Content
Blackberries are a perennial fruit shrub that has not yet gained wide popularity among gardeners. But, judging by the reviews, interest in this culture is growing every year. After all, its characteristics are in many ways similar to raspberries. And its berries are also tasty and healthy, but have a dark, almost black tint. The growing popularity of the shrub was also facilitated by selection, thanks to which varieties of remontant blackberries appeared, which made it possible to harvest two harvests in one season.
Remontant blackberries appeared relatively recently, in the early 2000s.
Advantages and disadvantages of remontant varieties
Like all fruit shrubs, remontant blackberries have not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Therefore, in order to get a complete picture of this culture, it is important to familiarize yourself with them.
Remontant blackberry is characterized by compact bushes
Main advantages:
- The first harvest ripens already in the year of planting.
- Increased resistance to temperature changes, diseases, and pests.
- Does not require complex preparation for winter.
- The bushes bloom regularly, which increases the decorative value of the plants and the level of pollination of neighboring crops.
- The shoots are directed upwards, the growth diameter is moderate, which facilitates care and promotes close proximity of the bushes.
- The ripened harvest lasts a long time on the shoots, retaining all its commercial qualities.
- The second fruiting period lasts until frost.
- Universal use, excellent berry taste.
- The harvest is suitable for transportation.
Flaws:
- It needs regular watering, since if there is a lack of moisture in the soil, the fruits become smaller and the yield decreases.
- It is demanding on soil composition and reacts poorly to alkaline soil.
- During the fruiting period, the branches of the bush may not withstand the load and lean towards the ground, so trellises need to be installed.
- The berries are poorly separated from the receptacle, which complicates their preparation for processing.
Productive varieties of remontant blackberries
The main feature of remontant blackberries is that they can produce two harvests. The first berries on the bush are formed on last year's shoots, and during repeated fruiting - on the branches of the current year. But among all remontant types of crops, especially productive ones are distinguished.
Among them:
- Giant. The variety is highly frost-resistant and can easily withstand temperatures down to -30 °C. Forms bushes up to 2.5 m high. Berries are elongated to 5 cm, the average weight of each is more than 20 g. The yield per bush is 30 kg per season.The variety requires the installation of a trellis, since the branches cannot withstand the load during the fruiting period.
The giant requires timely, competent pruning
- Amara. A Chilean novelty, which was launched in 2017. It is characterized by large fruit size, average weight is 15 g. It forms bushes up to 2 m with a growth diameter of about 1.5 m.
The taste of the Amara variety is excellent
- Prime Ark 45. The variety was bred by American breeders. Characterized by large, elongated and very sweet berries. The average fruit weight is 7-9 g. The first harvest ripens by the end of June, and the second - at the beginning of September. It is distinguished by powerful shoots that can easily withstand the load. The variety is high-yielding, its berries are suitable for transportation.
The branches of Prime Ark 45 are completely covered with thorns
Thornless varieties of remontant blackberries
Thanks to the efforts of breeders, varieties were obtained whose shoots lack thorns, which is unusual for this crop. This significantly increased the interest of gardeners, and also simplified the care of shrubs and harvesting.
Thornless varieties of remontant blackberries with photos and descriptions:
- Prime-Ark Freedom. The variety was obtained in 2013 in the USA. It is rightfully considered the most delicious of the remontant species. Frost resistance is average, the shrub can withstand temperatures down to -14 °C. The fruits are elongated, weighing 9 g. The yield per bush is 7 kg. The length of its erect shoots reaches 1.7 m.
Prime-Ark Freedom's tasting score is 4.8 points
- Prime-Ark Traveler. The variety was obtained at the University of Arkansas (USA).Characterized by consistently high productivity. The berries have a dense consistency, weighing 7-9 g. Frost resistance down to - 25 ° C. The variety easily tolerates short-term drought.
Prime Ark Traveler requires shelter for the winter
Varieties of remontant blackberries by growing area
Not all remontant blackberry species are able to show good performance in different regions. Therefore, when choosing, you need to give preference to zoned varieties.
Varieties of remontant blackberries for the Moscow region
The climate of this region is characterized by early autumn frosts. Therefore, you should select species that manage to produce a harvest before the onset of cold weather.
Varieties suitable for the Moscow region:
- Prime Jim. American species, obtained in 2004. The shoots are strong, 1.7 m long, completely covered with thorns. The weight of the berries reaches 10 g. The fruits are elongated to 4 cm. The berries have a moderate aroma and taste sweet and sour.
The sugar content in Prime Jim berries reaches 8%
- Black Magic. High-yielding remontant blackberry, which is characterized by excellent taste of the fruit. The sugar concentration in the berries reaches 15%. This species is self-pollinating and easy to care for. Forms upright bushes 1.2-1.5 m high. Average fruit weight is 11-15 g. Productivity per bush reaches 15 kg.
Black Magic is highly resistant to diseases
Varieties of remontant blackberries for central Russia
The climate of this region does not allow obtaining a large number of berries in the autumn, so you should choose species with early and medium ripening.
Among them:
- Black Jam.A new variety that went on sale only in 2017. It is distinguished by erect bushes, the height of which reaches 1.7-1.8 m. The berries are elongated to 4 cm and become black when ripe. The taste of the fruit is excellent. The tasting score is 4.7 points.
Ripe Black Jam fruits have a shiny surface
- Prime Yang (Prime Ja). It is considered the earliest species among remontant blackberries. The first time it bears the harvest at the beginning of summer, and the second time - by the end of August. It is characterized by strong shoots that are completely covered with thorns. The berries are large, weighing up to 158 g, sweet.
The aroma of Prime Yang fruit is similar to apple
Varieties of remontant blackberries for the Urals
This region is characterized by rather harsh climatic conditions. Here there is a winter with severe frosts, a long spring with frequent recurrent frosts, a short summer with rare sunny days and early autumn. Therefore, for growing in the Urals, you should choose early remontant blackberries with increased resistance to adverse factors.
These include:
- Reuben. It is characterized by erect shoots, the length of which reaches 2-2.5 m. After harvesting, the thorns on the branches fall off. The first berries ripen in early July, and re-fruiting occurs at the end of August. The average fruit weight is 10-15 g, their shape is elongated, up to 4.5 cm. Productivity is about 4 kg.
Ruben easily tolerates short-term drought
- Black Cascade. This variety can be grown in hanging pots, which allows you to get a harvest even in the absence of free space for fruit bushes. The plant is characterized by hanging shoots, the length of which reaches 1 m. The first harvest ripens in the second half of June, and the next one at the end of August.The average weight of berries is about 8 g. In the conditions of the Urals, this species is recommended to be grown on balconies and terraces.
Black Cascade is a dessert species
Varieties of remontant blackberries by ripening time
Remontant crop types also differ in terms of ripening time. Early and middle varieties are suitable for growing in central Russia and the Urals, late varieties are suitable only for the southern regions.
Early varieties of remontant blackberries
These types of fruit bushes are characterized by early ripening, which makes it possible to harvest twice even in regions with short summers. But, as a rule, early varieties are less aromatic, and the taste of the berries has a pronounced sourness.
These include:
- Prime Yang;
- Ruben;
- Black Magic;
- Prime Jim.
Mid-season varieties of remontant blackberries
These species bear fruit for the first time in mid-June, and the second time in the first ten days of August. Therefore, they can be grown in regions with a temperate climate, which helps the berries ripen on time.
Medium ripening varieties:
- Giant;
- Prime Ark Freedom;
- Black Cascade;
- Black Jam;
- Prime-Ark Traveler.
Late varieties of remontant blackberries
These types of crops are characterized by late ripening. But at the same time their taste is excellent. They are suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions.
These include:
- Prime Ark 45;
- Amara.
Conclusion
Varieties of remontant blackberries differ in frost resistance, yield and ripening time. To achieve maximum results from them, you need to first study the characteristics of each type.Otherwise, all efforts will be wasted, since if the growing conditions are inappropriate, the plant will not be able to fully develop and produce a harvest.
