Blackberry Apache

In recent years, blackberries have become even more popular in horticulture than their very close cousin, raspberries. This is due to the fact that the plant gives very abundant fruiting and, at the same time, it perfectly adapts in a wide variety of climatic conditions, can take root in soils of different composition, feeling quite comfortable everywhere. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on a blackberry variety called Apache. This is a wonderful bush that will not only decorate any personal plot, but also allow you to get a bountiful and delicious harvest. The most important thing is to take care of the Apache blackberry, observing the subtleties of agricultural technology, and then the gardener will be very pleased with the purchase and planting.

Some modern varieties have come a long and thorny path before ending up in the private plots of private gardeners, and even more so before ending up in large-scale industrial production. Apaches are one such variety. It was obtained as a result of very long breeding work, over which a large number of gardeners and agronomists worked, who wanted to get an excellent result and at the same time a profitable plant in terms of its care and agricultural technology. The homeland of the variety is America, namely the state of Arkansas, and from there the bush spread to many other territories of this world, becoming a real celebrity, in particular in Russia.

The Apache blackberry variety was created in 1988, scientists then crossed one of the famous novelties of that time - a blackberry variety called Navajo with an experimental hybrid, which also later became known, but then he had only an identification code - Ark. 1007. The variety turned out to be of very good quality, it has absorbed the positive characteristics from the mother crops. As a result, the breeders called the resulting crop promising, but at the same time it became later than, for example, the same Navajo variety, and for many this was not the best quality. At the same time, the Apache blackberry is a variety that gives a stable amount of harvest and, most importantly, over time, from year to year the berries do not become smaller, they remain just as tasty and attractive. In the following years, strong and healthy seedlings were created, and the variety became one of the best among all others that belong to the category of upright and thornless varieties. Thus. The Apache blackberry variety combines a very large number of positive characteristics. But the patent for this variety was published much later - only in 2001. Until that time, breeders and agronomists tried to improve the variety, make it even more fertile, identify other positive characteristics, so that it finally demonstrates with its growth and development what an ideal blackberry shrub should be, which will take root in different regions and climatic zones, remaining very bright and fertile variety. In the next part of this article, we will give a description of the Apache blackberry variety, so that it is easier for the gardener to imagine what this variety is, what are its advantages, disadvantages and other features that must be taken into account when planting fruit and berry bushes on a garden plot.

Blackberry Apache: variety description and characteristics

Blackberry Apache: photos

When the Apache blackberry reaches its maturity, it becomes slightly oval, elongated, while its size is assessed as large, and the weight of one berry on average ranges from seven to nine grams.The color of the berry is bluish-black; as it ripens, it becomes darker and darker. The fruits are quite uniform, throughout the entire fruiting stage, they retain their size, look incredibly attractive and interesting. As for the taste characteristics, Apache blackberries are very sweet and balanced. There is some sourness in the taste, but it only balances the taste of the berries.

It is worth noting that the taste and other characteristics of the berries will depend on the region in which and in what climatic conditions this culture grows. For example, if the Apache blackberry grows in a very humid climate, and the bush does not get enough sunlight, then this can lead to the fact that the berries remain large, but at the same time they will be quite watery and sour. If you plant a bush in direct sunlight, then berries have the property of being baked in the sun, they rot much faster, losing their taste. The seeds in the berries are of medium size, they are generally felt when the berries are eaten, but at the same time they do not spoil the impression of the grown crop at all.

The shoot part of the Apache blackberry is incredibly powerful, the branches and shoots themselves are erect, grow straight up and with their whole appearance demonstrate their strength and the fact that even in rather harsh conditions they are able to maintain their viability, and this is really incredibly important. Fruiting occurs in the second half of June. The duration of fruiting is about four to five weeks - here a lot will depend on care, adherence to agricultural technology, the age of the plant, as well as on the climatic conditions in which this culture grows, and whether it will feel comfortable enough under the prevailing conditions. Among some other varieties that can be considered relatives of the Apache blackberry, it is our main character that has an excellent harvest, from one bush you can collect from four to five kilograms of berries, which will still be very tasty and healthy, even if they do not become so numerous as we would like.

Blackberry Apache: growing and care

Berries can safely transfer transportation over long distances, while not losing either their taste or external characteristics, which, of course, is a huge advantage of this variety. In order to make the yield even more abundant, as well as in order to facilitate your own planting care, it is necessary to periodically plan crop pruning. Reproduction of Apache blackberries is carried out in such a way as by rooting the tops. Also, more experienced gardeners suggest that the variety can also be propagated with the help of root suckers, the main thing is to observe all the nuances and subtleties of reproduction, then the resulting planting material will retain the characteristics of the mother plant.

Apache blackberry bush is frost-resistant, can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees. But if the plant is located in an area with an unstable and cold climate, then it is recommended to take care of installing a shelter for the winter. The shoots of the plant are very thick, as we have already said, and it is recommended to take care of the shelter in advance. Shoots must be given a more horizontal direction of growth in the first year of their growth, so that later it would be easier to bend them to the ground for shelter.

The Apache blackberry is distinguished by the fact that it very poorly tolerates high temperatures and prolonged drought. In hot climates, the bush can grow, but the growing process slows down, new berries can stop forming altogether, the leaves dry and crumble, and the fruits that had time to set up spoil. In this case, if there is no other way out, then the gardener must ensure regular watering and the introduction of water under the bush, and still try to shade the bushes.Some materials are great for artificial shading - agrofibre or special nets, which can be purchased in specialized stores for gardeners, or in nurseries and farms.

As for the immunity and resistance of the variety to diseases and attacks from pests, this issue is at the stage of active study. Gardeners know that blackberries have immunity to leaf rust, and bushes, in principle, are quite rarely amenable to other common diseases. The most important thing is that the gardener takes care of the plantings, as well as that he observes all the rules of planting and agricultural technology. Then the Apache blackberry will feel comfortable, the risk of possible diseases and the spread of a variety of dangerous infections will decrease.

In conclusion, it should be said that the Apache blackberry is a wonderful and unpretentious blackberry variety. Its main advantages are that the berries on the bush are very tasty and large. The shoots do not have thorns, which simplifies the process of caring for the shrub, and, in principle, it also simplifies harvesting to the last berry. The yield of the variety is very good, given the other characteristics of this variety, it is generally close to ideal. The Apache blackberry variety is very young, some of its characteristics and aspects are under study. But at the same time, he has already managed to fall in love with many gardeners who are trying to grow this variety not only on private homestead estates, but also on a wider industrial scale. It was important for us to understand what kind of variety it is, to convey key information about it to gardeners and give them the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they want to see such a bush on their own plot, or they can choose slightly different varieties that are also in demand today, but with they have also been studied much better and deeper. In this case, you can rely on your own intuition and try to grow this variety, moreover, it is completely unpretentious and demonstrates excellent results without additional efforts on the part of the gardener himself.

pros

Blackberry Apache: photos

Thus, we have obtained a variety that has its advantages and some disadvantages. Among the advantages are very large berries, which are distinguished by a very intense, complex, but at the same time incredibly attractive taste. Apache fruiting is quite extended, it can last for a month, and therefore the fruits should be collected quite often. Shoots and branches do not have any thorns at all, which simplifies planting care, and also simplifies harvesting - literally to the very last berry. The berries do not grow smaller every year. They remain the same large and very juicy, while they can be transported over long distances, they can be stored for quite a long time. During transportation and storage, the berries do not lose their characteristics either in terms of taste or in terms of external characteristics. Note also that the bush gives a very high yield, while the plant itself is very compact, it is easy to form lateral shoots, and after pruning, the planting is able to recover on its own without getting sick or stopping in development.

Minuses

There are drawbacks to the Apache blackberry variety, and they are also worth mentioning. The variety can not withstand Russian frosts in the best way, since its immunity and original place of origin did not lay such opportunities in the Apaches. It is very difficult to cover a bush for the winter. Yes, the shoots and branches are completely thornless, but at the same time they are very dense and thick, and bending them down for cover is already a rather big problem.Also, the bushes of this blackberry are very poorly able to endure the summer heat and lingering heat - especially if the bush has begun to bear fruit, then there is a great risk that in the sun the berries will simply bake and lose their taste, and even external features, if they are not collected on time, or not on time shade the bush. It should be borne in mind right away that this is a medium late variety, and if suddenly the frosts start early, then part of the crop will not have time to ripen. Therefore, right there, the gardener should prepare for the fact that from ten to fifteen percent of the crop may be lost.

In order to get an excellent harvest, tasty and healthy, mature, the gardener must follow a number of agrotechnical requirements and follow the rules of care. This is an organized irrigation system, watering in accordance with the schedule, pruning and shaping shrubs, regular feeding and, importantly, organizing a shelter for the winter period. The variety has already shown itself to be quite resistant to various diseases, for example, to rust. But there is still a risk of infection with gray rot due to the fact that the gardener did not follow the irrigation schedule and allowed the soil to become waterlogged. Prevention of fungal diseases is carried out regularly and without fail, so that the plant is never threatened by anything at all. Only taking into account the fact that the gardener himself will take responsibility for planting, you can achieve high yields, as well as high immunity and stress resistance from the plant itself.

Blackberry Apache: reviews

Blackberry Apache: video about the variety

Reviews of the Apache blackberry are mostly positive. Gardeners say that they are primarily attracted to the taste of berries. Although the sourness is felt, it dilutes the sweetness, which makes the blackberry of this variety more versatile. And in general, gardeners praise the Apache blackberry for the fact that this variety is relatively unpretentious, that only elementary rules of agricultural technology should be observed in order to achieve the most positive and very fertile result. We cannot but agree - the variety is truly incredible, especially when compared to many other plantings. So the Apache blackberry variety definitely deserves attention from gardeners and gardeners, and for sure at least one such bush should definitely be planted on the site. Otherwise, the Apache blackberry is a completely stable plant, no different from others, there are pros and cons - the choice here is only for the gardener himself.