Content
More and more gardeners and small-scale farmers are realizing that growing blackberries is far more profitable than growing raspberries. Of course, these species are not identical, but they are very close in biological terms, their taste is similar, and the scope of use is the same. But blackberries are more fertile, are less sick and are affected by pests, and contain more nutrients than raspberries.
Everyone knows that there are no ideal varieties of fruit crops, including blackberries. But gardeners are in constant search. Some have found "their" ideal among the old varieties, many closely follow the new products. The next contender for the title of the best now is the Natchez studless blackberry. Let's see if the laudatory comments are true.
Breeding history
The first steps to create the Natchez blackberry were taken in 1998, when the Arkansas Institute cross-pollinated the Ark. 1857 and Ark. 2005 hybrids. The seedlings were harvested in 2001. Of these, the most promising were selected, and after six years of testing, in 2007, the Ark.2241 sample was patented under the name Natchez.
Description of berry culture
Today Natchez has become one of the top cultivars in the United States. But do not forget that in America and in the post-Soviet space, the priorities for growing blackberries are different. The main thing for us is yield and ease of care. And since the culture on the territory of Russia and neighboring countries was previously grown little, only experts and gourmets understand the intricacies of blackberry taste here.
In America, where the consumer is spoiled by an abundance of varieties, it is the tasting qualities and the visual appeal of the berries that are of the greatest importance, and not the yield. In addition, the climate there is ideal for growing crops, and there is no need to remove the shoots from the support and cover for the winter.
General understanding of the variety
Blackberry Black Natchez belongs to semi-creeping varieties - at first the shoots grow straight, like those of a kumanik, then they move to a horizontal position and become like a dewdrop. An adult bush is powerful, spreading, with thick lashes 5-7 m in length. In the very first year after planting, shoots of Natchez blackberries spread on the ground, reaching 3-4 m, and only the absence of thorns distinguishes the variety from the typical dewdrop.
On adult bushes, lashes grow very quickly, forming many lateral branches and fruit twigs. Natchez blackberry leaves differ from other varieties - they are light green, with small jagged edges and a double surface.
The root system of a blackberry is powerful, and it is the better developed, the more green mass you leave when pruning and rationing the lashes. Fruiting occurs on the shoots of the last year.
Berries
In the photo of the Natchez blackberry, you can see that its fruits are beautiful - black, with a characteristic shine. They have the shape of an elongated cylinder, on average they reach a length of 3.7-4.0 cm and a weight of 9 g.With good care and free planting, individual berries can show 12.7 g when weighed.
On fruit twigs, blackberries are collected in 12-30 pieces. The berries are moderately dense, juicy, but they tolerate transportation perfectly. Attached to the peduncle well, the separation is dry, the drupes are small.
The taste of the fruit is very sweet, the acid is almost not felt, the tasting score is 4.6 points. The rating of domestic gardeners gave the Natchez variety 4.3 points. However, the quality of the berries of this blackberry is strongly influenced by external factors, care and soil composition. Gourmets claim that the fruits of the first harvest have a subtle aftertaste of good coffee.
Characteristic
Reviews of gardeners about the Natchez blackberry show its superiority over other cultivars. It would seem that here it is - the perfect dessert variety. But there is no need to rush. Only those who choose blackberries with maximum information will not be disappointed. Therefore, we advise you to read this chapter carefully.
Main advantages
Natchez does not belong to drought-resistant varieties. However, the whole culture is hygrophilous and requires regular watering. The bush tolerates heat well, but the berries at a temperature higher than 35⁰C require shading.
Winter hardiness of the Natchez blackberry is also not the best. It tolerates frost no more than -14⁰ C. Moreover, the shoots keep low temperatures well, but the flower buds freeze out. However, Natchez blackberry very quickly builds up green mass and recovers. But the frozen bush will not yield a crop, so it will have to be covered even in the southern regions.
But the transportability of Natchez berries is high, which is rare for blackberries with juicy fruits. There are no spines on the shoots.
Growing Natchez blackberries requires some effort, you can not call it unpretentious. The choice of soil should also be approached responsibly - not only the quantity, but also the quality of the berries depends on it.
Flowering period and ripening time
The Natchez blackberry variety is one of the earliest. Depending on the region, it blooms from mid to late May. Fruiting is extended, lasts 35-40 days, sometimes longer. The beginning of berry ripening depends on the climate; in the south, it is mid to late June. Blackberry Natchez in the Moscow region ripens by mid-July.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
The Natchez blackberry yield is the highest among the dessert varieties in the Arkansas collection. From one adult bush, you can collect 15-20 kg of berries. Given the early fruiting and lack of thorns, Natchez is close to ideal.
But not everything is as simple as the enthusiasts would like. Replacement shoots in Natchez blackberries are poorly formed. Therefore, to obtain a high yield, it is grown in a two-year cycle. This means that all young shoots are cut out during the fruiting season. In the spring of next year, the bush will be "naked", it will give more new lashes, but there will be no berries at all.
Scope of berries
Blackberry Natchez belongs to dessert varieties - its berries are tasty, sweet. They are suitable for fresh consumption and desserts. But the workpieces from it are "not very" - here the sweet taste of the fruit played a cruel joke, since the jams and juices are "flat" and too cloying. But Natchez blackberries can be used for prefabricated compotes, multi-juices and assorted jams.
Disease and pest resistance
Like other blackberries, Natchez is disease resistant, rarely affected by pests. But preventive treatments must be done, and you need to plant away from nightshade crops, raspberries and strawberries. The ideal distance is at least 50 m, if possible, it should be maintained.
Advantages and disadvantages
Natchez blackberries have both advantages and disadvantages. However, for other varieties, too, the ideal does not yet exist.
The indisputable advantages include:
- Early ripening of berries.
- High productivity.
- The berries are large, beautiful, with a high tasting score (4.6 points).
- Transportability and keeping quality of fruits are very good.
- The Natchez blackberry scourge produces many lateral branches and fruit twigs.
- Lack of thorns.
- The variety is resistant to diseases and pests.
- Dry separation of berries.
- Long-term fruiting.
- The berries are well attached to the stalk, do not crumble. If they are overripe, the taste and marketability do not deteriorate, so if necessary, the harvest can be delayed. This is especially important for summer residents who come to the site once a week.
- If the bush is still slightly frozen, there is no need to be afraid of losing the variety - it has a high regenerative capacity.
Among the disadvantages are:
- Low frost resistance of the variety.
- At temperatures above 35⁰C, the fruits are baked.
- Natchez blackberry shoots do not bend well, moreover, they can not only break, but also crack.
Reproduction methods
Unlike other blackberries, Natchez does not reproduce well with root cuttings. They need to be dug in the fall, stored in the sand under certain conditions, and planted only in the spring. The variety gives few replacement shoots, let alone overgrowth, this method is also not suitable for amateur gardeners.
Exit - layering and pulping (rooting of the tops of the shoots). These breeding methods are available in any garden, even for beginners. The main thing here is not to forget to water the dug twigs.
Landing rules
The Natchez variety is planted in the same way as other blackberries. But he makes increased demands on the soil, so it will not work just to dig in a seedling on the site.
Recommended timing
In the south, blackberries are planted in the fall, but no later than a month before the expected frost, so that the young plant has time to take root. In regions with a temperate and cool climate, earthworks are carried out in the spring, when the soil warms up. Then, before the onset of winter, the blackberry will have time to take root on the site.
Choosing the right place
The place for Natchez blackberries is chosen sunny, sheltered from the wind. In the south, shading will be required in the middle of summer. There should be no nightshade crops, raspberries and strawberries nearby.
Slightly acidic soil is suitable for blackberries, better - loose fertile loam. On sandy soil, Natchez should not be planted. Groundwater should not be located closer than 1-1.5 m from the surface.
Soil preparation
Natchez variety more than other blackberries needs pre-planting soil preparation. Pits are dug for at least 10-14 days, with a depth and diameter of 50 cm. The nutrient mixture is prepared from the top layer of soil, a bucket of humus, 60 g of potassium, 120-150 g of superphosphate.
But the Natchez variety has increased requirements for the calcium content in the soil. It is better not to add calcium nitrate when planting; dolomite flour or ordinary eggshell is suitable. But calcium reduces the acidity of the soil, therefore, high-moor (red) peat should be included in the planting mixture.
If the soil is sandy, more organic matter is added to it. Excessive acidity of the soil is neutralized by dolomite flour (in this case, it is preferable to lime). Sand is added to the dense earth. The neutral or alkaline reaction of the soil is balanced by acidic (red) peat.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Blackberry seedlings Natchez should be bought in proven retail chains or directly in the nursery - the variety is relatively new, but there are many who want to buy it. There is a high probability - "off hand" you will not be sold what you need.
The shoots of Natchez blackberries are thornless. They must be resilient, free from cracks, stains and other damage. One of the hallmarks of a healthy root system is the pleasant smell of fresh soil. Naturally, it should be well developed, without signs of fungus or rotting, the processes should be well and easy to bend.
Before planting, blackberries purchased in containers are watered. The bare root is soaked in water overnight.
Algorithm and scheme of landing
For Natchez, a tight planting is undesirable. This blackberry forms a vigorous shrub with well-developed roots, thick shoots and many lateral branches. The best distance between plants is 2.7-3 m (in industrial plantings, 2-2.5 m are allowed).
When compacting to 1-1.5 m, strict rationing of shoots and enhanced nutrition of blackberries will be necessary. But experienced gardeners say that this leads to a decrease in yield from a bush, so planting at a distance closer than 2 m between plants does not justify itself. In addition, the quality of the berries decreases significantly with strong compaction.
Planting sequence:
- A pit is prepared for the blackberry, 2/3 filled with a nutrient mixture and completely filled with water. Allow to settle for 10-14 days.
- In the center of the planting pit, a mound is formed, around which the roots of the blackberry are spread.
- The seedling is covered with a nutrient mixture, constantly compacting it. The root collar should be buried 1.5-2 cm.
- Blackberries are watered abundantly, and the soil is mulched with humus or sour peat.
Follow-up care of the culture
The first time after planting, the blackberry is often and abundantly watered, preventing the soil from drying out.
Growing principles
Natchez blackberries must be tied up. Most often, a three-row trellis with a height of 1.7-2 m is used. Since the variety is grown in a two-year cycle, the shoots will not be divided into fruiting and young, they do not need to be bred in different directions. This greatly simplifies the garter.
It is necessary to accustom the lashes to lifting on a support and shelter for the winter from the moment they appear. As soon as the shoots reach 15-20 cm, they are bent to the ground and pinned. When the lashes grow older, it will be easier to tie them.
Natchez is usually overloaded with berries and forms an overly dense bush. If the plant is poorly fed and pruning is neglected, the fruits simply will not ripen - they will not have enough nutrients and the sun.
Necessary activities
The Natchez Blackberry is watered frequently and abundantly in summer. In the absence of precipitation, an adult bush needs 4-5 buckets of water once a week. During the formation of ovaries and fruiting, watering is done every 3 days, spending 20-30 liters per plant.
Natchez needs abundant feeding. In the spring, the plant needs nitrogen. It is best to use calcium nitrate. During the period of flowering and fruit formation, blackberries are given a complete mineral complex with an obligatory calcium content.
During fruiting, it is advisable to do additional feeding with a solution of mullein or grass infusion. They are bred in a ratio of 1:10 and 1: 4, respectively. Foliar dressings with the addition of humate and chelates are useful, which prevent chlorosis and improve the taste of berries. In early autumn, Natchez is fertilized with potassium monophosphate.
In spring and autumn, the soil around the blackberry is loosened. During the flowering and fruiting period, it is mulched - this will prevent moisture evaporation, serve as an additional fertilizer and protect the root system from overheating.
Shrub pruning
Blackberry Natchez is recommended to grow as a crop that bears fruit every 2 years. This is due to the fact that the variety gives poor replacement shoots. In the year of fruiting, all young lashes are cut out. Next year there will be a sufficient number of them, leaving 6-8 of the strongest.
Often, blackberry shoots at a height of 1-1.5 m are pinched to enhance lateral branching. The Natchez variety does not need to do this - it bushes well without it. But the lateral growth is shortened to 30 cm (unlike other varieties, in which 40 cm is left). This will avoid overloading the berries and increase their size.
After fruiting, old shoots are removed. Sanitary pruning of Natchez blackberries is carried out throughout the year - all broken, dried and thin twigs are removed.
Collection, processing, storage of crops
Many varieties of blackberries are distinguished by the fact that the berries need to be picked often, immediately after reaching maturity. In overripe fruits, the taste quickly deteriorates, they often become soft and lose transportability. Not that type of Natchez. The berries do not lose their commercial qualities within 5 days after full ripening and are transported without deformation.
Natchez blackberries are best eaten fresh, used for baking or desserts. The blanks from them are too sweet, sugary.But when used in conjunction with other, more acidic fruits and berries, you get delicious juices, jams and wines.
Preparing for winter
Unlike other blackberries, the Natchez variety begins to be prepared for winter in September or October (depending on the region). At this time, young shoots are not yet fully ripe and remain flexible. They are bent to the ground and pinned. The shelter is erected just before the onset of frost. Spruce branches, straw, dry corn stalks are used. Natchez blackberries have low frost resistance, therefore, the structure must be covered with spandbond or agrofibre on top.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Blackberries Natchez rarely get sick and are little affected by pests. But for the purpose of prevention, in spring and autumn, the bush should be sprayed with preparations containing copper, and all foliage and trimmed shoots should be immediately removed from the site.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Natchez blackberry has both positive and negative sides. There is no ideal variety, but this one is closer to perfection than others. The main advantage of Natchez is the combination of high yield and excellent berry taste.
I do not cut the berries - it bears fruit annually