Blackberry Karaka Black

Recently, more and more attention is paid to blackberries. This berry plant is attractive for small farms, and large farms also test foreign varieties or varieties from Poland. For a long time, Russian breeders paid little attention to this crop, but the market has its own laws. Due to articles on the Internet and all kinds of literary sources in print, buyers have become more competent in information, and they also become more picky. People have learned that blackberries are more beneficial than raspberries, and they are also sweet, give off a pleasant aroma, without thorns. In this regard, the blackberry karaka black has become very popular in Russia.

A brief excursion into history

Blackberry Karaka Black: photo of the variety

It is already customary that new blackberry varieties come from North American or Polish territory. But New Zealand breeders also contributed to the development of blackberries. The Karaka Black variety is often mistaken for a novelty. However, they began to withdraw it already in 1982. This variety is a complex hybrid plant, it is obtained by crossing blackberries with ezemalina. Parents - "Aurora" (Oregon) and "Comanche" (Arkansas).

Harvey Hall, an employee of the New Zealand research station Hort Research, first crossed the varieties listed above, thus producing several good shoots for the future. Then he combined the genes of a plant with the largest fruits and a seedling with dense fruits. Thus, the blackberry variety "Karaka Black" was born, it was registered in 2003.

Despite the fact that the variety was bred in New Zealand territory, it became the most popular among the British.

Blackberry Karaka Black: variety description and characteristics

Blackberry Karaka Black: photo of the variety

The variety is decorative throughout the entire period. This berry plant shows good yields and is an adornment for any garden plot.

General characteristics of the blackberry variety Karaka Black

This variety is a typical dewdrop. The shoots are moderately thick, flexible, so it is easier to cover the plant for the winter season, not very elongated, in an adult blackberry they grow up to three to five meters. The bush is not strong, however, branches with shortened internodes, which are covered with thorns, are quite powerful, bend easily, but do not break. Shoots are moderately formed.

There are a large number of fruit branches, each has three to six fruits in an adult plant and two to three in a young bush. Shoots develop to a lesser extent, unless you specifically harm a well-developed rhizome.

The leaves are green in color, have three to five long lobes with denticles. The coloration of young children may be yellow - this is not a disease, this is a feature of the variety. There are a lot of thorns, they are sharp. However, they are not that big and stiff compared to other forms that have thorns.

When harvesting fruits and covering the shoots for the winter season, use thick gloves.

Fruits appear on last year's shoots.

Fruit

Fruits are decorative, black, shiny. Incompletely ripe berries have a purple color, when they just start to ripen - red. From a distance, the fruits resemble a large mulberry - they are oblong, taper towards the top, and may have a slight bend.

The average length of berries is four to five cm, weight is about ten grams. On young bushes, the fruits are smaller than that of an adult blackberry. In the fifth year, the fetus weighs about fourteen grams and is no longer such a rare occurrence. Some berries can be seventeen grams each.

Flavor and density change during maturation. Berries that have not reached maturity are reddish and acidic. With technical ripeness, they are already sweeter, pleasantly sour, there is an aroma. It is good to transport them, in the cool they retain their commercial properties for four to five days. Gourmets assure that the taste of the fruits of this variety cannot be confused with the berries of other forms of blackberries.

Fruits that are overripe soften and an unusual acidity is lost. They can fall off, therefore, it is necessary to collect berries in a timely manner, especially if the fruits go to the market.

Assessment of tasters - 4.5 points. Experts from the people evaluate the fruits more restrained, their assessment is 4.07 points.

If the weather is cool during the summer season, especially with a lack of sunlight, the taste of the variety deteriorates.

Characteristic features of the culture.

Blackberry Karaka Black: video

Blackberries of the Karaka Black variety are grown in Europe on an industrial scale in the open air under polyethylene. This variety was introduced to Russia recently, but it has already been appreciated by small farmers and gardeners. On large farms, this species is still being tested for resistance to changes in our climatic conditions.

Dignity.

"Karaka Black" does not tolerate the winter season with frosts. Shoots and buds do not withstand temperature conditions less than minus sixteen to seventeen degrees. Shelters are made even in the southern part of the Ukrainian territory, excluding areas where the winter season is mild, and frosty periods occur on rare occasions.

The resistance to the dry period is not so high, it is required to water regularly if you want to see a rich harvest. A severe hot period can harm fruits that are exposed to scorching sunlight throughout the day, but this can happen in southern areas.

Berries are transported when they are technically or fully ripe, great. Overripe fruits soften. Their transportation is difficult, the taste deteriorates.

The variety is whimsical in an average degree. It is required to take care of it in moderation, however, you cannot just plant a bush and leave it to grow on its own. It is difficult to look after because the shoots are covered with densely small thorns.

Flowering and ripening.

The plant begins to bloom in the south in the first or 15th of May, in the northern regions - a little later. The opening of the first buds occurs from the 15th of May or from the last days of May.

A characteristic feature of the variety is that the plant blooms and bears fruit in a wave-like manner. Initially, the opening of the upper buds occurs, which are located at the tips of the shoots that are well lit and raised on a support. Further, the bush begins to bloom below. When the lower buds open on the branches, which are almost at the level of the soil surface, the upper clusters are already ripe.

This is a huge advantage for private and smallholder farmers. And for growing on an industrial scale, this is a disadvantage.

Ripening of the variety is one of the first. Ukrainians collect the first fruits in the first to fifteenth days of June, in mid-latitudes - by the first days of June. Blackberries bear fruit and are really stretched out - within six to eight weeks.

Productivity, fruiting period.

This form is promising and has high yield rates. The yield from an adult plant is ten to twelve kg of fruits, and if it grows in a good place and the bush is properly looked after - up to fifteen kg. The yield per hectare is fifteen centners, New Zealanders collect up to twenty-five centners per hectare.There is information that in some European farms there are approximate figures for the same yield, but if you actively feed and take good care of it, then it will be so.

The variety bears fruit for two months. This is not so good for industrial plantings. But early ripening (June-early July days) promotes the sale of berries at an inflated price. When cultivated on small plantations, the duration of fruiting allows you to enjoy fresh berries for a long time. If there is not enough space, then you can not cultivate other forms.

Where the fruits are applied.

This is an elite variety. Berries can be eaten fresh, frozen, wines, juices, and preserves can be made. With technical ripeness, the berries are able to be transported well, stored for a long time, you can sell them on the market or in stores.

Immunity to diseases and harmful insects.

The variety has a high immunity to diseases and harmful insects. But still, prevention is mandatory.

Pros and cons.

Blackberry "Karaka Black" is promising for cultivation in private and small farms. In the domestic climate, planting on an industrial scale is still being tested.

Advantages.

• Large decorative fruit.
• Excellent taste.
• Flexible shoots, easily bend to the ground and take cover for the winter season.
• This is one of the early ripeness varieties.
• If you do not specifically harm the root system, then there will be a small amount of growth.
• A decent indicator of productivity, even though it is a dessert form.
• Extended fruiting (plus for small farms and private traders).
• Strong immunity to harmful insects and diseases.
• Fruits are well transported at technical ripeness.
• The berries are stored for a long time.
• The inner contents of the fruit are plump and juicy.

Minuses.

• Reduced resistance to frosty periods.
• Shoots prick.
• Average level of resistance to hot and dry periods.
• Extended fruiting (for an industrial scale).
• Fruits that are overripe may crumble.

Blackberry Karaka Black: variety breeding

Blackberry Karaka Black: photo of the variety

Reproduction methods: with the help of layering, pulping. The shoots grow in small numbers, however, if you specifically harm the root, then the bush will give a large number of young plants, and they can be planted. In the nursery, the variety is often distributed by cuttings (green or root cuttings).

Blackberry Karaka Black: Planting

You need to plant the variety in almost the same way as any other blackberry. In order for the seedlings to take root well, the correct site is selected, the soil mixture is prepared, and the young plant is watered.

Optimal time.

It is better to plant the plant in the spring season, after warming the soil to a depth of forty to fifty cm. Thanks to this, the bush will adapt to the new site, and it will take root until the cold period. Only in the south, planting is carried out in the autumn season. The blackberries will have time to take root before the frosty days come, as this will happen late. In the spring, planting a plant in the southern regions is not recommended, because the hot period can come unexpectedly, because of this, the seedling may die, as it will not have time to adapt.

How to choose a site for planting.

Blackberries of the Karaka Black variety love to grow in the sun, it is imperative that the place be protected from cold winds. Lack of light will negatively affect the palatability of the fruit. Only in the south, with scorching sunlight, is it required to shade the seedlings.

The soil should be loose, preferably nutrient-rich loamy soil with low acidity.

How to prepare the soil.

To provide the bushes with optimal living conditions, a soil substrate is prepared for planting.For this purpose, the surface soil layer is mixed with humus (bucket), additional fertilizing is introduced in the form of phosphorus (120-150 grams) and potassium (50 grams).

Soils with an alkaline or neutral reaction should be acidified with high-moor (red) peat. Carbonate soils need to additionally add organic matter, rather compacted clayey - sand. Excessively acidified soil can be improved with lime.

Pits for planting are dug out according to the 50x50 cm scheme. They are filled by two-thirds with a soil substrate, filled with water, and infused for ten to fourteen days.

How to choose and prepare blackberry seedlings Karaka Black

Shoots should be densely covered with small thorns. This is an important varietal characteristic. Do not trust those who try to hand you seedlings without thorns. This is not Karaka Black! In addition, the roots should be well developed, with several thickened processes and a large number of lateral roots resembling filaments. The bark should not wrinkle or crack.

Preparation before planting - Water the Karaka Black seedlings or soak the exposed root for about twelve hours.

Work progress.

Free planting is preferable to the blackberry variety Karaka Black. For private owners (if there is a lot of space) between the bushes and in the row spacing, the interval is three meters. In large farms, it is not necessary to compact more than one and a half meters.

Planting progress.

• A small hill is poured into the bottom of the landing pit. Roots are distributed along its circumference.
• When you fall asleep and compact the soil, remember that the root collar needs to be buried one and a half to two cm.
• Water the seedling with a bucket of water.
• The trunk circle must be mulched with sour peat or humus.

Blackberry karaka black: care

Blackberry Karaka Black: photo of the variety

The blackberry variety Karaka Black is cultivated on a trellis. You need to choose one that is comfortable for you - multi-row, in the form of the letter "t". If you do not tie the shoots, then they will fall on the ground, because this form of blackberry is directly related to the dews. The fruits will be stained, so the shoots will also take root. Then difficulties will arise, you will have to do something additionally, correct the situation, and if you take into account that the shoots are with thorns, then you will clearly not like this work.

It is convenient to tie the branches that bear fruit on one side, and the young ones on the other.

The yield indicator, the characteristics of the fruits are influenced by the application of fertilizers, watering, in the north - the level of illumination. With a lack of sunlight, the fruits may not pick up sweet qualities very well, and as a result, they may remain sour. The berries ripen not equally - in a wave-like manner, therefore, when fruit is formed, tear off the leaves that shade the brushes.

Agrotechnical techniques.

Blackberries of the Karaka Black variety need to be watered regularly, especially when they are blooming and forming fruit. The soil must be watered for the entire period, because the opening of the lower buds occurs when the berries have already been collected from the upper branches.

In the first and last days of the season, loosening of the soil under the plants is carried out. At other times, it is advisable to mulch the soil. For acidic soils, humus or straw is used, alkaline and neutral soils are mulched with red (high) peat.

In the spring season, nitrogen is introduced, when the bush blooms - a full range of minerals. When the fruits are poured and further flowering occurs, it is good to spray the bushes with solutions with the addition of chelates (to avoid chlorosis). After the plant has finished bearing fruit, potassium monophosphate is added.

Pruning procedure.

First, immediately after the bush has finished bearing fruit, old shoots are cut out. They will no longer be required, and will only prevent the ripening of young shoots, taking away food and water for themselves.

An adult bush should have six to eight strong branches.The upper parts and lateral shoots do not need to be pinched, because fruiting branches are well formed anyway. Although the conditions are different for everyone, it is worth trying to shorten part of the main shoots, and leave the second part. For two to three years, determine which method is best to grow blackberries in your area.

How to prepare blackberries for the winter season.

The whip is flexible. Covering a bush for the winter, it will be problematic only because of the thorns. The twigs should be pinned to the soil and covered with spruce branches, dried corn stalks, spandbond, or dry soil. It is required to insulate in such a way that the plant does not freeze, focus on your climatic conditions.

It is necessary to unwrap the bushes in a timely manner in the spring. To vomit for her is many times worse than to freeze out.

Diseases and harmful insects

There will be no difficulties, or they will be, but minimal, if raspberries, strawberries, and nightshade plants are not planted next to the blackberry bush. In the autumn and spring seasons, it is possible to process blackberries of the Karaka Black variety with copper-containing agents.

Summary

Blackberry Karaka Black: video

Blackberries without thorns are not always the best option. Although the blackberry variety "Karaka Black" has thorns, its fruits are so decorative and tasty that scratched hands will be a small price to pay for a rich and worthy harvest.

Blackberry Karaka Black: reviews

Svetlana Georgievna, 57 years old, Ukraine: “I have been cultivating Blackberry for a long time, we adore it with our children and granddaughters. The main disadvantage is thorns. On the Internet, I picked up and made an order for blackberries without thorns. "Karaka Black" (acquired) surprised me that it has thorns. I was not thrilled. But what to do, dropped off. When the first fruits appeared, I could not believe my eyes. They reminded me of a huge mulberry. In the first season, the grandchildren managed with all the berries, they did not even wait for full maturity. The next year there was a large amount of fruit, everyone got it, no one was left offended. Now I have carried out reproduction with the help of layering, other varieties had to be removed. And the thorns? Yes, with such fruits, you already forget about them altogether. "

Liana Borisovna, 38 years old, Krasnodar: “I like the blackberry of the Karaka Black variety. So what if there are thorns. But the fruits are delicious! The berry is large, pretty, and what flavor it emits - I wish everyone to feel it! Upon the arrival of the guests, I put a vase with berries on the table - everyone is delighted, they praise me! And I just picked the right variety. Shelter for the winter is not a problem. Although there are a great many thorns, they are small, put on mittens - and go! You just need to bend the flexible whips to the ground. "