Content
thornless blackberry especially popular both in private gardens and industrial plantations. The first thornless variety to reach Russia and neighboring countries was Thonfree. It is noteworthy that the name is translated from English as “free from thorns.” This blackberry was a sensation at one time; it was considered the most productive and very tasty. There are now many new varieties that are superior to Thornfree in every respect except fertility. But this blackberry remains in demand and one of the most common in garden plots.
History of selection
Thornless blackberries Thornfree (Thonfree) appeared in 1966 thanks to the American breeder D. Scott.It belongs to the Maryland varieties, widely known throughout the world. The hybrid blackberry Thornfree originates from the varieties Brined, Merton Thornles and Eldorado.
In 2006, Thonfree was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation and recommended for cultivation in all regions.
Now Thornfree blackberries are used in the creation of new varieties as a donor of thornlessness and yield. In particular, it acted as one of the parent crops for the American Black Satin variety and the Serbian Chačanska Bestrna.
Description of the berry crop
From its inception to this day, Thonfree blackberries have remained one of the most common industrial varieties.
General idea of the variety
Thornfree blackberries are varieties with semi-creeping shoots. At first they grow upward, like brambles, and then become like dewberry lashes, moving to a horizontal position.
The Thornfree variety forms a low, powerful bush with thick, round shoots, which can be faceted at the base and reach a diameter of 3 cm or more. There are no spines along the entire length. Young shoots are green, annual shoots are purple-cherry. Without pinching the top, their length can reach 5-6 m. The ability to form new shoots is weak.
The leaves are large and may have 3 or 5 dark green ruffled segments on a single Thornfree blackberry plant. The branches on which fruiting occurs are heavily pubescent.
The root system is powerful, shoots are not formed. The flowers are pink, up to 3.5 cm in diameter.
Berries
The berries of Thonfree blackberries are black, glossy until fully ripe, large, with an average weight of 4.5-5 g. They are approximately the same size, slightly pubescent, round-oval in shape, firmly attached to a short stalk. The drupes are large.The berries are collected in large clusters, 20-30 pcs. in each.
The taste of the fruit changes as it ripens. At first they are sour, at the stage of technical ripeness they acquire sweetness and remain dense. When fully ripe, the taste improves, a faint aroma appears, but the berry becomes soft and literally crumbles in your hands.
The tasting score indicated in the State Register is 4 points. Taste ratings for Thornfree blackberries compiled by domestic gardeners give the variety a little more than three points.
Characteristic
The characteristics of Thornfree blackberries are controversial. At one time, this cultivar was one of the best. Until now, the variety occupies vast areas of commercial plantings and grows in many country houses and garden plots. But whether it can compete with other, new blackberries when planting a young garden, everyone decides for themselves.
Main advantages
The winter hardiness of the thornless black blackberry Thornfree is average, although higher than that of the Black Satin variety. Without shelter, it will freeze every year in all regions.
The drought resistance of the Thonfree variety is considered high, but only against the general background. Blackberry culture is moisture-loving and needs regular watering.
It has moderate soil requirements, but grows poorly on sandstones. With timely pruning and gartering on a trellis, caring for the Thornfree variety is easy. The most difficult thing is to cover it for the winter because of the thick, stiff shoots on which fruiting will take place next year.
The lashes of this variety are absolutely devoid of thorns. Berries at the stage of technical ripeness are transported well, but when fully ripe they become so soft that they become impossible to transport.
Flowering period and ripening time
The pink flowers of the Thornfree blackberry in central Russia open in the second half of June. Fruiting is later, spread over a month and a half, depending on the region and weather factors, beginning at the end of August or September.
In areas with short summers, the berries do not have time to fully ripen.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
For a long time, the Thornfree variety was considered the most productive. It annually produces up to 20 kg of berries from an adult bush or 77.8 c/ha on average. This blackberry belongs to late varieties. The period of its fruiting depends on the region of cultivation, weather factors and agricultural technology. In different areas, Thornfree blackberry picking can begin either in late August or late September.
Now new cultivars have appeared, for example, Black Satin is more productive, but less tasty. When comparing the blackberry varieties Thornfree and Chachanska Bestrna, not only high yields are noted, but also high tasting properties of the latter.
Area of application of berries
Thornfree blackberries were developed as an industrial variety. Most of it goes for recycling. Some of the berries at the stage of technical ripeness are supplied to retail chains. Although they have a hard time competing with the sweet, aromatic fruits of modern varieties, Thornfree blackberries have their admirers.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Thonfree blackberries are resistant to diseases and pests. If the berries are overripe, gray rot may appear on them.
Advantages and disadvantages
When considering the strengths and weaknesses of the Thornfree blackberry, it should not be forgotten that it was created as an industrial variety. Its advantages include:
- High productivity.
- Complete absence of thorns.
- Large berries.
- High resistance to heat and drought (compared to other blackberry varieties).
- The bush does not sprout.
- High resistance to pests and diseases.
- Good transportability of Thonfree blackberries at the stage of technical ripeness.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- Average frost resistance.
- The shoots bend poorly and are difficult to tie up and cover for the winter.
- Mediocre fruit taste.
- Late ripening of berries means part of the harvest is lost, especially in the northern regions.
- Overripe fruits cannot be transported.
- If the crop is not harvested on time, gray rot may affect the berries.
Reproduction methods
The Thonfree blackberry variety is easily propagated by green and root cuttings, layering, and pulping (rooting the tops). An adult bush can be divided.
Landing rules
Planting blackberries will not present any difficulties even for novice gardeners. Moreover, the Thornfree variety is thornless and cannot injure your hands.
Recommended timing
In the north, blackberries are planted only in the spring, so that the bush has time to adapt and take root before the onset of frost. In the south - exclusively in autumn, otherwise the sudden heat will destroy the young plant. In other regions, spring planting is recommended, but it can be postponed to early autumn if the weather is usually warm at this time, and frost is at least a month away.
Choosing a suitable location
Blackberries of the Thonfree variety prefer light loams with a slightly acidic reaction. The bush must be protected from cold wind. In the south, blackberries can be in partial shade for part of the day, this will protect the berries from the heat.In temperate climates and in the north, you will have to choose the sunniest place - the Thornfree variety is late; the fruits need a lot of light and heat to ripen.
Soil preparation
There is no need to worry especially about the composition of the soil for planting blackberries. It is not difficult to prepare suitable soil yourself: the top fertile layer removed when digging a planting hole is mixed, humus and starting fertilizers are added (120-150 g of phosphorus, 50 g of potassium). If the soil is too acidic, you need to add lime. If the reaction is alkaline or neutral, red peat is added. On sandstones, more organic matter is added, and on heavy loams, sand is added.
The planting hole is dug with a diameter and depth of 50 cm.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Thonfree blackberries have long been grown in Russia and neighboring countries. There are no problems with planting material; you are unlikely to be deceived with the variety. But the quality of blackberries is of great importance.
Make sure that the root system is well developed and free of damage. You can smell it, the smell should be fresh. Good shoots are elastic, young shoots are green, annual shoots have a cherry tint. The bark should be smooth and the wood underneath should be greenish-white.
Pre-planting preparation of seedlings consists of soaking the root system for about 12 hours or watering the container plant.
Algorithm and landing scheme
Thornfree blackberry seedlings are placed in standard planting at a distance of 1.5-2.0 m from each other, 2.5-3.0 m between rows. On industrial plantations, bushes are compacted. If there is a lot of space in the garden, the distance between the seedlings can be increased - this will make it easier to care for the blackberries.
Planting is carried out in the following sequence:
- The pit is filled 2/3 with the nutrient mixture, filled with water, and allowed to stand for 10-14 days.
- A blackberry seedling is placed in the center on a pre-formed mound, the roots are straightened, and covered with soil. The root collar should be covered by 1.5-2.0 cm.
- The soil is compacted and the blackberries are watered abundantly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch.
Subsequent care of the crop
The first time after planting, Thonfree blackberries need to be watered twice a week, spending at least 5 liters per plant.
Growing principles
The Thornfree blackberry variety must be tied up and shaped by pruning. Its shoots, thick and long, first grow upward and then horizontally. Under the weight of the multi-berry heavy clusters, they sink to the ground. If you don't tie them to a multi-row or T-shaped trellis, most of the crop will end up on the ground. In addition, there is little sunlight below, which will not allow the berries to ripen.
Sometimes the shoots of the current season of Thornfree blackberries are not tied up at all, but laid on the ground and fixed. In winter they are simply covered, and in the spring they are tidied up and raised onto a support.
All this affects productivity. Fruiting will be improved by timely application of fertilizing and timely shelter for the winter.
Necessary activities
The blackberry crop is moisture-loving, although the Thonfree variety is characterized as drought-resistant; in hot weather, the bushes are watered once a week. Loosening is carried out after tying the shoots onto the trellis and before covering them for the winter. The rest of the time, the tree trunk circle is mulched.
They say that Thornfree blackberries bear fruit well without fertilizing, and excellent with fertilizing. But every gardener wants to get the most from every plant he grows. The Thornfree variety bears fruit abundantly; in order for it to actually produce a lot of berries, it needs to be actively fed:
- In the spring, immediately after removing the cover, blackberries are fertilized with nitrogen.
- At the beginning of flowering they give a complete mineral complex that does not contain chlorine.
- After the formation of berries begins until August, the bushes are topped with a solution of mullein infusion (1:10) or green fertilizer (1:4) with the addition of a liter jar of ash per bucket of liquid.
- In August and September, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is given twice.
Blackberries respond very well to foliar feeding, which should be done no more than once every 14 days. If you add a chelate complex to the bottle, the quality of the crop will increase, and the plant will not suffer from chlorosis.
Shrub pruning
Old, fruit-bearing blackberry shoots are cut into rings. They will no longer produce a harvest, and next season they will dry out on their own. If old canes are left, they will simply take water and nutrients from productive shoots and thicken the bush.
Blackberry care Thornfree includes pruning in the spring. Of the well-wintered shoots, 5-6 of the strongest ones are left. Forming and tying up a bush is difficult due to thick, poorly bending branches; pruning is carried out in different ways.
- You can pinch the young shoot at the beginning of growth when it reaches 20-30 cm. It will give several side branches that will be much thinner than the main lash. Such branches are much easier to handle (lift and remove from the support, lay them down for the winter), they bend more easily.
- The shoots are allowed to reach the desired length, then the top is cut off. All side branches are pinched when they reach 40 cm.
- Only heavily grown vines are trimmed.
Preparing for winter
In the fall, just before the onset of frost, the blackberries are removed from the trellis and covered for the winter. By this time, the fruit-bearing shoots should already be removed. It is easiest to bend and cover the stubborn vines of the Thornfree blackberry if it was pruned using the first method described. Thin shoots are simply easier to bend.
Spruce branches, straw, spunbond, agrofibre, and dry soil are used as covering materials. Polyethylene does not allow air to pass through, and the blackberries underneath can dry out, which is even worse than freezing.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Thornfree blackberries rarely get sick; only gray rot can affect overripe berries that are not collected in time. Pests also do not bother this variety. But if you do not feed the plant, it will weaken and become vulnerable. To avoid troubles, you should not plant crops nearby that can “share” diseases with blackberries - raspberries, strawberries, nightshade crops.
Prevention still needs to be carried out - after removing the cover and before preparing the crop for winter, the shoots are treated with copper-containing preparations. During foliar feeding, it is good to add an ampoule of epin or zircon to the fertilizer container.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that many new varieties with a delicious taste have recently appeared, Thornfree blackberries still remain in demand. It is easy to buy in domestic nurseries. High productivity and the absence of thorns can be attributed to the undoubted advantages of the variety.
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