Content
Blackberries are not so often seen in Russian gardens, but lately this crop has begun to gain more and more popularity and is becoming in demand. One of the varieties that gardeners can grow in their gardens is called Chief Joseph. It will be useful for those who are interested in this crop to learn about this blackberry, its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the method of cultivation.
History of selection
The Cheif Joseph blackberry is an American variety developed at the University of Arkansas, like many varieties of the series to which it belongs. It is named after the leader who became famous for leading one of the Indian wars at the end of the 19th century.The origin of the variety has not been precisely established, so the parent plants are not known for certain.
Description of the berry crop
Blackberries belong to the genus Rubus (Raspberry) of the Rosaceae family. It is a subshrub with flexible stems, with or without thorns. The leaves are trifoliate, similar to crimson, but larger. The berries are first green, then successively acquire a brownish, red, dark blue color, and finally, when fully ripe, they become black and purple. It is for the sake of these large sweet fruits that blackberries are grown by farmers on an industrial scale and by amateur gardeners on their private plots.
General idea of the variety
The Chief Joseph blackberry has a powerful bush with strong shoots that grow up to 3-4 m. There are no thorns on them, which is typical for all varieties included in the line of American varieties from the University of Arkansas. The bush is characterized by strong growth, strong semi-creeping shoots that can withstand the load of berries and do not break. The leaves are medium in size, bright green, there are many of them on the bush, so they form lush greenery. The flowers are white, large. The root system is powerful, nourishes well and keeps the plant in the ground. There is little growth, often it appears only after damage to the roots.
Berries
The berries of the Chief Joseph blackberry variety are large - up to 25 g, rounded-elongated, shiny, bright black, collected in numerous clusters. Their taste is sweet, with virtually no acid. It resembles wild blackberries, the aroma is pronounced. Gardeners note that the very first berries picked from young bushes (the so-called signalki) are often mediocre. But, starting from the next season, their taste becomes brighter and more characteristic of the variety. There are a lot of berries on the bush, fruiting is abundant.Ripe blackberries have good density, so they can be transported over long distances.
Characteristic
Chief Joseph blackberries are considered remontant, that is, they are capable of producing 2 harvests per season. This attracts many gardeners who choose this variety for cultivation.
Main advantages
According to the characteristics of the variety remontant blackberry Chief Joseph it tolerates drought and heat well and is perfectly adapted to various weather and climatic conditions in Russia. The plants are unpretentious in care, resistant to major diseases, and also do not have any special requirements for the soil. The shoots need shelter for the winter, but due to the fact that they are semi-creeping, they are easy to lay and cover.
Flowering period and ripening time
Blackberries of this variety in the central zone ripen by early August. In the southern regions - by the end of July. According to this indicator, Chief Joseph is almost on par with the famous Triple Crown variety, even slightly ahead of it.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
The yield of the remontant Chief Joseph blackberry is very high - an adult 3-4-year-old bush produces as much as 35 kg of berries. But this volume may vary depending on the correct cultivation and formation, nutrition of the plant, and the load on it. You can collect berries within 5-6 weeks.
Area of application of berries
Ripe Chief Joseph blackberries can be eaten fresh, and you can also make all kinds of sweet homemade preparations from them: jams, compotes, preserves. Due to the fact that the fruits are dense, they can be stored in a cold place for some time and transported for sale.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Blackberries of this variety are considered resistant to diseases and pests, so they can be grown without treatment with agrochemicals. If they do appear, then standard treatments with common fungicides or insecticides will be quite sufficient for cure.
Advantages and disadvantages
Blackberry Chief Joseph has the following advantages:
- strong shoot growth;
- rapid growth of the bush;
- powerful lateral branching.
The plants begin to bear fruit early and are highly productive, producing large, sweet berries.
The disadvantages of this generally wonderful variety include:
- dull taste of the first berries;
- low sugar content in them during heavy rainfall;
- There are many replacement shoots, which makes caring for the bushes somewhat more difficult.
Reproduction methods
Chief Joseph blackberry propagation is carried out rooting shoots and cuttings. In the first case, when the shoots reach a length of 1.5-2 m, their tops are placed in grooves dug near the bush and covered with earth, without separating them from the mother plant. The soil is kept moist until rooting. In the fall, the cuttings are dug up and transplanted to a new location.
Young shoots of Chief Joseph blackberries can also be used for cuttings. To do this, take their upper parts and cut into sections with one bud. They are planted in cups filled with fertile soil. The containers are placed in a greenhouse, where they take root.
Landing rules
It is no secret that for successful growth and development of blackberries, they must be planted correctly. This will guarantee that the variety will grow well and show all its productivity.
Recommended timing
It is better to plant Chief Joseph blackberry seedlings in the spring rather than in the fall, so that the young plants do not freeze, especially if the winter is snowless or very cold.
Soil preparation
Preparing the soil for blackberries consists of digging it up, leveling it, and making planting holes. 5-6 kg of humus, 50 g of potassium fertilizers and 100-150 g of superphosphate are added to each. The fertilizer is mixed with soil and the holes are filled with this mixture to 2/3 of their volume.
Choosing a suitable location
Chief Joseph blackberries grow best in a sunny location. but it can also be planted in partial shade. But a complete absence of light is not allowed - this will affect the quality of the berries. The planting site can be open, but you can also place the bushes near buildings and fences.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Chief Joseph blackberry seedlings, 1 or 2 years old, must be healthy, well developed, with fresh young foliage, not lethargic, without damage, traces of diseases and pests on the shoots and roots. It is better to purchase them in specialized nurseries where good varietal material is grown. Before planting, plant roots are soaked in a solution of a root formation stimulator for better survival.
Algorithm and landing scheme
Planting holes for vigorous blackberries Leader Joseph are made at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other, 2.5 m between rows. Their depth and diameter should not be less than 0.6 m. Drainage and a mixture of fertilizers are poured into the holes, a layer of earth is added on top, on which the plant is installed. After this, the seedling is covered with fertile soil up to the root collar, and the soil is mulched with peat, humus, straw, hay, and sawdust. After planting, shoots are cut off, leaving pieces with 1-2 buds above the ground. The bush is watered abundantly.
Subsequent care of the crop
After planting the seedlings, the plants require certain care throughout the growing season. It consists of watering, loosening, fertilizing, pruning and harvesting.
Growing principles
Blackberries of the Chief Joseph variety are grown on a trellis, for which high supports are installed along the edges of the bed with bushes and wire is pulled. Shoots are tied to it individually or in bunches. You can also grow plants by leaving the shoots to spread along the ground, but then they are cut off at a height of 2-2.5 m.
Necessary activities
Blackberries of the Chief Joseph variety are considered drought-resistant, so they do not require frequent watering, especially if a mulch covering of sawdust, peat, hay, straw, last year's leaves, and mown grass is laid on the ground. If it is not there, then after watering the soil needs to be loosened. The bushes are fed with complex fertilizers in the spring, before flowering begins and before fruits begin to set on the bushes.
Shrub pruning
In the spring, the growing branches of the Chief Joseph blackberry are cut off when they reach a height of 2.5 m, the lateral branches growing on them - 1 m. The shoots of the first order are tied to the upper trellis, the second order - to the lower wire. In the fall, all branches that have finished bearing fruit are cut off at the root, leaving only young shoots.
Preparing for winter
Every season growing blackberries Chief Joseph ends up sheltering her for the winter. The shoots are removed from the trellis, tied together, laid on the ground, wrapped in insulating material and sprinkled with another layer of earth on top. In spring the cover is removed.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
This blackberry is characterized by good health, so it can be grown without fear that the bushes will suffer from diseases.However, there is information that spider mites can settle on plants - if this happens, they are treated with pest control drugs.
Conclusion
The Chief Joseph blackberry variety, interesting in its characteristics, can be recommended to lovers of this crop as an early ripening and productive one. With proper care, it can delight the gardener with tasty large berries for more than one season in a row.
Reviews
Reviews of Chief Joseph blackberries from gardeners are mostly positive.
