Content
- 1 History of selection
- 2 Description of Loch Tay blackberries
- 3 Characteristics of Loch Tay blackberry
- 4 Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
- 5 Features of planting blackberries Loch Tay (Lochtei)
- 6 Caring for blackberries Loch Tay (Lochtay)
- 7 Protection from pests and diseases
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews from gardeners about Loch Tay blackberries
Loch Tay blackberries are one of the most popular varieties in the world. It is valued by amateur gardeners for its excellent taste and ripening time, ease of care and harvesting, due to the absence of thorns on the shoots. Cultivating Loch Tay blackberries does not require a lot of experience from the gardener; agricultural technology includes standard activities.
History of selection
The blackberry hybrid Loch Tay appeared in Europe in the mid-2000s and reached Russia in 2011. Breeders from the Scottish Crop Research Institute created it based on their own earlier achievement - the Loch Ness blackberry. The selection also included a natural loganberry and an “intermediate” variety codenamed SCRI 82417D. The hybrid continues the series of namesakes of Scottish lakes.
Description of Loch Tay blackberries
Loch Tay is a variety cultivated mainly by amateur gardeners in Russia. However, in Europe and America it is grown mainly on an industrial scale.
External description of the bush
The height of the bushes reaches 3.5-4 m. But for ease of care and harvesting, it is limited to 2-2.5 m. The shoots are initially erect, but as they grow, they droop, turning into some kind of arches.
The bush can be described as semi-creeping
The shoots of Loch Tay blackberry are completely smooth, without thorns. The bark is pale brown and often flaky and peels off in long strips. The leaves are rich green, large, dense to the touch (even leathery), and have a typical shape for the crop.
The root system of the bushes is powerful, the roots quickly grow both in depth and in breadth. If this process cannot be uncontrolled, plants are quite capable of “taking over” the entire garden. Thanks to its developed root system, the tall bush successfully maintains its vertical position.
Taste qualities of berries
The berries of the Loch Tay variety are one-dimensional, quite large (10-12 g). The shape is something between a cylinder and a cone. They taste richly sweet, but not cloying or bland, with a light “balancing” sourness and a fruity-spicy aftertaste.
The pulp is juicy, with a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma of forest berries. During the ripening process, it becomes denser, the black skin acquires a glossy sheen and “silkyness.” The seeds are small and almost unnoticeable when eaten.
The skin is thin, but elastic and quite strong, which provides Loch Tay blackberries with very good shelf life and transportability
Characteristics of Loch Tay blackberry
The outstanding taste and external presentation of Loch Tay blackberries are successfully complemented by other characteristics that are important for the gardener. They cannot be ignored when choosing a variety - the fundamental possibility of its cultivation in a certain region depends on this.
Flowering period, ripening period and yield
In terms of ripening time, the hybrid is considered ultra-early. The timing varies depending on the region of cultivation. In the south of Russia, the first wave of harvest occurs in the second ten days of June. In the northern regions (for example, in the Leningrad region), Loch Tay blackberries are harvested 15-20 days later. Fruiting is extended, lasting until the end of July or even the beginning of August.
Flowering is also quite early. The buds are collected in loose clusters of 5-10 pieces and open from mid to late April. The flowers are large, with snow-white petals.
An adult bush (from 4-5 years old), with quality care, produces about 20 kg of berries per season. If the gardener does not pay enough attention to Loch Tay blackberries, this figure drops to 5-6 kg.
According to the originator, the yield of Loch Tay blackberries is 30 kg per bush
Frost resistance
Cold resistance is average - about -20 ° C. In the southern Russian regions, it can easily overwinter without shelter; in the middle zone and regions with a more severe climate, special preparation for frost is required.
Resistance to diseases and pests
A powerful root system is the key to the overall endurance and “stress resistance” of Loch Tay blackberries. The bushes are extremely rarely affected by pests and successfully resist pathogenic microflora. As a rule, even special prevention is not required - just proper care and adherence to the planting scheme. However, Loch Tay blackberries lack “innate” immunity, so if conditions are favorable, they can suffer from the most typical fungi of the crop.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The rich dark purple color of the Loch Tay blackberry pulp indicates a high concentration of anthocyanins that are extremely beneficial to health. It also surpasses many varieties and hybrids in the content of vitamin C, PP and group B.
There are very few disadvantages of Loch Tay blackberries - and they can be classified as varietal characteristics
Pros:
- absence of thorns on the branches;
- very early berry ripening;
- extended fruiting;
- outstanding taste, large size and visual presentation of the berries;
- versatility of blackberries;
- the ability to withstand prolonged drought with virtually no loss in crop volume and quality;
- relatively good cold resistance;
- general endurance, high resistance to pathogens and insects;
- suitability for cultivation on an industrial scale and mechanized harvesting;
- good transportability and keeping quality of berries.
Minuses:
- very fast growth rates;
- early completion of fruiting.
Features of planting blackberries Loch Tay (Lochtei)
Loch Tay blackberries are most often planted in the spring. Thanks to its drought resistance, it successfully takes root even in the southern Russian regions, where heat and lack of precipitation in summer are by no means uncommon.
To obtain the highest yields of Loch Tay blackberries, choose an open place for planting, well lit and warmed by the sun. It is necessary to protect the bushes from cold winds and sharp drafts. You also need a substrate that combines breathability and looseness with fertility, characterized by a neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.7-6.5). High groundwater (closer than 2 m) approaching the surface significantly increases the risk of developing fungal diseases.
For ease of cultivation and care, a minimum of 2 m is left between neighboring Loch Tay blackberry bushes. When cultivated on an industrial scale, the interval is reduced to 1.2-1.5 m. The row spacing in both cases is the same - 2.5-3 m.
Bushes are placed on the south side of a natural or artificial barrier
Loch Tay blackberries are planted in a hole with a depth and diameter of 60-70 cm. Any drainage material is poured onto the bottom (a layer of at least 5-7 cm). The hole is dug in the fall; in winter, fertile soil “stands” in it.
Before and after planting, the soil is watered abundantly. If possible, it is carried out using the transshipment method. During the process, be sure to compact the soil manually, monitoring the position of the root collar. It needs to be buried 2-3 cm into the ground.
At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to mulch the tree trunk circle and trim the shoots to 20-25 cm (3-4 growth buds)
Caring for blackberries Loch Tay (Lochtay)
Thornless blackberry Loch Tay requires only standard agrotechnical measures:
- Watering. In central Russia, bushes often survive on natural precipitation.In the south, in extreme heat and in the absence of rain, Loch Tay blackberries are watered once every 15-20 days.
- Feeding. Fertilizers are applied from the second year after planting. At the beginning of the season, nitrogen is needed, during budding, formation of ovaries and 2-3 weeks after harvesting - complex products for berry bushes.
- Trimming. In addition to sanitary pruning and thinning of the bush at the beginning and end of the season, it is necessary to regularly remove root shoots. Each new shoot is pinched twice - at a height of 30-35 and 90-95 cm.
- Mulching. Mulch partially prevents the growth of root shoots and helps the gardener save time on weeding and mulching. It needs to be updated every season.
The “norm” for an adult bush is 12-15 fruiting branches
Preparing Loch Tay (Lochtay) blackberries for winter
If the winter is expected to be harsh, the roots of the Loch Tay blackberry are “insulated” by filling the bed with straw, branches of coniferous trees, fallen leaves (layer 12-15 cm), after removing all plant debris. The shoots removed from the trellis, wrapped in 2-3 layers of covering material and tied together are placed on the resulting “cushion”.
When enough snow has fallen, it is thrown onto the bed from above, creating additional “thermal insulation”
Protection from pests and diseases
Garden blackberry Loch Tay does not have “innate” immunity, but pests are practically not interested in this variety, even in cases of “mass” invasion of the garden. The plant also resists diseases successfully, but under unfavorable conditions, it can still become infected:
- anthracnose;
Anthracnose affects not only blackberries, but also raspberries, so these two crops are not recommended to be planted side by side
- verticillium;
It is difficult to save a Loch Tay blackberry bush affected by verticillium - the disease develops very quickly
- gray rot.
The development of gray rot on Loch Tay blackberry bushes is favored by high humidity combined with cool summer weather
To combat diseases affecting Loch Tay blackberries, any fungicides are used. If the problem is noticed in time, 2-3 sprays of the bushes themselves and the soil under them are enough. You must first cut off all shoots, leaves, and berries affected by the fungus.
Conclusion
Loch Tay blackberries are highly valued by both amateur gardeners and professional farmers. This variety's resistance to drought, other adverse external influences, and pest attacks is successfully combined with consistently high yields and outstanding berry taste. Loch Tay blackberries cannot be called capricious and demanding to care for; they are quite suitable for not particularly experienced gardeners.
Reviews from gardeners about Loch Tay blackberries
