Blackberry Kiova: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care, reproduction

The variety of American selection - blackberry Kiowa strikes the imagination with huge, juicy berries. For excellent taste and massive fruiting, she is forgiven even for the presence of thorns. The Kiowa blackberry is worthy of special attention by gardeners and added to their garden collection.

History of selection

Blackberry Kiowa (blackberry Kiowa) appeared at the turn of the century. Its creators are scientists from the University of Arkansas, who, when crossing two experimental varieties, obtained a miracle berry of incredible size and juiciness.The Kiowa hybrid has a middle name - Kiowa, which is associated with the name of one of the Indian tribes. After receiving the first vegetatively propagated seedlings, the variety was patented and since 1995 the first copies went on sale.

Note: Blackberry hybrid is considered the owner of the largest berries. New varieties of blackberries are emerging, but it is still in the top 5 varieties with the largest fruits.

Description and characteristics of berry crops

The characteristic of the Kiowa hybrid gives an idea of the plant and allows gardeners to decide on the choice of variety, the possibility of growing it in a particular climatic zone.

Berries and bushes

Kiowa belongs to the Kumaniks, so its bushes are upright, up to 1.5 m tall. The bush is shrouded in a cloud of emerald foliage, under which numerous sharp thorns hide. White-pink flowers are collected in inflorescences-shields.

Berries change from green to red to glossy black as they ripen. The average weight of berries is 12 g, and giant specimens reach 20 g. Berries of a round-conical shape are quite dense. A slight sourness and aroma of wild berries have been added to the sweet taste.

Key Benefits

The valuable features of the Kiowa hybrid include large berries and good transportability. These qualities make it possible to use the blackberry hybrid both in private households and on an industrial scale.

Flowering period and ripening terms

Flowering time is at the end of May, and fruiting begins in July (in the southern regions). This limits the distribution of the plant, as the late-ripening hybrid does not have time to ripen in the middle lane and northern latitudes.

Yield indicators, fruiting terms

Blackberry Kiowa has an extended fruiting period, the duration of which is 6 weeks. Berries do not lose their commercial qualities throughout the entire period of fruiting. This is a late-ripening and high-yielding variety: 4.5-6 tons of black fruits are harvested per hectare.

Scope of berries

Kiowa blackberries are a wonderful delicacy and a great dessert. They are delicious fresh and retain their flavor after processing.

Jams, confitures, liqueurs, fillings for pies and pancakes will appeal to blackberry lovers.

Note: The fruits retain their appearance and do not lose their useful qualities after freezing. Thawed berries taste as good as fresh ones, retaining vitamins and minerals.

Resistant to diseases and pests

Due to excellent immunity, the hybrid is resistant to fungal infections and is not afraid of pests if preventive measures are taken in time.

Pros and cons

Undoubted advantages of the Kiowa variety:

good winter hardiness;
transportability;
storability;
strong immunity;
delicious, large berries;
resistance to fungal infections.

There are few shortcomings, but they spoil the ideal opinion about the variety:

the presence of sharp thorns densely covering the branches;
late ripening with extended fruiting period.

For your information: Despite the large berries, the young and promising variety is not yet very popular. Its wide distribution is just beginning. A lot of advantages are lost due to the presence of thorns, which complicate the care of the berry crop.

Features of growing Kiowa blackberries

Planting a bush is carried out traditionally for different varieties of blackberries, but taking into account the characteristics of a particular variety.

Date and place

Kiowa is suitable for spring and autumn planting. In the spring, the bush is planted before the start of sap flow, in the fall - a month before the first frost. The place is selected bright, closed from drafts and cold winds.

Soil preparation

Blackberry bushes grow well in fertile, loose soil enriched with nutrients. On heavy soils, peat and sand should be added. On sour - carry out liming.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

A he althy seedling should be different:

well-developed root system (not less than 10 cm);
the presence of a growth bud;
1-2 leaf shoots.

The seedling is being checked for infections. With a closed root system, they are guided by the state of the ground part.

Algorithm and landing pattern

Kiova blackberry bushes are planted 1.5 m apart. Planting sequence:

drainage is created at the bottom of the landing pit;
a layer of fertile land is poured on top of a mound;
the seedling root system is placed on it;
up to the root neck covered with a layer of nutrient soil;
watering and mulching the trunk circle.

The root neck is not buried, it is above the ground. Shoots are cut to 30-40 cm.

Water, weed and mulch

Kiowa variety needs moderate watering. More moisture is required during flowering and fruit set, so that they form large and juicy. Mulching is necessary to retain moisture, it allows you to reduce the number of waterings. Straw or peat is suitable as mulch. Weeding is carried out as needed.

Fertilizers and top dressings

Feeding Kiowa blackberries begins from the moment of budding and continues until fruiting. Usually complex fertilizers or organic components are applied no more than once every 3 weeks.

Garter

Upright shoots can bend under the pressure of berries, so they are strengthened on the trellis, giving the shape of a fan. This procedure is also necessary for the convenience of harvesting fruits, since the branches are covered with thorns. Trimming tied branches is much more convenient.

Pruning and wintering

Pruning of Kiowa blackberries is carried out according to the following scheme:

Sick or damaged branches are cut in the spring.
In autumn, new shoots are removed if they are weakened. Remove fruit-bearing branches of the 2nd year.
The bush is formed from 10 young, strong shoots, which are cut into 1/3 part.

Thanks to pruning, the bush has a more compact shape and does not grow randomly, scattering side shoots.

After autumn pruning, the branches are removed from the trellis and bent to the ground. Lay in trenches and insulate. Kiowa is a hardy variety, but the extra risk is not worth it.

Ways to control diseases and pests

Prophylactic treatment with Fitosporin helps protect the blackberry bush from fungal infections, although the Kiowa hybrid has strong immunity.

More often damage to the blackberry crop is caused by pests that are fought with folk remedies (with minor damage) and chemicals (with mass settlement).

Note: You should carefully read the pests that settle on blackberry bushes in order to know the "enemy in the face" and the main signs of the affected plant. This will help avoid their mass distribution.

Breeding Methods

Reproduction is carried out by rooting vegetative shoots. The tops of the shoots are pinned to the ground, slightly deepened and sprinkled with soil. The rooting site is watered and fed. The first roots are formed in a month. Seedlings are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place next spring.

Collecting and storing Kiowa blackberries

Berries are harvested in any convenient, light container in the phase of maturity, when they acquire a black glossy color. Lay them out carefully so as not to wrinkle. Suitable clothing is required for collection so as not to prick yourself on the spikes. The berry is stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-6 days.It is frozen or recycled.

Blackberry Kiowa gives an excellent harvest of black fruits, subject to the necessary agrotechnical practices. The quality and quantity of berries directly depend on proper care.

Large fruit, unpretentiousness and productivity are the most characteristic features of the variety.