Content
The Auchita blackberry is most often found in the middle zone, where it is characterized as an unpretentious and prolific plant. Among owners of industrial plantations, the variety is valued for its marketable appearance and abundant yield.
History of selection
The specialists who have achieved success in developing a new variety are scientists from the University of Arkansas. Positive results of the work were recorded in 1990. The parents of the Auchita variety are Navajo blackberry and Arc-1506. But the first samples, although productive, had a number of disadvantages. As a result of breeding activities, Woshito blackberries received characteristic features: the ripening period was reduced, and the shoots became thornless.
External description of blackberries of the Auchita variety
The shoots of the plant are very powerful and smooth. Compared to other varieties, Auchita blackberries have thick branches that can bend to the ground and break off under the weight of the berries.It should be borne in mind that the flexibility of the shoots is enough to easily bend them for shelter from winter frosts.
The branches of an adult Auchita blackberry bush reach 1.5 m in length, but none of them have thorns.
The variety is distinguished by its vitality and ease of care, quickly gaining green mass, which is its undoubted advantage. But gardeners and industrial growers are drawn to the yield of Auchita's blackberries. The berries have a pronounced, dessert taste, with a pleasant aftertaste. According to various opinions, it resembles currants or cherries.
Auchita blackberries have a high sugar content, so the sourness is not noticeable when tasting. The seeds are small and almost unnoticeable. The flesh is juicy and elastic inside, covered with pearlescent black skin on the outside.
According to the tasting assessment, Auchita blackberries were rated seven points
Ripe berries are great for jam and compotes, freezing. They can be added to fruit salads and baked goods, fruit drinks.
Characteristics of blackberry Auchita
When choosing a variety for a plot, gardeners focus not only on the appearance of the fruit, but also on the characteristics of the plant. Before purchasing a seedling, you should make sure that it will not only bear fruit, but will generally take root and grow on the site.
Ripening time and yield
The variety is usually classified as a mid-early variety: the harvest can be harvested from mid-June. It should be taken into account that in the northern regions a shift in ripening dates by 1-2 weeks is not excluded.The variety continues to bear fruit for two months, which is a record for thornless blackberry hybrids.
The weight of each berry is 4-6 g, individual specimens can grow up to 10 g. It should be taken into account that the size of the fruit does not become smaller by the end of the harvest.
The yield of Auchita blackberries is up to 30 kg per bush
Frost resistance
The variety does not have high winter hardiness. Without shelter, the shrub can withstand temperatures down to -17 °C. In more unfavorable climatic conditions, the plant must be covered for the winter. It should be borne in mind that young seedlings are more sensitive to low temperatures than adult specimens.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Auchita variety has a strong immune system and is not afraid of most diseases. If the rules of agricultural technology are violated, anthracnose and rust may develop.
Most often, signs of the disease can be noticed if wet and cool weather persists in the region for a long time. Anthracnose appears on all parts of the plant: the leaves are covered with a gray-violet coating with cracks. Gradually, the bark peels off on the branches. The shoots gradually dry out and die. The fruits of the affected bush also do not ripen and fall off.
For the treatment of anthracnose, the use of fungicides is recommended: Vectra, Quadris
Another dangerous disease for Auchita blackberries is rust. The fungus affects the shoots and leaves of the bush. This can be determined by the orange spots on the bush.
As rust progresses, the plant slows down its growth, the leaves become deformed, and the shoots dry out. If no measures are taken, the yield gradually decreases, and then the berries begin to fall off along with the leaves. Without treatment, the bush dies within two years.It should be borne in mind that in the early stages of development the disease is easy to eliminate. In advanced stages, it is difficult to destroy the fungus.
Preparations such as Bordeaux mixture or Fundazol help prevent rust on Auchita blackberries.
Advantages and disadvantages of Auchita blackberries
The variety can be grown by both ordinary gardeners and plantation owners who cultivate the plant for the purpose of selling the crop.
A characteristic feature of Auchita blackberries is that they are beautiful, appetizing, large berries with excellent taste.
Advantages:
- good transportability and keeping quality;
- unpretentiousness of the plant;
- strong immune system;
- long fruiting period;
- good drought resistance;
- thornlessness;
- mid-early ripening period.
Flaws:
- low winter hardiness;
- shoots need support.
Landing rules
All work with Auchita blackberry seedlings should begin in spring or autumn. The further south the area, the later you can plant shrubs on the site. In the spring, it is preferable to work with young plants in the northern regions so that the crop has time to take root over the summer.
Neither seedlings nor adult Auchita blackberry bushes tolerate sudden temperature changes
It is best to place the crop on slopes protected from the wind. In the garden, it is recommended to find a place for the seedling near the fence.
Unfavorable places for planting are wetlands and hollows. The maximum yields are noted by those gardeners who grow Auchita blackberries in fertile areas rich in nutrients.
The planting scheme is simple: shrubs should be placed in one or two rows. When placing Auchita blackberries, you need to take into account that they love sunlight. Shrubs should not be planted near large trees.This is due to the fact that plants will compete with each other for nutrients.
Planting methods:
- Bush: there should be a distance of 1.8 m between the rows and seedlings.
- Ribbon: plant cuttings in a continuous chain, placing 2-3 copies in each hole;
- Mother plant: place plants at a distance of 3 m.
How to care
Immediately after planting, Auchita blackberries require a trellis. Its height should be no more than 3 m. The first row of wire should be placed at a height of 70 cm from the ground, the second at 1.4 m, and the third at 2 m. The distance between the support posts is 4-7 m.
Caring for Auchita blackberries involves watering, loosening, and mulching. It is necessary to promptly remove weeds and remove fallen leaves.
A procedure such as pruning should not be neglected. It is mandatory to carry it out in spring and autumn. Most gardeners prefer to postpone all work to March-April. Pruning should be done before sap flows in the shoots. It is necessary to remove frozen, improperly developed shoots. Only strong and fruitful branches should be left.
When pruning, only clean, sharp tools should be used.
Preparing for winter
Low frost resistance forces gardeners to use various methods of shelter. The shoots should be removed from the supports in September, when the fruiting period ends. The branches should be laid on the ground and then secured in a horizontal position. On top of them it is necessary to distribute covering material: straw, pine needles, fabric.
Reproduction methods
For the procedure, it is best to use root cuttings.If the shoots are lowered to the ground, they will quickly take root and begin to produce new shoots.
A successful outcome of reproduction is most often achieved in cases where the plant is worked in greenhouse conditions. It is there that you can control the humidity and temperature of the air. The length of each cutting is ideally 10-12 cm. There should be 2-3 buds on their upper part. Before detaching the shoots from the mother bush, it is recommended to make sure that they have developed a root system.
Auchita blackberry cuttings should be taken in the spring.
Conclusion
Auchita blackberry is an unpretentious, high-yielding variety. Ripe berries are pleasing with their presentation and bright taste, tolerate transportation well, and are ideal for sale. With proper planting and care, the gardener will regularly enjoy the harvest almost throughout the summer.
