Content
Blackberry Ebony is a variety of American selection, characterized by consistently high yield. The crop is not demanding on growing conditions, but requires shelter for the winter. It takes root well in most central regions of Russia.
History of selection
Ebony Blackberry was developed in the USA. Obtained by crossing the Cherokee and Thornphy varieties. The variety is not included in the Russian register of selection achievements. The culture is demanding of light and heat, so it has not spread to all regions. However, in the south and in the middle zone it is quite possible to grow it, provided it is carefully covered for the winter.
External description of Ebony blackberry
Ebony blackberry is a perennial shrub that grows up to 1.5–2 m in height. The branches are vertical, erect, the crown is compact and does not require much space. The leaf color is bright green. The stems are quite elastic, so they do not break from the wind or under the weight of the fruit. An important advantage is that the branches are not covered with thorns, and the berries are easy to harvest (dry tearing).Therefore, caring for the bush and harvesting is quite simple.
White flowers.
Ebony berries have a typical shape and black color
Blackberries are large, reaching 20 mm in diameter. The taste is pleasant, with a balance of sweet and sour. The pulp is juicy and has a pleasant aroma. Consumed fresh, used in dishes and preparations.
Ebony blackberries contain water (90.7%) and dry substances (9.3%), including:
- sugar – 5.5%;
- organic acids – 0.8%;
- pectins – 0.9%.
Vitamin C is contained in small quantities - 10-20 mg per 100 g of fresh pulp. During the preparation of Ebony blackberry jam, it is destroyed, so it will not be possible to use the berry as a source of ascorbic acid.
The shelf life of the fruit is about four days in the refrigerator. The harvest can be transported to a place of sale or processing. For longer storage, the berries are blast frozen. Ebony blackberry leaves also have nutritional value; they are dried and used as tea.
Ebony blackberries are large and round in shape.
Characteristics of thornless blackberry Ebony
The variety has moderate winter hardiness, so it can be grown in central Russia. The crop's yield is very high, which allows it to fully meet the needs of a personal household.
Ripening time and yield
Ebony blackberries are early ripening varieties. The fruits ripen in July, and in the south - in June. This is much earlier than other varieties. The crop yield is high. From one adult bush you can get 10–15 kg.
Frost resistance
Ebony blackberry is a frost-resistant crop.According to this indicator, it belongs to zone 5 according to the USDA classification, i.e. withstands short-term cold snaps down to -29 degrees. However, in central Russia, occasional frosts can be stronger; dangerous temperature changes and short-term thaws are often observed. Therefore, the shrub needs reliable shelter for the winter.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Ebony blackberries are characterized by good resistance to a number of diseases and pests. But depleted soils may suffer from chlorosis, which can be easily corrected by adding a complex fertilizer.
Under conditions of improper planting and care, Ebony blackberries can suffer from insects, fungal, and bacterial pathologies. As a preventive measure, you need to monitor the care, regularly feed, weed, loosen the soil, and also prune annually.
Since Ebony blackberries can suffer from mole crickets, chafer bugs and mites (spider mites, hair mites), it is necessary to have the following treatment products in stock:
- "Fufanon";
- "Fitoverm";
- "Confidor";
- "Karbofos" and others.
Pros and cons of the variety
The Ebony variety has good productivity and produces tasty, large berries. The culture tolerates winters even in temperate climates. Therefore, a stable harvest can be obtained both in the south and in the middle zone.
The main wave of fruiting occurs in July
Pros:
- very high yield;
- large and tasty berries;
- absence of thorns;
- good immunity;
- compact crown;
- transportability;
- fruits are suitable for freezing and preparing;
- the bush can be used for decorative purposes.
Minuses:
- relative winter hardiness - needs to be covered for the winter;
- cannot be grown in all regions;
- the fruits may be sour.
Landing rules
Blackberry Ebony is demanding of light, so for planting you need to choose open places, without partial shade. The site should be protected from strong winds, especially from the north. The soil is moderately fertile and not too dense. The best option is loam with a slightly acidic reaction (pH from 5.5 to 6.5).
The cultivation site must be dry. For planting Ebony blackberries, you should not choose lowlands and areas with high groundwater (they should approach the surface a maximum of 2 m).
The timing of planting Ebony blackberries depends on the climatic conditions of the region. In the south it can be planted both in spring (early April) and autumn (until the end of October). In other regions, including central Russia, only spring planting is allowed - from mid to late April.
Shrubs grow well only in illuminated areas
For planting, choose healthy Ebony blackberry seedlings without external damage at the age of 1 to 3 years. They need to be inspected and all weak foliage and dried or too long roots must be removed. Sequencing:
- Place the Ebony blackberry seedling in a solution with Kornevin or another growth stimulator for several hours.
- Dig a hole measuring 50x50 cm or slightly larger. The interval between them should be 2–3 m, and the distance to the fence should be at least 1 m.
- Place a layer of fertile soil in the form of a mound at the bottom.
- Place an Ebony blackberry seedling in the hole.
- Sprinkle with soil and deepen so that the root collar goes to a shallow depth of 1–2 cm.
- Trim all shoots, leaving 4–5 buds on each.
- Place a wooden peg and tie up the seedling.
- Water with settled water and lay down mulch (straw, sawdust, hay).
The area is cleared and dug up. If the soil is depleted, you need to add compost at the rate of a bucket per 2 m2. If the soil is too dense, add 1 kg of sand or sawdust to the same area.
How to care
Caring for Ebony blackberries is simple - the variety does not require special growing conditions. Basic actions:
- Regular watering - 2-3 times a month, and in drought - weekly.
- After heavy rains, the soil should be loosened.
- Weeding needs to be done periodically - berry crops do not tolerate rapid growth of weeds.
- Fertilizers for Ebony blackberries are applied 2-3 times per season at intervals of 3-4 weeks. You can alternate organic matter (slurry 1:10, bird droppings 1:20) and complex mineral fertilizers (during flowering and twice at the fruiting stage).
- Every spring (March) and autumn (early November) the bushes need to be pruned. At the beginning of the season, they do a sanitary haircut, and in the fall they form the crown, removing all strongly protruding and weakened branches.
The formative pruning diagram of the Ebony blackberry bush will help you carry out the procedure correctly
The support must have a height of at least 2 m. Wires are fixed to it in at least three horizontal rows with an interval of 50 cm.
How to prepare for winter
When growing in the south, it is not necessary to prepare shrubs for winter, with the exception of young seedlings, the root zone of which must be mulched with sawdust, straw or other natural material. In the middle zone, even adult specimens of Ebony blackberries need to be covered. At the end of October you must:
- Carefully remove all branches from the trellis.
- Tie them with rope in several bundles.
- Bend it down and lay it on the ground, pinning it with metal staples.
- Spray with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution.
- Cover the top with spruce branches, straw, sawdust or dense agrofibre.
Reproduction methods
The main methods of propagating Ebony blackberries are cuttings and layering. Cuttings are cut in early June, each of them should be 30–40 cm in length. Growing instructions:
- Make an oblique bottom cut and a straight top cut.
- Place in a solution with Kornevin.
- Plant in fertile soil at intervals of 5 cm.
- Install the arcs and cover with film.
- Transplant Ebony blackberry seedlings to a permanent location after three leaves appear.
When propagating by layering in mid-spring, you need to bend down several branches and pin them with staples. Cover with soil, leaving only the tops, and water periodically. In the fall, cut it off from the mother bush and replant it in a new place.
Conclusion
Ebony blackberry is a fairly unpretentious and winter-hardy crop. It should not be grown beyond the Urals, but it is quite possible to grow it in the middle zone and in the south. Valued by summer residents for a good harvest and large, tasty berries.
Reviews from gardeners about Ebony blackberries
