Black Diamond Blackberry: variety description, pros and cons, planting and care

Black Diamond Blackberry is considered a common crop that bears well and produces delicious berries. To get a good harvest, you need to choose the right seedlings and follow the rules of planting. The implementation of agrotechnical recommendations is of no small importance. It is also necessary to ensure the protection of bushes from pathologies and pests.

History of selection

This variety was developed in the USA in 1987 by crossing Kotata and NZ8610L seedlings. Breeders set themselves the task of obtaining a high-yielding culture without thorns with high-quality fruits. The result was a plant suitable for machine harvesting.

Today, the culture is grown everywhere - in the USA, Europe, New Zealand. The variety is suitable for commercial cultivation. Its fruits can be consumed fresh or processed.

Description and characteristics

Culture is characterized by the following features:

1. Semi-spreading tall shoots do not have thorns in the main part of the stem. A small number of spines are located at the base.
2. Fruit branches have a rigid structure and medium length.
3. The flowers are large and pink in color. They appear in the middle of June.
4. The plant is disease resistant. It rarely suffers from gray mold or anthracnose.
5. Culture is able to withstand frosts of -27-30 degrees. At the same time, bushes in the north need to be covered.

The first fruits ripen in mid-July or early August. The plant is characterized by black fruits with a glossy structure.They form multi-berry brushes and have a conical shape. Berries differ in dense structure and the large sizes. Their weight is about 6 grams. The fruits have a sweet taste with a slight sourness.

This variety is characterized by high yield parameters. From 1 bush it is possible to collect up to 35 kilograms of fruits. Fruiting is considered amicable. It is not extended in time.

The main pros and cons of blackberry Black Diamond

Pros and conspleasant sweet taste of fruits;lack of spikes;good transportability;long storage period;lack of fruit rotting on the bushes;the possibility of cleaning by machine;resistance to parasites and pathologies.the risk of developing anthracnose in conditions of high humidity is considered.

Growing a plant

In order for the culture to develop normally and bear fruit well, it needs to be properly looked after.

Timing

It is permissible to plant a crop in spring and autumn. It is best to carry out planting work in early March. In autumn, this should be done before the first cold weather. At the same time, cuttings are recommended to be shortened to 25 centimeters.

Choosing a seat

Blackberries require a well-lit area to plant. When grown in the shade, the plant will not give a good harvest. It is not recommended to plant blackberries near raspberries. This placement of cultures increases the risk of developing pathologies. In addition, it is advisable to change the site every 7 years.

Before planting, it is recommended to clear the bed of weeds and dig it up.Then it is worth making holes 50 centimeters deep. The gap between the bushes should be 100-120 centimeters. Each well requires 50 grams of potassium sulfate, 5-6 kilograms of humus, 100 grams of superphosphate.

Preparation of planting material

For planting it is worth using seedlings with closed roots. In this case, the roots must be moistened. It is recommended to buy seedlings in a nursery or from trusted gardeners. Bushes should include 2 stems and 1 live bud.

Plant pattern

Plants should be planted in rows, the distance between which should be 2 meters. Do not reduce this distance. As the blackberry grows, it will need free space.

Fences, walls or other vertical structures must be at least 1 meter away from bushes.

Subtleties of crop care

In order for a plant to develop normally, it needs proper care. It is important to follow a number of recommendations.

Irrigation

For watering, use a drip system or irrigate the soil 2-3 times a week. To avoid waterlogging of the soil, it needs to be loosened systematically.

Fertilizers

In the first year of development of bushes, it is required to use fertilizers and mulch the soil. To increase the yield parameters, it is recommended to use organic products and compost fertilizers. For 1 square meter apply 5 kilograms of top dressing. Potash compounds should be used at the initial stage of crop ripening.

Wintering

The variety is resistant to frost and can withstand temperatures of -27-29 degrees. However, it is better to cover blackberries in winter. This can be done with humus, straw, spruce branches, sawdust. It is also acceptable to use cardboard, film, hay.

Protection from diseases and pests

This variety of blackberries may suffer from these parasites:

1. Raspberry and spider mites. For prevention, it is worth using Karbofos. Actellik and Fufanon help fight parasites.
2. Stem raspberry gall midge. In this case, the stems are covered with swellings. "Karate", "Calypso" will help to eliminate parasites.
3. Stem fly. Parasites feed on young shoots of bushes. To combat them, Actellik and Karbofos are used.

The most common diseases of blackberry bushes include:

1. Grey rot. Pathology affects flowers and fruits. Switch, Teldor will help to cope with it.
2. Anthracnose. Its appearance is associated with a violation of the landing pattern. Bordeaux liquid helps to cope with the pathology.
3. White spotting. The disease develops in conditions of high humidity. "Baikal-M1" and "Agrozin" help to get rid of the disease.

Harvesting and storage

This variety is characterized by the absence of thorns, which makes it easier to harvest. At the same time, it is quite acceptable to collect berries by machine. They are easy to transport and can be refrigerated for 10 days.

Black Diamond Blackberry is characterized by high yield, excellent fruit flavor and long shelf life. To grow a crop successfully, it needs to be well looked after.

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