Blackberry himalayas

Introduction

On the territory of our country, blackberries for many years undeservedly remained in the shadow of their more famous counterparts - for example, raspberries. But in America, it was blackberries that have earned great love and recognition from gardeners. They also removed a lot of attention to the selection and breeding of a large number of new varieties and varieties of this plant. In recent years, interest in blackberry culture has increased in Russia, and a variety of varieties have become available to gardeners that would meet their needs and interests. One of these varieties is a variety that has a very exotic name - the blackberry of the Himalayas. In this article, we will just dwell in more detail on the description of this variety, talk about its most striking characteristics and features, as well as how to properly care for the planting, observe agricultural techniques so that the harvest is abundant and very tasty.

Blackberry Himalayas: Description of the variety, its advantages and disadvantages

Blackberry Himalayas: photos

The Himalayan blackberry is a semi-shrub plant that belongs to the large Rosaceae family. Also, crops such as crawilat and spirea, cinquefoil, kerria and many other plants belong to the same family. A blackberry bush grows up to one and a half meters, the variety is early maturing, high-yielding, large-fruited - in general, it has collected all the advantages that blackberry crops have. Also, the Himalayan blackberry variety is characterized by an average height of the shoots, the thorns are very weakly expressed, they can reach one centimeter, and sometimes you may not even find a single thorn on the shoots at all. The branches of the bush are hanging down, very interesting in their shape, it is quite simple to care for them.

The flowering period of the Himalayan blackberry begins at the very beginning of May and can last until the end of the summer season. The bush is literally completely covered with large flowers that tend to self-pollinate. Also, the bush is an excellent honey plant, so it can attract attention from many pollinating insects. It has a long ripening period for berries, so the harvest can be harvested not in one, but in several runs at once. Agree, this is very convenient and really a big enough advantage for the gardener himself, who just wants to get a bountiful and tasty harvest.

The berries of the Himalaya blackberry variety have several significant characteristics. Firstly, they are very large, and secondly, the shape of the berries is very aesthetically correct - they are oval. The berries themselves are colored in rich features or a reddish hue, have a glossy shine. A very pleasant aroma emanates from the berries, and they taste sweet with a slightly pronounced sourness. Of course, this all very much attracts gardeners who do not mind eating such berries and sharing them with other gardeners and lovers of blackberry culture.

In the culinary field and for medicinal purposes, you can use not only berries, but also the leaves of the blackberry bush. If you follow all the rules of agricultural technology and take care of the plant, you can collect up to eight kilograms of high quality berries from one bush. In general, the variety has both advantages and disadvantages, which are also recommended to be listed, because it will be much easier for a gardener to decide for himself whether he wants to purchase this blackberry variety, or if he still wants to use some other varieties for planting. The main pros of this variety of blackberries are as follows:

• caring for the plant is very simple, since it is completely unpretentious and not capricious, you should not choose any special techniques for caring for blackberries, especially if it is summer care
• the variety is winter-hardy, but still it is worth focusing on the fact in which region and area this blackberry grows
• the Himalaya blackberry variety is very resistant to diseases, has a high level of immunity and stress resistance
• the variety is self-pollinated, so you can not plant pollinating varieties nearby - the Himalayas will do just fine without them
• high yield is one of the advantages of this variety over many other blackberry varieties and varieties
• the fruits of the Himalaya blackberry ripen very early, while the fruiting period is very extended, it will be possible to collect the berries not in one go, but in several
• the taste characteristics of the Himalayan blackberries are at a high level, which is why they are so fond of many gardeners. Breeders are generally extremely proud of this planting and bred variety.

But if we talk about the shortcomings, then there are no obvious disadvantages, except that the variety is exacting to the soil, to its composition and fertile characteristics. Only on very fertile and light soil that has good drainage can the plant grow and develop properly and produce a very large number of berries and crops. Of course, all this can be achieved only if the gardener observes the requirements in agricultural technology, and also properly cares for his own plantings. Without this, the plants will not be able to be fertile, they will rather be very weak, and here we can no longer talk about the fact that there will be any large fruits, decorative flowering, and so on. In the next part of this article, we'll just talk about how to plant a plant correctly, as well as how to care for a blackberry in order to achieve the best results and to get the maximum of its properties and yield from a blackberry planting.

Blackberry Himalayas: photos

How to plant the Himalaya blackberry variety: agrotechnical requirements

When planting Himalayan blackberries in open ground, it is very important to choose a site, choose the planting materials correctly, and also observe all the rules for planting bushes so that they normally take root, take root and, accordingly, after a year or two give their first tasty fruits, for which the variety is so famous in modern gardening not only abroad, but also in our country.

If the gardener has decided that the Himalayan blackberry will grow on his site, then it is worth starting with a careful selection of planting material. There are several basic nuances and rules. According to them, planting materials should be bought in specialized stores or nurseries. Also, the materials are examined, their general condition and the condition of the root system are carefully assessed, because it is on this that the survival rate of the bushes, as well as the productivity of the plant itself, will largely depend. These rules and nuances include the following:

• the number of skeletal roots should be from three pieces, not less
• there may be one main shoot, but it must be very strong and strong, viable in order to become the basis for the whole plant in the future
• there should be no leaves on the stems
• the aerial part in length can reach forty centimeters and more
• the root part should also be very strong, its length can be fifteen or more centimeters, but not less, or it will be a very weak seedling
• the age of blackberry seedlings in the Himalayas can be from one to two years.

Blackberry Himalayas: photos

Before buying, the seedlings are carefully examined. They must be very healthy and strong, their appearance must be fresh. Shoots should not look dry, gaunt, lethargic or shriveled, they should not show any damage or specks, and there should be no signs of fungus or rot. Also, in no case should there be traces of diseases or the presence of parasites on the plant - this will indicate that this plant may be at risk, and after planting it will become even weaker and die, so it is best not to take such seedlings, but leave your choice in favor of strong and viable plants without putrefactive or other deformations or disturbances. Experienced gardeners recommend purchasing planting materials on farms, nurseries, and specialty stores.There, the seedlings are looked after, quality control is carried out, and therefore there is the lowest probability that a gardener will acquire low-quality materials for planting on his site.

In order to check the quality of the planting material, you can gently pry off a piece of bark on the seedling. The fabric should be fresh green, slightly damp, healthy and clean. If the gardener notices that the tissues under the bark are dry and dark, then it is best not to purchase such seedlings, since they already do not have the best condition. It is better to inspect other seedlings, find healthier ones, which are ideal for planting in a personal plot.

As we said earlier, this blackberry variety is very picky about the composition of the soil, as well as the place where it will be planted. The place must necessarily meet certain requirements, and we will definitely list them now:

• the place for the Himalayan blackberries should be illuminated by the sun's rays, be in a well-lit area. But even a slight partial shade may be suitable for blackberries; it will calmly react to such conditions. In no case is it recommended to plant Himalayan blackberries (and any variety) in highly shaded areas and in similar dark areas, since in this case you can no longer wait for a good and tasty harvest. If the plant lacks lighting, then this will lead to the fact that the shoots will begin to stretch up very quickly, the berries will become much smaller in size, and they will have no taste characteristics at all. In addition, in such conditions, the bushes practically do not survive frost. So it is worth taking the lighting with all responsibility and choosing the appropriate place for planting a blackberry bush
• the site must be protected from too strong, sharp gusts of wind, from drafts. Also, in winter, the plant should not be blown by winter winds, as this can cause irreparable harm to the bushes and even kill them.
• Do not plant Himalayan blackberries in lowlands or other places where groundwater is close to the surface of the earth. This can lead to the fact that they will touch the root system and, as a result, the roots of the blackberry will strongly rot. This will lead to the development of diseases, and then, if the gardener does not reveal any abnormalities in time, then the bush may die altogether. The soil should also not be swampy or waterlogged, the depth of the groundwater should be at least one and a half meters, and best of all even more - then the bush is best planted on a hill
• it is best to find a place where the soil will be fertile and loamy. Also, it should have a good drainage layer, high moisture capacity, so that the plant feels as comfortable as possible. The soil should be either neutral or slightly acidic. If the blackberry of the Himalayas will give a very small yield, then this means that the soils are calcareous or sandy. So it is worth taking care of the composition of the soil mixture, do everything to make the plant feel comfortable
• when planting bushes near fences or fences, it is worth making an indent near the walls of the premises, which is at least one meter. Then in such places the plant will grow remarkably, and it will also be possible to calmly care for the plantings, to harvest in the largest amount. Observance of these subtleties will allow the gardener to get a strong and fertile plant.

It is best to plant seedlings of the Himalayan blackberry variety at the very beginning of April, even before the warmest days come, and in general there will be a gradual warming. Breeders and agronomists allow planting a plant in autumn, for example, at the very end of September or at the beginning of October. But in general, this time will entirely depend on the region in which this variety will grow.For example, in the south, there is a lower risk that seedlings will freeze out in winter, respectively, blackberries can be planted in spring and autumn, right before the onset of frosts, which in the south are usually not as long and severe as, for example, in the middle lane or in the north.

If the planting of the Himalayan blackberries is carried out in the spring, then the planting site and the soil should be prepared in the fall. First, it is dug up to a depth of half a meter, then it is cleaned of the remnants of old plants and weeds, because it can provoke the development of diseases and the reproduction of pests. It is also required to apply fertilizers based on the area of ​​the site itself for future planting. It should be a mixture that includes humus, superphosphate, potassium-containing fertilizers. In general, one square meter of the site may require ten kilograms of humus, one hundred grams of superphosphate and fifty grams of fertilizers with a high content of such a component as potassium.

If the soil is clay, then it is worth adding a little sand and peat. Then the soil will become looser and lighter, more breathable and moisture-absorbing. It is imperative to take care of drainage so that all excess moisture comes out of the soil, otherwise watering can lead to waterlogging of the site. Further we will talk about how to plant blackberries correctly in order to comply with the rules of agricultural technology and not harm the plant. This variety is best planted in open ground using the so-called trenching method. The landing pattern looks like this. A two-meter distance remains between the rows, but between the bushes in one row, the distance can reach one and a half meters, sometimes more. If there is such an opportunity, then the beds are located from the north to the south.

It is important for every gardener to remember that the harvest, its quantity and quality largely depends on what is the planting feeding area. If the distance between the bushes is much less than the one stated above, then this will be considered a violation of agricultural technology, but there may also be intensive agricultural technology, when the gardener regularly checks the condition of the plantings and takes care of them - then this method is quite possible and even justified. At home, if the planting is carried out by an amateur gardener, then growing a small number of bushes does not imply a reduction in the distance - it should be such that the plants feel comfortable.

After the gardener has decided on the place to plant the blackberries, he should keep in mind that there is a step-by-step procedure for planting seedlings in open ground.

The algorithm consists of the following aspects:

• the soil that was prepared in advance must be poured onto the bottom of the prepared planting pit, and a little clean soil can be sprinkled on top. Otherwise, the delicate root system of the planting material can get burns, and this will lead to diseases of the bush and to its possible death (very likely if the gardener is not able to notice deviations in the growth or development of the planting in time)
• a seedling is carefully placed in the pit, the root system is straightened, the root buds should be located about four centimeters lower than the topsoil is located. Shoots can be shortened, leaving only twenty centimeters from their length. In general, shortening stops at the second or third fertile kidney.
• planting is carefully watered, it is recommended to mulch the trunk circle with compost or straw. Mulch generally plays a very significant role in the growth and development of the plant, so it is better to pay close attention to this moment so that the planting feels as comfortable as possible and quickly adapts to new conditions. Mulch allows moisture to evaporate more slowly, to keep the soil warm enough, and to protect the plant from attacks from pests.

The blackberry of the Himalayas needs the grower to constantly monitor the soil moisture and air humidity. This culture calmly refers to dry periods, but nevertheless, in order for the bushes to give enough harvest, it is necessary to constantly moderately water this plant. Drought can lead to the fact that the growth and development of planting will become slower, and shoots will grow worse, the berries will not be so tasty and juicy. If the gardener does not observe moderation in watering, then fungal infections can occur due to an excess of moisture in the soil. Of course, this will also play a very negative role in the development of plants, so the gardener needs to find the very middle ground in watering so that the blackberries feel very good.

You can dig trenches that are 30 to 45 centimeters deep. The soil that has been removed from the trenches should be mixed with organic fertilizing. Ash, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, some organic components should be added. Healthy roots can be trimmed a little, but dry roots are completely removed. But only if they do this, if there are dried roots at all. Sometimes gardeners make a mistake - first they plant blackberry seedlings, and then they only build trellises and supports, but the opposite should always be done, because the trellises become supports for the plant, and along them it begins to form, grow.

After the Himalayan blackberries have been sent to the open ground, it is necessary to organize competent care for the bushes. Indeed, only in this case, the blackberry will grow and develop correctly, and will also delight the gardener with an excellent harvest, tasty, healthy and abundant. The Himalayas are drought-resistant varieties (like many other varieties), and the root system goes deep into the soil near the bush. But in no case should the soil be allowed to dry out and the root ball dries up. The bushes should be watered based on what air temperature was set, as well as based on the weather forecast. On hot summer days, it is necessary to give the plant more moisture, watering is carried out with warm settled water, melt and rain water is also suitable. But at the same time, it is worth observing the measure when watering, otherwise the soil will begin to swamp, which will provoke the development of diseases and infections.

In the first one and a half to two months after the blackberry seedlings of the Himalayas were sent to the open ground, watering should be weekly, and should be carried out in the evening. Further, the soil should be moistened only during the period when the blackberry bush will bloom, as well as when the berries begin to ripen on it. For irrigation, the water should be defended and heated in the sun. From watering with cold water, the root system of the blackberry will simply experience a shock, and the plant will refuse to grow and develop altogether, so you should play it safe and not organize shock therapy for planting.

As for dressings, their frequency and quantity entirely depends on several main factors. This is the level of soil fertility, the number of bushes on the site, from the density of planting and what fertility the gardener himself expects from the bush. Like any fruit and berry plant or shrub, blackberries also need the gardener to bring in some of the main trace elements - nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Zinc and calcium, copper, which have a comprehensive effect on the growth and development of the plant, on the fruiting, abundance and quality of berries. When fertilizing blackberries, there are also some rules to consider. One of them assumes that nitrogen-containing components are introduced in the spring, but in the fall it is best to add substances such as potassium and phosphorus, that is, preparations in which they are contained in the greatest amount.

To get a moderate but tasty harvest, it is necessary to fertilize about two or three years after the bushes have been planted in open ground, and they have adapted in it to feed one adult plant, humus, saltpeter and superphosphate are needed, as well as very few substances that contain phosphorus. All fertilizers are applied directly under the root system. If the gardener does not have humus available, then he can use nitrophos as a substitute.

The gardener will be able to harvest the first crop only in the second year after the plant has been planted in open ground. In general, the plant usually bears fruit on last year's whips. And it is quite logical that you will have to wait some time in order to get a tasty and high-quality harvest. Berries of a blackberry variety called Himalayas ripen around July, but in general, ripening can take several months. Berries need to be harvested several times, and many gardeners say that this is only the positive side of this plant. We cannot but agree with them - everyone wants to enjoy a tasty and healthy harvest for a long time. It is also worth pointing out a few points that are just related to the harvest:

• it is best to start harvesting in the morning. The weather must be sunny, dry and comfortable. If it is rainy weather, a lot of precipitation, then the berries can become watery, their taste is reduced, and they will also be stored for much less time than the gardener would like.
• tear off the berry along with the stalk, so they will be better stored and wait in the wings
• the plucked berries should not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise they will bake. Also, when the berries are transported, shaking should be minimized, then the berries will be delivered safe and sound.
• if the berries are red and purple in color, then it is best not to pluck them and leave them on the bush until they are fully ripe. Only those berries are harvested from the bush that are fully ripe, which are painted in deep black color and have a glossy shine
• it is worth thinking about equipment, since for harvesting it is best to use clothing made of dense material that will cover the arms and legs. Otherwise, you can get damaged by thorns or get dirty with berries, because not all of them will be intact

Storage of the Himalaya variety blackberry crop

Blackberry Himalayas: photos

Before sending the Himalayan blackberries for storage, you must carefully sort out the berries and assess their condition. Very soft and crumpled berries, berries with damage, with mold, it is better to remove immediately, as they can spoil the general taste characteristics of the crop or the dishes from which they will be prepared. For storage, the blackberries can not be washed, but this can be done when the gardener finally begins to eat the fruits themselves. If it was decided to freeze the crop, then the berries are separated from the stalk, washed, laid out on a towel and dried so that drops of water and its residues do not freeze along with the berries and make their taste more watery.

In order to freeze the Himalayan blackberries, it is worth keeping in mind that there is a special technique for carrying out this process. The fruits are laid out in rows on a flat surface, and in this form are sent to freeze. After they freeze on the surface - on a board, a tray, then they are transferred to a container and sent back to the freezer. So, in general, it is worth freezing any types of berries so that they do not stick to each other, and so that later it is more convenient to use them for cooking and preserve their external characteristics. There is also an important point - the berries are distributed in disposable containers, since the blackberries will not tolerate repeated freezing - they will lose their external characteristics, lose their taste features, become generally tasteless and useless.

You can rub blackberries with sugar - such a dish will retain many useful properties and vitamins, and it will also be an excellent addition to any tea party. For this method, even those berries are suitable that were initially rejected by the gardener himself for further use - for example, for freezing.To rub the berries, wash, grind one kilogram of berries with one kilogram of sugar. It turns out a delicious treat for children and adults. The berries are left in a dark, cool place for 10-12 hours, because you have to wait for the sugar to completely dissolve. Then this mixture is transferred to storage containers and sent to the refrigerator. You can also freeze this ground mixture to extend the shelf life.

There are certain storage periods for Himalayan blackberries, which can be guided by depending on the type of storage of these berries. For example, fresh berries in the refrigerator are stored for up to twenty days, ground berries with sugar can be stored for about six months. If you freeze the mixture, then it will be stored from a year to one and a half years, retaining both taste and useful properties. If the berries were frozen fresh, then they are generally stored for up to three years, the main thing is not to freeze and thaw them several times, otherwise they will lose any of their properties.

There is another important factor that determines the care of plants - shrub pruning. The Himalayan blackberry is a variety that bears fruit as early as the second year after the bush was planted in open ground. When young shoots, located in the center, grow more than one meter in length, then the tops of them should be pinched ten to fifteen centimeters. If the side shoots begin to grow very rapidly, then they also need to be cut off a little so that they feel much more comfortable. But at the same time, you should not do this immediately after they begin to grow - it is better for the gardener to wait until the lateral shoots reach at least half a meter in length, and then they can be shortened.

With the onset of spring, all frozen tops must also be shortened to the very first living bud. In the autumn, dry and damaged branches are cut, those that look unviable or diseased. It is also worth removing excess growth, which is weak, and which can thicken the crown, which does not in the best way affect the state of the planting, its properties. You can also cut off old branches that have not given fruit for a long time at the root - this will already be pruning, close to rejuvenating. After the autumn pruning is completed, only the strongest and youngest shoots should remain on the bush. It is very important to keep track of what tools are being cut - they must be very well sharpened, and must also be decontaminated so that infections and bacteria do not enter the cut sites.

Breeding methods of the Himalaya blackberry variety

There are several ways to propagate the Himalayan blackberries, which I would like to list without fail:

• propagation using green cuttings - this method is considered one of the simplest in gardening, and even that gardener who has no experience at all can cope with it. The most important thing is to follow some guidelines and requirements to get the desired result. For reproduction, one-year shoots should be chosen, the length of which is about fifteen centimeters, and they also have from two to three strong viable buds. They are placed in a container filled with water, the kidney should be slightly covered with liquid. The shoots are kept at room temperature, while it is necessary to control the water level in the container and, if necessary, top it up. Approximately 10-14 days after the bud begins to germinate, part of the shoot is very carefully separated and planted in a container with soil. The soil must be suitable for seedlings, it is sold in a specialist gardening store, and it can also be found in nurseries and farms. Cuttings are planted with the onset of spring heat.
• reproduction using layering, which can be both horizontal and apical.This method acts as one of the most suitable, if we talk specifically about this plant variety. Around the second half of July and until August, it is necessary to root a twig, which is located in moist soil, the rooting depth is about fifteen centimeters. Also, the trunk circle must be carefully mulched. You can not cut off the layers from the plant, but next year, when the part takes root, it will be ready for planting, as it will become a full-fledged and very strong seedling. The most important thing is to follow all the rules, and then even that gardener who does not yet have such a rich experience in growing blackberry bushes and in their reproduction will cope with this task.

How to prepare the Himalaya blackberry variety for the winter

Blackberry Himalayas: photos

Of course, the question arises of how to prepare blackberry bushes for the difficult winter period. Even despite the fact that breeders claim that the Himalaya variety is resistant to winter frosts, it is still necessary for the variety to organize a shelter. In particular, shelter is necessary if the bush grows in the middle lane or in the northern regions, where the climate is characterized by its rigidity and unpredictability, especially with the onset of frost. As a shelter for blackberry bushes, spruce branches can be used - young shoots of the bush are gently tilted to the ground and covered with abundant coniferous branches. If the gardener does not have spruce branches, then instead of him, you can use absolutely any purchased material that is intended to shelter crops. It is best to pour a little snow on top of the bushes. This completes the process of preparing the bushes for the winter period, and in general you can only look after them and wait for the frost to stop to open the bushes again.

Conclusion

The Himalayan blackberry variety is great for the gardener to be able to get acquainted with this crop and the intricacies of how to grow it on his own personal plot. In general, the blackberry of the Himalayas is a hardy variety that can forgive the gardener for some mistakes in agricultural technology and care - the blackberry of the Himalayas is unpretentious, fruitful, the berries are tasty and versatile. In addition, they contain a large amount of nutrients and vitamins, which are very important for the human body and immunity. Therefore, we really pay great attention to the Himalayan blackberry variety and recommend it to be grown in various household plots, in greenhouse conditions and on an industrial scale. Let's not forget that the Himalaya blackberry variety is very tasty, it can be enjoyed not only by adults, but also by little berry lovers.

Blackberry Himalayas: photos