Blackberry Smutstem

Blackberry Smutstem: variety description

The varieties of thornless blackberries have been known for a long time, and, therefore, are especially popular. Blackberry Smutstem refers to such plants. The plant has a good yield and is easy to care for. How to properly care for a plant, we will consider in our article. The variety begins its history since 1966. The plant is the result of crossing several varieties. It is for this reason that the plant has good frost immunity and a high yield.

Blackberry Smutstem: photo

Blackberry Smutstem is characterized by the following features:

• Large berries - 5-7 g.
• Long shoots - up to 3 m.
• The foliage is large with a bright green color.
• There are no thorns.
• Unpretentious care.

Due to the fact that the plant has a good yield, most often they begin to cultivate varieties for sale. The plant does not need special care and processing, it is for this reason that this variety was able to win such love among gardeners. Also, the variety has certain features that are characteristic only of it.

Resistant to drought and frost. The plant is characterized by resistance to low temperatures. In regions where the land is harsh, the plant needs shelter for the winter. the plant is best planted in a sunny area. The variety has a strong root system, so it is able to tolerate dry weather well and does not need frequent watering. The first fruits can be obtained in the second year after planting.

Harvest and fruits. The plant is characterized by large, juicy berries, which have an elongated shape, sweet and sour taste. Fruiting of the variety occurs in mid-August - early September. One bush of a plant can produce 2-3 kg of berries.

Blackberry Smutstem: landing

There are no specific rules for planting the Smutstem blackberry variety. Planting takes place in the same way as other varieties of blackberries.

When should you plant? Planting is best left in the spring (end of April) or autumn (end of September). It is necessary to plant at the specified time, otherwise the plant will not have time to take root, get stronger, as a result of which it can dry out in a hot period of time, or freeze from the first frost.

Choosing a place. ripening of berries is best done in the sun. If the plant is deficient in light, then the fruits may become small in size and not have a pronounced taste. You can not plant in excessively moist soil so that the plant does not undergo fungal diseases. Planting blackberries next to raspberries can help reduce your time for care and prevention of various diseases. The thing is that they belong to the same family, so they can get the same diseases and need the same care.

Blackberry Smutstem: photo

We are engaged in the selection and preparation of planting material. When choosing seedlings, special attention should be paid to green leaves so that there is no damage. The roots must be intact.

How to plant correctly. It is necessary to plant the Smutstem blackberry variety in pre-prepared trenches, having previously added compost to the soil. The planting scheme is as follows: 1 * 2 or 2 * 3 m. It is best to cut the seedling up to 25 cm, after which it needs abundant watering and hilling.

Blackberry Smutstem: leaving

You need to keep track of how many shoots are on the bushes.To get a good harvest, an amount of 5-6 is considered sufficient, the rest must be pruned. Also, the procedure can be carried out after you have harvested for strong, young shoots. Fertilizers need to be applied in the spring. for this, you can use urea or a weak mullein solution. The plant needs an obligatory garter for the correct formation of the bush. For this purpose, you can use trellises, the height of which is 1.7-1.8 m.

We harvest and store it. It is possible to harvest Smutstem blackberries only after the berries are fully formed. This can be easily understood by how the grooves next to the drupe will be filled. Berries must be carefully picked and put into a container. Berries should never be left in direct sunlight, because they will immediately turn red and taste bitter. Berries are allowed in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.

We are preparing for the winter period. Despite the fact that the plant is able to tolerate the cold well, it is still better to cover the plant for the winter period. Blackberry variety Smutstem must be removed from the trellises, covered with sawdust or covered with a box and closed on top with agrofibre. But you need to pay attention to the fact that it does not come into contact with the plant - it can freeze, which will damage the plant.

We are engaged in breeding

Blackberry Smutstem: video

You can propagate the Smutstem blackberry variety by various methods:

Cutting method. Young shoots are used, which need to be cut into several cuttings, treated with a solution in order to enhance growth. Then they are planted in a greenhouse.

With the help of shoots. This option is more common. In mid-July or August, the shoots of the plant must be tilted, and the top must be deepened into moist soil and fixed with clothespins. Already in the autumn, roots will begin to appear on the shoots. The soil will need to be fertilized, mulched and covered for the winter. next year, the plant will need to be separated from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place.

Diseases and insect pests

The plant can be subject to such diseases:

• The appearance of rust. Brown spots and spots begin to appear on the leaves.
• Anthracnose. On the shoots and leaves, you can see oval-shaped spots with a gray-purple tint.
• The appearance of a purple spot. Purple spots begin to appear on the leaves.
• Powdery mildew infection. Berries and leaves begin to become covered with a white bloom.

Often, diseases can affect blackberries if the plant is grown in a humid climate. If you notice the first signs of the disease, then you need to prune the affected areas or remove the affected bush. Then spray the bush with Bordeaux liquid, infusion of garlic or sow thistle. It is also necessary to regularly remove weeds from the Smutstem blackberries, since they may contain disease spores.

As for insects, the plant can attack:

• Medvedka and crustaceans - harm the root system of the plant.
• Gall midge and aphids - cause damage to shoots.

To avoid meeting with pests, you should spray the blackberry bushes Smutstem using special insecticides. As a preventive measure, you can use various dressings to increase the immunity of the plant. also, before covering the plant for the winter, the plant needs careful inspection and pruning of all damaged areas, if any.

A large crop volume, unpretentious care, good tolerance to low temperatures - helped the Smutstem blackberry to win love and popularity among gardeners.