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It is impossible to pass by indifferently past the blackberry bush, strewn with record-breaking large juicy fruits. But, before rushing to plant the same miracle in your garden, you need to carefully read the characteristics of the Kiova blackberry variety.
Breeding history
The Kiowa blackberry variety, or Kiowa, as it is also called, appeared two decades ago thanks to the efforts of breeders at the University of Arkansas, who crossed two experimental varieties and received a blackberry that fully justified their expectations. The variety got its name in honor of one of the Indian tribes.
Photo of blackberry Kiova:
Description of berry culture
The berries of the Kiova variety are considered one of the largest among all blackberry varieties. It is with this that he won the hearts of gardeners.
General idea of the blackberry variety Kiova
The large-fruited Kiova blackberry belongs to the late-ripening varieties. Blackberry bushes of this variety of upright type have erect shoots about one and a half meters high, sometimes even slightly higher. Blackberry shoots and leaves are completely covered with numerous sharp thorns.
The Kiova blackberry bush is covered with abundant, emerald-colored foliage. Inflorescences are white, sometimes with a pink tint.
Berries
By the time of ripening, Kiova berries become glossy black in color. The average weight of a berry is about 13 g, sometimes individual specimens reach 20 g. Oblong, round-shaped fruits taste sweet, with a slight sourness.
Kiowa blackberry seeds are medium in size. Especially noteworthy is the amazing aroma of this variety, clearly reminiscent of its forest ancestors.
Characteristic
The breeders have worked wonderfully over the creation of this variety. It consists practically of some advantages.
Main advantages
The Kiova variety is frost-resistant, capable of withstanding up to -23C °. But when growing in the central region, it is better to play it safe, and cover the bushes for the winter. Here it is important not to overdo it, so as not to squeeze the kidneys.
Juicy, but rather dense Kiova blackberries are not afraid of transportation. They can be stored for several days without losing their presentation and taste.
Flowering period and ripening time
The flowering period of the Kiova blackberry variety is late, the fruits begin to ripen in mid-July. But it also depends on the region of planting and climatic conditions.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
Fruiting in Kiova blackberries is long, takes up to six weeks. The quality and size of the berries is kept within normal limits until the end of the season. The variety is considered a high-yielding variety; at home, the yield indicators for Kiova blackberries vary between 4.5-6 t / ha. But, it must be emphasized that high rates can be achieved only with proper care and compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology.
Scope of berries
Blackberries are consumed both fresh and processed.From its fruits, jams, compotes, jams, tinctures, syrups, liqueurs are obtained with wonderful taste. Kiova blackberries are also used as a filling for pies. Blackberries of this variety are also valuable because when frozen, the taste and shape of the berries, as well as their useful properties, are well preserved.
Disease and pest resistance
Thanks to the efforts of breeders, Kiova blackberries are not afraid of fungal diseases. And if preventive treatments are carried out on time, then it is unlikely that pests will bother her.
Advantages and disadvantages
The originators of the Kiova variety have conscientiously worked on its creation, and the advantages of the blackberry are much more than the disadvantages. The advantages include:
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- wonderful taste of berries;
- large-fruited;
- good transportability of fruits;
- frost resistance (applies only to the southern regions);
- duration of fruiting.
Among the shortcomings, it should be noted:
- many sharp thorns;
- extended late ripening (this drawback does not allow growing this blackberry variety in regions with a harsh climate).
Reproduction methods
The Kiova blackberry variety is propagated vegetatively, that is, the shoots are rooted. At the same time, shallow grooves are made, and, having pinned the tops of the shoots, they carefully cover the rooting places with earth.
During the warm season, they are watered, you can also feed the growing seedlings with a solution of nitrophoska.
Landing rules
Correct planting of the plant is the key to achieving a high yield. There is nothing difficult in planting Kiova blackberries, but you still need to adhere to some rules.
Recommended timing
Blackberries of this variety are planted mainly in the spring, when the ground warms up enough. When planting Kiova blackberries in the fall, they calculate the timing so that the seedlings have time to take root before the first frost.
Choosing the right place
For landing, choose well-lit places, protected from strong gusts of wind. Shaded areas should be avoided.
Soil preparation
The soil at the Kiowa blackberry planting site should be nutritious and light. Sand or peat can be added to the soil, this will significantly reduce the density and enrich the composition of nutrients. If the soil is acidic, then lime it with dolomite flour.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
When choosing Kiova blackberry seedlings, you need to pay attention to the fact that the plant has a developed root system with a living bud and one or two shoots with leaves. The roots should not be shorter than 10 cm.
Algorithm and scheme of landing
The distance between the plants should be at least 1.5 m. Before placing the blackberry seedling in the planting pit, drainage is laid out on its bottom. These can be small stones or broken bricks.
Next, a small amount of fertile soil is poured into the planting hole. On the resulting small mound, the blackberry root system is straightened.
The blackberry bush is gradually sprinkled with earth mixed with organic fertilizers. The soil around the root collar is compacted and then irrigated.
The root collar of the blackberry seedling should rise slightly above the ground. The land around the bush is mulched with straw or peat, and then the shoots are cut off. Their length should be 30-40 cm.
Follow-up care of the culture
Growing the Kiova blackberry variety is quite simple. Even inexperienced gardeners do not have any special problems growing a shrub.
Growing principles
Although the shoots of the Kiova variety are erect and quite strong, it is still better to strengthen them on the trellis with a fan. This simple procedure will facilitate maintenance, and will not allow the branches to break under the weight of ripening berries, and will also simplify pruning and harvesting, because the blackberry shoots are covered with sharp thorns.
The yield of the Kiova variety is directly related to the proper care of the plant.Adhering to simple recommendations for caring for blackberries of this variety, you can achieve excellent results. You will have no reason to worry about a poor harvest.
Necessary activities
The need for watering in the Kiova variety is moderate. Systematic watering should be done from the beginning of flowering, because the amount, size and quality of the forming fruits depends on the amount of moisture. To retain moisture, the soil is mulched with straw or peat.
From the beginning of the budding period, it is advisable to fertilize the blackberry by introducing mineral supplements into the soil around the bush once every three weeks. Loosening and weeding are performed as needed.
Shrub pruning
For erect blackberries, pruning of lateral shoots is necessary to give the bush a compact shape and not allow them to grow chaotically.
Kiova blackberries are pruned in spring and autumn. During the spring pruning process, dry and rotten shoots are removed. During the autumn season, young, weak shoots are cut off, as well as old, fruiting branches left after harvesting. As a result, no more than 10 young and healthy shoots are left, which are also shortened a little, shortening by about 1/3.
Preparing for winter
After pruning, the blackberry shoots, until they are lignified, are removed from the trellises, and, carefully bending down, are laid under the shelter. Although breeders claim that the Kiova variety is frost-resistant, it is still not worth the risk, because the climate in its homeland is much milder and warmer.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
The Kiova variety is disease-resistant, and therefore does not cause additional trouble for gardeners. In the spring, the bush can be treated with an environmentally friendly drug Fitosporin for prevention purposes.
But pests can spoil the crop and cause significant damage to the bushes. But knowing the enemy by sight, it is easier to deal with him.
Pests | Signs and damage done | Methods of control and prevention |
Common spider mite | Leaves turn yellow, dry up, and fall prematurely | 1. Collection and burning of damaged leaves 2. Loosening the soil to a depth of at least 7 cm 3. Mulching the soil around the plant with a layer of at least 7 cm 4. For spraying, use preparations containing sulfur |
Raspberry stem fly | Blackening, wilting, and drying of shoots | 1. Pruning and burning damaged shoots 2. Mulching the soil with a layer of mulch at least 5 cm thick |
Stem raspberry gall midge | Inhibition of plant growth, and even the death of a bush | 1. Pruning and burning damaged shoots 2. Loosening the soil to a depth of 7 cm 3. Mulching the soil with a layer of at least 6 cm |
Khrushch May | Withering and death of plants | 1. Manual collection of pests 2. Watering the plant with iodine solution (20 drops per 10 liters of water) 3. During the growing season, the use of the drug Antichrushch, Confidor |
Blackberry mite | Deterioration in fruit quality | Spring treatment of the plant with preparations Tiovit Jet, Envidor |
In conclusion, watch the video about the Kiova blackberry, and listen to the advice of the author of the video:
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Kiova blackberry deserves attention. It conquers gardeners with its unpretentiousness, high yield, and delicious fruits. The gardeners' reviews about the Kiova blackberry are only positive. Those who have tasted sweet berries forgive her even sharp thorns. Well, what can you do, each has flaws, and the Kiova variety, though sharp, is still small.
