed with the following solution:
- 200 grams of tobacco dust is mixed with 10 liters of water and infused for 3 days;
- Then the resulting mixture is filtered and again 10 liters of water are added;
- Before spraying, 5 grams of laundry soap is added to 1 liter of solution.
To combat the tick and sawfly in the fall, the trunk circle is mulched with peat or humus, the layer of mulch should be more than 8 centimeters. After flowering, the blackberries are treated with 100 grams of carbolic soap mixed with 15 liters of water.
The Natchez blackberry is one of the best breeding discoveries. She has perfect taste and appearance. A significant disadvantage will be the inability to grow it in areas further south.