Blackberry Loch Tay: description and characteristics of the variety, planting and care with photo

Perennial from the Rose family cultivated in Europe, commercially grown in the US and Canada. In a relatively short time, dozens of varieties of blackberries were created - upright and weaving, with and without thorns. The berries of the half-shrub are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, they have an amazing combination of acid and sweetness. Scientists managed to translate the best technical characteristics and taste qualities into Loch Tay blackberries. It bears fruit in the southern latitudes, pleases with a high yield in a harsh climate, grows in large areas and in summer cottages.

History of Loch Tay blackberry breeding

The thornless hybrid was created by pollinating Logan berries and European raspberries. Breeders from Scotland carefully selected blackberries for crossing, the Loch Tay variety they bred received an excellent taste and decorative appearance. The semi-creeping shrub was brought to Russia in 2011, and it immediately attracted the attention of summer residents not only in the southern regions, but also gardeners from the regions of the middle zone.

Lockey Blackberry or Lokhtey, as some call it, is resistant to low temperatures, and the berries ripen quickly. The shrub has strong roots, which accumulate substances that protect the plant from viruses and fungi.

Variety features

The hybrid obtained as a result of cross-pollination is characterized by early ripening, unpretentious care. The Loch Tay blackberry is immune to diseases and pests, tolerates severe frosts, drought, and heat over 40, is adapted to different climate conditions, bears fruit both in the south and in the north.

Advantages and disadvantages of culture

Due to the careful selection of varieties for breeding, the Loch Tay hybrid has received a lot of advantages, one of which is a high yield.

Ultra early blackberry benefits include:

immunity to diseases;
adaptation to adverse conditions;
great berry taste;
long-term storage.

There are no thorns on the shoots of the plant, making it difficult to care for it. Sweet fruits do not lose their presentation when transported over a long distance. They contain a lot of ascorbic and nicotinic acid, vitamins of group B.

Seen in the variety and shortcomings. Perennial shoots of Loch Tay grow rapidly, blackberries, spreading across the site, drown out other crops.

Leaves and stems must be sprayed with copper-based preparations, as copper is affected by rust. The berries ripen early, but fruiting ends by July.

External description of the bush

The Loch Tay Blackberry is a semi-creeping plant whose shoots are over 4 meters long, with no thorns on smooth, light brown stems. From the central part of the bush, branches covered with emerald leaves with teeth along the edges begin to curl. At the beginning of summer, small white inflorescences appear, up to 10 of them are formed in one brush.

Taste of berries

The oblong fruits of Loch Tay blackberries turn black and silky by June. They weigh from 5 to 10 g, the mass of individual specimens reaches 12 grams. Berries are different:

glossy skin;
juicy pulp;
forest fragrance;
sweet taste.

Blackberry is rich in sugars and organic acids, does not deteriorate for a long time, retains a delicate smell. The fruits are filled with juice and ripen in the south in the second decade of June, in the northern regions the ripening period is shifted by 2 weeks.

Specifications

In terms of consumer value, the Loch Tay hybrid left behind many popular blackberry varieties, as it inherited the best characteristics from its relatives.

Resistant to drought and frost

A hybrid of Scottish selection can withstand temperatures up to +40, but when the heat lasts for a long time and there is no rain for a long time, the berries dry out a little and ripen not as juicy as with enough moisture. Blackberries tolerate low temperatures, but freeze in snowless winters.

Immunity to diseases and insects

Thanks to a powerful root system that absorbs useful components from the ground, the Loch Tay variety is practically not affected by fungi, is resistant to viruses, but suffers from rust. Treatment with copper formulations helps prevent the problem.

Recommended landing regions

Blackberry Loch Tay grows in the south of the country, takes root and bears fruit in the middle latitudes. You can cultivate the variety in the Moscow region, and in the North Caucasus, and in the Leningrad region, and in Siberia.

Reproduction

The Loch Tay blackberries are bred using several methods. At the end of summer, one of the lashes of the bush is bent down, the earth is poured, but the top is not covered. The layer is separated from the plant and transplanted to a new location.

The variety is propagated by green cuttings, branches up to 20 cm long are cut from shoots, planted in a greenhouse so that they take root. Breeding blackberries is obtained by air layering, seeds, dividing the bush and transplanting the apical bud.

Crop productivity

From 2 to 2.5 buckets of berries are harvested from one Loch Tay plant, most of the fruits are tied in the 5th year. With modern top dressing, compliance with the rules of agricultural technology, the yield increases by another 2 kilograms.

Beginning of flowering

Buds on blackberries open in June, when the frosts are already receding, the ovary does not die, and many fruits are formed, since there are up to 10 small white inflorescences on the brush. They appear already in the first year after spring planting, but in order for the bush to grow stronger, it is advised to cut off the buds.

Berry ripening period

Despite the late flowering, Loch Tay blackberries begin to sing in the southern regions in mid-June, in the middle lane 10-14 days later. Fruiting continues until the end of July. In terms of yield, the hybrid left behind even such popular varieties as Thornfree and Loch Ness.

Technology and landing features

Although the blackberry is considered an unpretentious plant, in order for it to please with berries, you need to follow agricultural practices, find a suitable plot for the garden, and place the plants on it correctly.

Choosing a he althy and strong seedling

For blackberries, it is better to go to a special nursery in order to purchase exactly Loch Tay, and not another variety. You need to buy an annual bush no higher than 40 cm, its shoots should have a light brown skin without cracks.

Choosing a place to land

Blackberry takes root well and bears fruit on neutral lands and soils with low acidity, where pharmacy and field chamomile and bindweed grow. The site for the Loch Tay hybrid should be allocated on the sunny side.

Preparing the soil and holes

Having chosen a place for blackberries, 2 weeks before planting, you need to dig holes no more than 40 cm deep every 2 meters. Half a bucket of humus is poured into them, mixing it with ash, watering the holes with water.

Scheme and planting technique

After 10-14 days, the blackberry roots are straightened and placed in the ground. The growth bud of the shrub is deepened into the ground by 30 mm, the soil is compacted, mulched with peat. Between the beds set aside at least 2.5 meters.

Hub care

Hybrid Loch Tay pleases gardeners who take care of it with a harvest of berries. Growing blackberries, in addition to observing agricultural practices, involves:

Proper bush formation.
Moisture.
Feeding.

We'll have to fight weeds, regularly loosen the soil, and in regions where there are severe frosts, also cover for the winter.

Irrigation

Loch Tay variety is not afraid of heat, withstands a long drought. In order for the berries to be juicy, the plant needs moisture. Drip irrigation helps to provide the necessary amount of water.

Water blackberries more often 2 times a week and be sure to:

when the seedling grows up to 15 cm;
during flowering;
late autumn.

On hot days, water can be put into the grooves. During the ripening period, excess moisture can lead to a deterioration in the taste of the fruit.

Feeding

When planting blackberries, humus with wood ash is introduced, adult plants are fertilized every 2 or 3 years with mineral complexes and organic matter. For feeding use chicken manure, rotted manure.

Pruning and shaping the bush

The first time blackberry shoots are shortened during planting. During the period of active development of the Loch Tay variety, the apical bud is cut off when the stem height reaches 35 and 90 cm. Old non-fruitful branches are cut to ground level. On an adult blackberry there should be 20 shoots , with a large number of them, thinning is carried out. Frozen areas in winter are removed.

Support for bush formation

Berries in the place of inflorescences in the Loch Tay variety form a lot. To prevent the branches from bending under their weight, a trellis is installed. To do this, pegs made of metal or wood are driven in at a distance of 5 m. Their height must be at least 2 meters. A wire is stretched between the posts, to which the shoots are attached.

Shelter for the winter

Loch Tay tolerates low temperatures, but freezes at -20. When grown in Siberia, in the Leningrad region and even in the Moscow region at the end of September, the branches are removed from the support and covered with needles, straw, dry leaves with a layer of 15 cm, it is not necessary to bury the bushes in the trench.