Content
The United States is a leader in industrial growing blackberries. It is there that its best varieties are created. Unfortunately, domestic selection does not pay due attention to this wonderful crop. The American blackberry variety Black Magic is considered one of the best.
History of selection
The Black Magic blackberry variety was created at Oregon State University in 2003. The authors were James Moore and John Clark. Black Magic – hybrid Arapahoe blackberries and number grade APF-12. Its tests took place in the states of Arkansas and Carolina. In fact, this is a numbered variety, in the patent it is listed as APF 77 form, and Black Magic is nothing more than a beautiful trade name.
Description of the berry crop
Remontant blackberry Black Magic is a typical bramble.Domestic gardeners note that the crop is remarkable not only for its consumer qualities and resistance to adverse factors. The variety is very decorative and decorates the garden from spring to late autumn.
General idea of the variety
Black Magic blackberries grow quickly and form a medium dense bush. If formed in a timely and correct manner, it will be neat and compact. The shoots, like all brambles, grow straight. Last year's ones reach 2.5 m, annual ones - 1.5 m. Already a month after the start of the growing season, young vines reach a meter.
There are thorns on the shoots, but not many. In the fruiting zone, spines are rare, and on fruiting branches (fruit branches) they are absent. This variety of Black Magic compares favorably with other remontant blackberries, which are characterized by the presence of sharp aggressive thorns along the entire length of the shoot.
Black Magic is capable of producing 5-10 replacement shoots (root suckers) per year. Their number depends on the power of the bush. To obtain a large number of shoots, the blackberry root system is specially damaged with a shovel bayonet.
Berries
Black Magic blackberries form large, up to 4 cm in diameter, white flowers. The manufacturer of the variety declares in the description that they are collected 6 or 7 in bunches. Perhaps in North American conditions this is true, but here, and with good care, flowers are grouped in groups of 5-12 pieces.
Black Magic blackberries are large, black, and glossy. They have a beautiful shape of an elongated oval or cone and a dense cap. The weight of one berry is 6-7 g.
The taste is excellent, its tasting score is 5 points. The variety is considered dessert and one of the sweetest.The aroma is strong, blackberry. Experts distinguish notes of black currant in it. Good taste is achieved not because of sweetness (there are varieties that are superior to Black Magic blackberries in this regard), but because of the excellent balance of sugar and acid.
This variety is self-fertile. It is pollinated by its own pollen and does not necessarily require planting nearby other representatives of the crop.
Characteristic
The remontant blackberry variety Black Magic has been grown in the countries of the former Soviet Union for enough time for domestic gardeners to form their own opinion about it. Let's say right away that the reviews are mostly from very good to excellent. A certain fly in the ointment is added to the chorus of praise by gardeners who do not fully understand the characteristics of the variety.
We will try not only to talk about growing Black Magic blackberries, but also to consider the most common mistakes.
Main advantages
The Black Magic variety managed to show itself well when grown in Russia, but fully revealed its potential in the southern regions. It is recommended for open and closed ground - greenhouses, film tunnels.
Black Magic blackberries adapt well to different climates and soils. Its drought resistance is high. Just don’t think that the variety can grow without watering, especially in the south.
Mistake #1. The characteristics of the Black Magic blackberry variety as drought-tolerant only mean that it needs less watering than other varieties. The culture is moisture-loving and needs water in large quantities.
In the southern regions, Black Magic blackberries set a second harvest even at high temperatures (29-32⁰ C).Other remontant varieties do not pollinate in such heat or produce few small berries that can dry out before reaching maturity.
The frost resistance of Black Magic blackberries is low - 12-13 degrees. Wherever it is grown, the bush will have to be insulated for the winter.
The shoots of the Black Magic variety are covered with rare, not very sharp thorns. They are few in number in fruit-bearing areas. Fruit branches are generally devoid of spines.
Mistake #2. Sometimes gardeners who have never grown blackberries before plant the Black Magic variety. After reading the description, they expect that the plant’s thorns will be like those of raspberries. Facing reality can cost a few drops of blood and disappointment in the brand. Before criticizing Black Magic, we advise you to “get acquainted” with the thorns of other remontant blackberries.
The transportability of Black Magic berries is assessed by the originator as average. In our conditions it is much higher. It is possible that local conditions affect the consistency of Black Magic blackberries. In America, one of the disadvantages is that some fruits turn red during storage.
Flowering period and ripening time
Black Magic blackberries are characterized by early awakening and abundant flowering. The first buds on last year's shoots open by the end of April or beginning of May (depending on the region). On the current year's growth, flowering begins in late June or early July.
Black Magic remontant blackberry. This means that it can produce two harvests per year. The first is on last year's shoots at the beginning of summer, the second is on young growth and ripens, depending on the region, by the end of summer or beginning of autumn.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
In the first year after planting, the Black Magic blackberry variety produces 3-4 kg of berries on last year’s shoots, and from 200 g to 1 kg on young growth. Subsequently, the yield of early and late periods levels out and increases to 8-9 kg per bush.
The Black Magic blackberry variety can be grown as a non-remontant crop. To do this, some gardeners generally cut out all the vines at the root in the fall and get one harvest. It ripens on the shoots of the current year, and earlier than if the blackberry bore fruit twice.
The blackberry harvest period has been extended. Fruiting usually lasts about one and a half months. Black Magic blackberries are well adapted to our conditions and are able to set berries even at the peak of the heat.
In open ground, with two harvests, the first fruiting occurs at the end of June - July, the second - from the end of August. When growing Black Magic blackberries as a crop that yields only from the current year's growth, the berries begin to ripen at the end of July.
In closed ground, the first harvest is harvested in May.
Mistake #3. Wanting to harvest two harvests, residents of regions with cool climates grow Black Magic blackberries as remontants. As a result, some of the berries do not have time to ripen. The harvest turns out to be meager - for dessert blackberries it is already small compared to more acidic varieties. Gardeners forget that the total weight of Black Magic berries collected during the season will be the same whether you grow the crop as a remontant or a one-time fruiting crop.
What can you recommend? If you live in the south or grow blackberries indoors, harvest two crops.Residents of the northern regions should think about whether they need a remontant variety? Isn't it better to collect one but abundant harvest of sweet dessert berries?
Area of application of berries
Black Magic blackberries are the most delicious. This is the opinion of most gardeners who have experience in growing crops. They are best eaten fresh. If you have several bushes, then the jam, juice or wine will be aromatic, healthy and more tasty than those made from raspberries.
The shelf life of Black Magic blackberries in cool conditions is up to three days.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Black Magic blackberries are resistant to pests and most diseases. In particular, it is extremely rarely affected by brown rust, but is moderately affected by anthracnose.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Black Magic blackberries are undeniable. This wonderful variety has shown itself well when grown in different regions of Russia and neighboring countries. It should be noted:
- The Black Magic variety is remontant. But in the northern regions it can be grown as a one-time fruiting plant.
- Good berry taste, rated 5 points.
- Possibility of growing in open and closed ground.
- Drought resistance - berries set even at high temperatures.
- High adaptability of the variety to unfavorable growing conditions.
- Resistance to diseases and pests.
- When growing the variety as a once-bearing crop, the bush does not need to be covered for the winter.
- For a dessert variety, the productivity of Black Magic blackberries is high.
- Fruiting occurs not only on last year's growth, but also on the shoots of the current season.
- The crop has few thorns, and the fruit formations are generally devoid of thorns.
The variety has some disadvantages, but they are insignificant and cannot outweigh the advantages:
- Insufficient winter hardiness.
- Although there are few thorns, they are still there.
- It is impossible to grow Black Magic blackberries in the northern regions as a remontant crop - most of the fruits of the second harvest do not have time to ripen.
- The shoots of the variety are powerful and do not bend well - it is difficult to remove them from the support and cover them for the winter.
Reproduction methods
Elite varieties of blackberries are expensive and sell out quickly. This is due to the fact that the culture in Russia was not widespread before, but now its merits are appreciated. Independent cultivation of blackberries, especially brambles, which includes the Black Magic variety, is not difficult.
- The easiest way is to plant root suckers. To increase their number, the blackberry root is deliberately damaged with a shovel bayonet.
- You can dig in a layer. It will take root quickly.
- Pulping (propagation by shoot tips) also gives good results.
- Cuttings take root well.
- You can divide an adult, well-grown bush.
- The largest number of plants can be obtained independently by using root cuttings for propagation.
Landing rules
Black Magic blackberries are planted in the same way as other varieties. It is important to choose a suitable place and buy a good seedling.
Recommended timing
In the south, it is recommended to plant blackberries in the fall, or at least in early spring.
Mistake #4. If it says “as a last resort,” it means it is undesirable. Suppose you were given a seedling in the spring, don’t throw it away. Or a neighbor decided to remove the growth after the snow melts, and the choice is this: the plant will end up on your plot or on the compost heap. Then it's worth taking the risk. But southerners should not buy blackberries in the spring - there is a high probability that they simply will not take root.
In northern regions and temperate climates, the crop is planted in the fall.
Choosing a suitable location
Blackberries need a sunny place protected from the wind. Groundwater should not come closer than 1-1.5 m to the surface. The Black Magic variety is remontant; in the southern regions, during repeated flowering and fruiting, it may need shading.
Blackberry is a moisture-loving crop. This must be taken into account when planting, as well as the fact that its roots lie deeper than those of raspberries, and stagnation of water is unacceptable.
The Black Magic variety is more adaptable to different soils than other blackberries. But still, he prefers to grow on loam with a slightly acidic soil reaction, generously flavored with organic matter.
Soil preparation
The planting pit is prepared in advance. It is better to dig it up at least 2 weeks before planting the blackberries. Since the roots of this crop go quite deep, the size of the hole should be approximately 50x50x50 cm. The fertile top layer of soil is mixed with a bucket of humus, phosphorus (120-150 g) and potassium (40-50 g) fertilizers. Sand is added to dense soil, lime is added to excessively acidic soil, and acidic (red) peat is added to alkaline soil.
The planting hole is filled ¾ full with fertile mixture and filled with water.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
To get a good, productive plant, you need to approach the choice of planting material responsibly. First of all, pay attention to the root system. It should be well developed, with 2-3 thick shoots and a large number of fibrous roots, similar to matted hairs.
When purchasing seedlings in the fall, the wood of the shoots should be well matured, without cracks or wrinkles. Spring bushes may have thin green branches, especially if propagation was carried out not by root suckers or division of an adult plant, but by cuttings.
Pre-planting preparation for blackberries involves watering the container plant or soaking the exposed root system for 12 hours.
Algorithm and landing scheme
After you have prepared the planting hole and let it settle, proceed in the following sequence:
- In the center of the depression, form a mound of soil, place the blackberries on it, and straighten the roots.
- Fill the hole with the nutrient mixture so that the root collar is covered with 1.5-2 cm of soil.
- Compact the soil well.
- Water the bush, using at least a bucket of water per plant.
- Trim the ripened shoots, leaving 14-20 cm (some sources advise shortening blackberries to 3-5 cm).
- Mulch acidic soil with humus, alkaline or neutral soil with acidic peat.
When planting several bushes, the distance between plants should be 1.0-1.5 m, in rows - 2.5-3.0 m.
Subsequent care of the crop
The first time after planting, blackberries will need regular watering. Use no less than 0.5 buckets per plant.
Growing principles
The Black Magic blackberry variety needs staking. If you grow it as a remontant crop, you will need a T-shaped or multi-row trellis about 2.5 m high. Last year's growth should be tied evenly on one side, and young growth on the other.
If the Black Magic variety is grown as a one-time fruiting crop, the support can be made simpler. It should be such that it is easy to first tie up young shoots and then harvest.
Fruiting is affected by fertilizing the crop, pruning, and when growing a variety that ripens in two terms, shelter for the winter.
Necessary activities
Blackberries love moist soil, but overwatering will not do it any good. Most water is needed during flowering and fruit formation. In the fall, be sure to do moisture recharging - it will help the plant to overwinter better.
If the soil was well fertilized before planting, in the first three years you can limit yourself to applying nitrogen in early spring. Then, during the flowering period, blackberries are given a full mineral complex, and in the fall - phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. The Black Magic variety is remontant and bears fruit abundantly. In summer you need to do foliar feeding. Since blackberries often suffer from chlorosis, chelates must be added to the fertilizer bottle.
It is better to replace weeding with mulching, but after harvesting it is advisable to loosen the soil by 5-8 cm.
Shrub pruning
A special feature of the Black Magic variety is that it is able to bear fruit on the growth of the current season. This blackberry can be grown as a one-time crop, which is justified in regions with a cool climate and short summers. In this case, at the end of the season, all shoots are cut off at ground level.
In the south and when growing crops indoors at the end of autumn, last year's shoots are completely cut into rings, and young shoots are shortened to about one and a half meters. Next spring, 7-10 well-overwintered branches are left. Growing side shoots are shortened, leaving no more than 50 cm. This contributes to the formation of a large number of fruit branches. For the same purpose, young shoots that will bear fruit in the fall and next summer, as soon as they reach a length of 0.9-1.2 m, are shortened by cutting off 10 cm of the top.
Preparing for winter
If you are growing Black Magic blackberries as a one-time crop, prune them at the root in the fall. Some people simply mow down the bushes. Cover the planting with a thick layer of humus and forget about it until spring. When the snow starts to melt, don’t forget to open the bushes.
It is difficult to cover the Black Magic variety grown as a remontant crop. This blackberry has powerful, unruly shoots that are reluctant to be removed from the trellis and bend poorly. And yet it will have to be done. Then the branches are fixed to the ground and covered with spruce branches or agrofibre, sprinkled with a 10-12 cm layer of soil.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
Blackberries are generally more resistant to diseases and pests than their closest relative, raspberries. The Black Magic variety is no exception, but it is sometimes affected by anthracnose. To reduce the likelihood of this disease occurring, locate your garden beds away from blackberries. This is especially true for nightshade crops and strawberries.
In order to prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases, immediately after removing the cover and before winter, treat blackberries with a copper-containing preparation.
Conclusion
Black Magic blackberry variety is one of the best. In the south and indoors it can be grown as an industrial plant. In cool climates it has proven to be an excellent crop for private gardens.
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