Propagation of blackberries with green cuttings and air layering at home

Propagation of any blackberry variety is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. There are many ways to plant blackberry bushes. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Why should I propagate blackberries?

Cultivation of blackberries does not require special knowledge, as it may seem to many gardeners. Growing blackberry bushes is no more difficult than growing raspberries or fruit trees. Blackberry bushes are still rarely found on domestic plots, although blackberries are unpretentious plants and it is very easy to care for them.The advantage of garden blackberries is a large amount of vitamins and minerals in ripe fruits. The berries are juicy and sweet, and they also make delicious jam.

Specific reproduction of blackberries in different seasons

Growing blackberries at home is not that difficult. Landing at certain times of the year is different in its specificity. Mostly plants are planted in spring and autumn. In summer, bushes are planted in extreme cases, when there is no other opportunity to plant blackberry bushes. In autumn, it is recommended to plant a plant in the southern and central regions.

High humidity contributes to the spectacular growth of roots in the winter. With the onset of spring, seedlings actively begin to grow.

When planting cuttings in the spring, they do not have time to take root before the onset of heat. And when the heat comes, the cuttings immediately begin to increase the deciduous mass, which does not have a very good effect on the yield and he alth of plants.In autumn, cuttings are planted one month before the onset of cold weather. And in the spring, cuttings should be planted until the air temperature rises to +15 degrees.

Methods of reproduction

There are many ways to propagate blackberries in the garden. Some of them are simple enough that even a beginner in gardening can cope with the reproduction of the berry. Only an experienced gardener can handle other growing methods. Each method of growing blackberries also has its pros and cons.

Tops

Propagation by tips is suitable for climbing and climbing varieties that form long and elastic shoots As a rule, this is how the plant propagates in the wild. Propagation by tips is suitable for beginners in gardening and for those summer residents who do not want to spend a lot of time on this. Plant propagation stages:

In the period from the first decade of July to the first days of August, you need to bend the tops of young shoots to the soil.
The top 15 cm should be covered with soil or spud.
About a month later, the tops will give roots and begin to actively develop.
With the onset of autumn, the tops are covered with spruce branches or straw.
In the spring they are carefully cut off from the mother bush and transplanted to a new place.

This method of reproduction is considered one of the simplest, but at the same time effective. It is rare that some of the tops do not give roots.

Dividing the bush

Growing crops by dividing the bush is most common among summer residents. Almost any plant can be planted in this way. And the blackberry is no exception. Any kind of berry can be diluted with this method.

Cultivation of shrubs in this way is suitable if there are no young shoots on the berry, and other methods are not suitable.

Stages of growing blackberries by dividing the bush:

Dig up blackberry bushes in spring or autumn.
After that, the bush is divided in such a way that each part has 2-3 he althy shoots. At the same time, there must be at least one kidney on the roots.
As a rule, 6-7 bushes are obtained from one adult bush.
After that, the separated seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place.

This method is suitable if the shrub has grown strongly and needs to be transplanted.

Root offspring

With the onset of spring, each plant begins to expel root offspring for further reproduction.As soon as the root suckers reach a length of 15 cm, they must be cut off with a sharp pruner and transplanted to a new place. In order not to wait for autumn, this process can be accelerated. In autumn, a large clod of soil is left on the rhizome. Thus, the plant will not feel any changes, which means it will not get sick in the spring.

Layers

Top layering is best for propagating climbing blackberry varieties. A large number of bushes can be obtained if the mother plant has grown enough, and those shoots that could produce a crop are not particularly needed:

Next to the kut you need to dig a trench to a depth of 20 cm.
At the end of summer, you need to attach the shoot to the soil and bury it.
Only the tops should remain on the surface of the soil.
After the shoot is completely covered with earth, it is pinched on both sides. On the one hand, at the base. On the other hand, at the top.
Then the shoot is mulched and watered abundantly.
After about 2 months, the first roots appear, as well as new shoots.

In the spring, you can start transplanting layers to a new place.

Reproduction in water by sleeping kidney

This method takes a lot of time, but it is very effective. Blackberry propagation steps:

In early October, cut young cuttings about 15 cm long. Cut off the leaves, and put the shoots themselves in the refrigerator.
In February, get the cuttings, place in a jar of water so that only one kidney is in the water.
The jar of cuttings should be kept in the sun and periodically change the water.
After some time, roots will appear from the cuttings, after which the lower part of the cutting is cut off and planted in a container with soil.
The second kidney is dipped in water, and it will also give roots.

In this way, you can grow several seedlings at once. In the spring, cuttings with roots are planted in a permanent place.

Cutting

You can plant blackberries using cuttings. This method is suitable for any variety of berries. The advantage of cuttings is that at minimal cost, you can get the maximum number of seedlings.

Process cuttings:

In autumn, cuttings 40 cm long are cut from young, but already lignified shoots.
Then you need to bury them with earth to a depth of 20 cm.
With the onset of spring, dig up the cuttings, cut off 5 cm on both sides and cover with soil again.
The cuttings are regularly weeded and watered.
When the first pair of leaves appears, the cuttings are dug out of the ground and planted in separate pots.

After new leaves appear on them, blackberries are planted in a permanent place.

Stem cuttings

Planting with stem cuttings according to the technology is exactly the same as regular cuttings.

Seeds

Cultivation of blackberries by seed is the longest. From the moment the seeds are planted to the appearance of the first berries, at least 5 years pass. In addition, not all novice summer residents will be able to cope with this matter. Germination of store seeds is very low and is only 10%. The germination rate of seeds harvested by hand reaches 80%. To get seeds, you need to collect overripe berries and mix them. As a result, the seeds should separate. Rinse the blackberry gruel several times in water through cheesecloth to wash the seeds.

Spread the seeds on gauze and dry. Then you need to remove them in a dark room for 2-3 months. For example, in the refrigerator. Put the seeds in a container and cover with wet sand.

In the spring, the seeds are planted in the ground. Containers with future sprouts are placed under phytolamps. In autumn, the seeds are planted in open ground. Do not be afraid that the sprouts will freeze. Such conditions are quite natural for blackberries. In the spring, after the snow melts, the first sprouts should appear. When they grow up, they are seated.

Plus seed growing - the ability to care for seedlings at home. In addition, sprouts can be planted in spring at any time after the end of night and day frosts. You can also control the quality and quantity of blackberry shoots. Minus - the sprouts will have to create favorable conditions for them to germinate.

Green cuttings

Another easy way to propagate blackberries is with green cuttings. To do this, in the summer, when the leaves of the bushes are fully formed, several shoots are cut off. These shoots are then cut like cuttings. Cut off a couple of lower leaves, leaving only the top.

Each seedling is planted in separate containers (you can use peat cups). The containers are put in a dark, warm room and covered with cling film to create the effect of a greenhouse. Regularly ventilate and water the cuttings. Roots should appear in 2 weeks. After another week, you can plant the blackberry in a permanent place and root it there. This method is good because with a minimum investment of time, you can grow a large number of berry seedlings.

How to propagate blackberries without thorns?

Thornless blackberry is propagated by top layering. But other methods are also suitable. When growing, it should be remembered that in the first year the shoots do not bear fruit, and in the second year, lateral shoots with fruits, although they form, then die off completely.

For planting thornless varieties, attention should be paid to the composition of the soil. Before planting cuttings with roots, the earth is mixed with wet sand, peat and mineral fertilizers. The thickness of fertile soil is about 10 mm.

Possible errors

The main mistake when growing blackberries is strictly following the recommended planting dates, even if the weather conditions are unfavorable. Cuttings should be immediately rooted in the ground at a permanent planting site. When transplanting, delicate roots can be damaged. Another mistake is non-compliance with the rules of agricultural technology. Many gardeners do not pay attention to care during the propagation of blackberries, which is also a mistake.