Content
Most modern blackberry varieties were created abroad. Our nurseries buy propagation material there to grow seedlings for the domestic market. Gardeners, having read the excellent characteristics of overseas blackberries, chase after new products, and then cannot understand whether they were let down with the variety or got something wrong in the description.
And the box opens simply - the culture has been tested under other conditions. It takes time to find out how this or that new variety, called promising, will behave in our country or in neighboring countries. Blackberries must take root in Russia, enter full fruiting, survive several harsh winters, and suffer from changes in the sharply continental climate. And only then can we draw any conclusions.
The “star” of recent seasons is remontant black thornless variety large blackberry Reuben. It would seem that one phrase contains the main characteristics of culture, except taste. And all of them are very attractive to any gardener. But it's not that simple. Let's figure it out together.
History of selection
The creation of the remontant blackberry Reuben is an example of fruitful collaboration between the University of Arkansas and Hargreaves Plants Ltd, the largest European nursery located in the UK. First, the American breeder, Professor John Reuben Clark crossed in 2005 the highly productive blackberry lines (crosses) APF-44 and 2292T2. Work on the hybrid continued in an English nursery, where in 2006 an HPB3 seedling was selected for further work.
As a result of selection, a high-yielding blackberry variety, Reuben, was obtained, named after Professor Clark. It passed tests and entered the market in 2009. In Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Reuben blackberry variety appeared in 2011-2012.
Description of the berry crop
Blackberry Ruben is a promising large-fruited variety. It can be grown not only as a berry crop, but also to decorate the garden.
General idea of the variety
Ruben blackberries belong to the upright varieties, the so-called brambles. Its shoots can reach from 1.6 to 2.5 m in length. The shape of the bush depends on the feeding area and shaping. With dense plantings and vertical garter of vines, the plant will be compact and take up little space. If the distance between the bushes is left greater than 1.3 m, you can grow powerful, beautiful blackberries.
The shoots of the Ruben variety are straight and do not trail. Young growth is green, annual vines with mature wood are light brown.The shoots along their entire length are covered with thorns, which begin to crumble after the berries ripen. This makes it easier to cover for the winter and harvest.
Side shoots grow in sufficient quantity and are easy to shape. The root system is powerful.
Berries
Ruben blackberries form very large flowers - their diameter exceeds 6 cm. The berries are round-cone-shaped, beautiful, about 4.5 cm in diameter, collected in clusters of 8-10 pieces. The weight of the fruit is impressive - up to 14.5 g, the color is black, with a glossy sheen.
The taste of the berries is sweet, with an appropriate slight sourness and a delicate aroma. The fruits are dense but juicy. Tasting score – 4.5 points. But there is no unity in the reviews of gardeners about the blackberry variety Ruben. They consider the taste excellent, others argue that berries cannot be given more than 3.6 points.
This variety is remontant and, under certain conditions, allows you to harvest two harvests per season.
Characteristic
The characteristics of Ruben blackberries grown in the post-Soviet space will be adjusted, because the variety is one of the newest. But some conclusions can be drawn today. Let us immediately note that there is no consensus on the variety. Some praise it, others scold Reuben and advise urgently replacing it with another blackberry.
Perhaps the negative reviews are due to the fact that the Ruben variety has only its own characteristics. If you do not take them into account, growing this blackberry will not be successful.
Main advantages
The Ruben variety is quite demanding to care for. Its winter hardiness is low; bushes require mandatory shelter even in most of the territory of Ukraine if the crop is grown as a remontant crop. In central Russia, it is better to cut out all the shoots for the winter and be content with one harvest.
The drought resistance of the Reuben variety is also average.This blackberry needs to be watered regularly, especially in the absence of precipitation. Heat resistance is generally low - flowers stop pollinating, which we will discuss below. In addition, the manufacturer advises planting Ruben in partial shade. What this means in our conditions - time and experiments of enthusiasts will show. Perhaps Reuben blackberries simply need to be in the shade part of the day, like hydrangeas. Or maybe it needs to be planted under the canopy of large trees with an openwork crown or artificial structures, so that the growing area resembles an undergrowth.
Ruben blackberries have the same requirements for soil composition as other varieties. Its shoots are covered with thorns, which begin to fall off after the berries ripen. The fruits are dense, do not lose their marketable quality for a long time and are well transported.
Flowering period or what to do with the Ruben variety
Problems with the Ruben blackberry variety begin from the moment the buds open. Let's figure it out step by step.
Temperature and humidity
I would like to say separately about the heat resistance of the Reuben variety. Let's start with the fact that at a temperature of 27-30 degrees, the pollen of this blackberry becomes sterile. In the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine, such heat can begin in May and end in September.
It turns out that where it is hot in summer, ovaries may not appear on young growth at all. When growing the Ruben variety as a once-bearing crop, mass flowering begins in June. If you save last year's shoots to obtain two harvests, the buds on young shoots will open even later.
In addition, at the time of pollination, high air humidity is needed. Of course, it can be created artificially, including fog-forming installations or by stretching special nets that stabilize ultraviolet radiation.But does everyone have them? And does it make sense to buy and install additional expensive equipment if there are enough blackberry varieties that do not have problems with pollination?
Is the Ruben variety remontant?
In the northern regions, the second harvest simply does not have time to ripen. So growing Ruben blackberries in the Moscow region, for example, as a remontant crop does not make sense. The largest harvest can be harvested only by mowing the shoots to the roots in the winter, and harvesting from the current year's growth.
The findings are disappointing. It is impossible to grow Reuben blackberries in open ground as a remontant crop. In the north, due to the fact that the second harvest will go away before winter. In the south, you can only be guaranteed to get berries from last season’s shoots. During the annual growth period, pollination may not occur at all. This means that if you grow Reuben blackberries as remontant ones, you will get half the harvest. If you cut off all the vines for the winter, you risk finding yourself completely without berries.
conclusions
So what's the deal? Have breeders from two countries - the USA and Great Britain - jointly developed a variety that is no good? After all, if you grow Ruben blackberries only in temperate and cold climates as a once-bearing crop, what to do with its low resistance to frost? And why does it need maintenance?
And everything is extremely simple. The variety is intended for closed ground - only there the Reuben blackberry will fully reveal its potential. In the greenhouse, the lighting can be adjusted, the temperature can be adjusted as needed, and the humidity can be increased.
Other gardeners can experiment with the Ruben blackberry variety on their site. By trial and error, you can create acceptable conditions if desired. It’s a pity that so far there is little experience in adapting this variety.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
The Ruben variety is classified as remontant. This means that the first harvest from last year’s shoots begins in mid-June and is completed by the end of July. The second ripens by early autumn on young growth. In the northern regions, most of it will not have time to keep up. In greenhouses, Ruben blackberries can begin to bear fruit (depending on agricultural technology) from mid-April to May inclusive.
The variety can also be grown in a crop that produces a harvest once per season. At the same time, Reuben blackberries are pruned at the root in the fall, which avoids the labor-intensive covering of shoots for the winter. The harvest ripens in mid-summer using the current year's growth. In the southern regions, flowers may not be fertilized due to high temperature and low humidity - essential conditions for successful pollination.
The authors of the Ruben variety claim that this blackberry is very prolific. But most domestic sources indicate that in open ground one bush produces up to 3.5 kg of berries, in closed ground - about 5.5 kg. And is this high yield? But what about 20-25 kg per bush? True, you can collect 30 tons of berries per hectare.
In fact, everything is simple - Reuben blackberries can produce 3.5-5.5 kg per bush in the first year of fruiting. Further more. By the way, in the first year after planting, it is recommended to pluck off all flowers so that the root system develops well - the key to future abundant harvests.
Area of application of berries
Reuben blackberries can be eaten fresh, frozen, or used to make wine and winter supplies. The fruits are well stored and can withstand transportation.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Like any blackberry, the hybrid variety Reuben is highly resistant to pests and diseases. This does not cancel preventive treatments, especially in closed ground conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Reviews from domestic gardeners about the Ruben variety are contradictory - from admiring to abusive. Time will judge who is right - this blackberry has not yet had time to show all its advantages and disadvantages. However, the positive qualities include:
- Good berry taste.
- Remontability of the variety.
- The ability to grow crops without shelter for the winter - cutting out shoots at the root.
- High transportability of berries.
- Reuben blackberries are beautiful and large - up to 14.5 g each.
Unfortunately, listing the shortcomings will take up more space:
- Low frost resistance.
- Ruben blackberries are pollinated only at temperatures below 27-30⁰ C and high humidity.
- The inability to grow the variety in regions with cold and temperate climates as a remontant variety due to the late second fruiting.
- Upright blackberries (bush) are difficult to cover for the winter.
- The shoots have thorns, although they fall off when the berries ripen.
- The need to shade the bushes.
- Propagation of this variety is difficult.
All these disadvantages, except for the existence of thorns and problems with reproduction, do not matter when growing Ruben blackberries in closed ground conditions.
Reproduction methods
Unlike other varieties, propagation of remontant blackberries Ruben is difficult. Amateurs can plant a few shoots or divide an overgrown bush.Cuttings in open ground do not lead to success, but indoors you need to use greenhouses, growth hormones and phytolamps. It is problematic to propagate brambles by layering and pulping due to their erect, powerful shoots.
Landing rules
The Reuben variety reaches its full potential indoors. But few gardeners grow this crop in greenhouses. We will describe planting and caring for Ruben blackberries in summer cottages and garden plots.
Recommended timing
In the southern regions, Reuben blackberries are planted in the fall, when temperatures drop to moderate, but no later than a month before the onset of frost. This way the culture will have time to take root. During spring planting, sudden heat can destroy the seedling.
In temperate climates and in the north, blackberries are planted when the soil warms up. Long spring and moderate summer contribute to good survival of the bush.
Choosing a suitable location
Unlike other varieties, Reuben blackberries prefer partial shade, especially in the south. But the lack of sunlight prevents the berries from ripening. So the place needs to be chosen carefully.
Groundwater should not come closer to the surface than 1 m. The soil requirements for the Reuben variety are the same as for other blackberries: slightly acidic reaction, light loams, a large amount of organic matter.
Soil preparation
It is advisable to dig planting holes in advance, measuring 50x50x50 cm. The nutrient mixture is prepared from the top fertile layer of soil, a bucket of humus and starting fertilizers (potassium - 50 g, phosphorus - 120-15 g). Add acidic (red) peat to alkaline or neutral soil.Too dense clay soils are improved with sand, while carbonate soils are improved with additional doses of organic matter. Lime is added to overly acidic soil.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
The Ruben variety is a new product; it must be purchased directly from the nursery or from trusted retail chains. With your hands you will most likely buy some other blackberry. A varietal feature is the light gray bark on adult shoots.
The root system should be well developed and smell like fresh soil. Smooth, flexible and smooth shoots are a sign of healthy blackberries.
Pre-planting preparation involves watering the container plant or soaking the exposed root for 12 hours.
Algorithm and landing scheme
For Ruben blackberries, both sparse (1-1.3 m between plants) and compacted (0.8 m) planting is possible. The rows should be 2 m apart from each other.
The dug planting hole is filled 2/3 full with a fertile mixture and filled with water. After 10-14 days you can start planting:
- Place an earthen mound in the middle of the hole and spread the blackberry roots around it.
- Fill and compact the fertile mixture so as to deepen the neck by 1.5-2 cm.
- Water the blackberries, spending at least 10 liters per bush.
- Mulch the soil.
Subsequent care of the crop
Reuben blackberries need to be cared for carefully, especially in open ground. This is a new variety that has a number of features that need to be taken into account when growing.
Growing principles
Despite the fact that the Ruben blackberry belongs to the brambles - erect varieties with powerful shoots, an adult bush needs a garter. In the first year after planting, the plant can do without a trellis.
In the third year, the Ruben variety comes into full force, its shoots grow to 2-2.5 m and bend under the weight of flowers and berries. It is not good if part of the harvest ends up on the ground.For gartering, you can use any trellis: multi-row, T, E or V-shaped.
Yields are influenced by many factors, from agricultural practices to weather conditions. Good fruiting can be achieved only if all recommendations are followed, which is most easily achieved in closed ground conditions.
In order to speed up fruiting in open ground by 10-14 days, in early spring arcs are installed over the blackberries or simply covered with white agrofibre until the shoots reach half a meter in height.
Necessary activities
The first time after planting, the bush needs to be watered twice a week, spending at least 5 liters of water on each plant. Blackberries are generally a moisture-loving crop, but the Reuben variety is not particularly drought-resistant.
In the spring, immediately after removing the cover, the crop is fed with nitrogen. At the beginning of flowering they provide a complete mineral complex. During the period of berry formation, blackberries are fertilized with a solution of mullein infusions (1:10) or herbs (1:4). In autumn, potassium monophosphate gives good results. Foliar feeding with the addition of chelates is useful for blackberries. In hot weather, the Ruben variety is recommended to be sprayed alternately with epin and zircon every 10-14 days.
To increase humidity and retain water in the soil, it is recommended to mulch the soil under the bushes with acidic peat. You need to loosen the soil in spring and autumn. A layer of mulch in the summer will not only increase humidity, but also prevent germination weed.
Shrub pruning
If the Reuben variety is grown as a crop that bears fruit once, all shoots are cut out before wintering. In the spring, new canes will appear, on which the harvest will ripen.
An adult Ruben blackberry bush is formed, leaving 6-7 shoots.You don’t need to pinch them - with sufficient feeding, side branches are already formed in sufficient quantities. Throughout the season, sanitary pruning is carried out - broken, weak or dried sections of the vines are removed.
Preparing for winter
If the Reuben blackberry variety is grown as a once-fruiting crop and all shoots are cut off before winter, it will be enough to place an earthen mound above the root. This is how roses are covered in southern and temperate climates.
In order for the variety to show remontability, before the onset of frost, the shoots are removed from the trellis, last year's ones are cut out, and the current season's growth is tied up, tilted to the ground, and secured. You can arrange a tunnel shelter or use spruce branches, straw, agrofibre and dry soil for insulation.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
The Ruben variety is rarely affected by diseases or pests. Preventive treatments should be carried out in spring and autumn with copper-containing preparations. Greenhouses have their own treatment system, different from open ground, you need to adhere to it. But there is no danger that proximity to other crops (raspberries, strawberries, nightshades) will transmit unwanted diseases to blackberries.
The crop often suffers from chlorosis, and it lacks iron. It is best to replenish the deficiency of this element by spraying the bush with chelates.
Conclusion
Reuben blackberries are the newest variety that is causing a lot of controversy. Whether to plant it on the site, or wait for more balanced reviews on growing it in our conditions, everyone decides for themselves.A video about Ruben blackberries will help you get to know the variety better, just don’t forget that this is another opinion that has not been tested by time:
I grow Ruben blackberries in Siberia, they have been bearing fruit for the second year, very plentifully, I cut them out before winter at the very root, I don’t put much insulation, I just throw on a little tops from the garden, then sprinkle them with snow and that’s it. It grows strongly, I prune and sprinkle the cut branches with moist soil, they take root and begin to grow and can be replanted next year. So it is not afraid of frost, its survival rate is strong and unpretentious to the soil, it grows in acidic soil, and bears fruit with a bang.