Blackberry varieties without thorns

Cultivated berry fields produce large yields and large fruits. Plants are easier to care for.Non-thorny blackberries are not yet grown on an industrial scale in our country, but the culture has already spread among private gardeners and summer residents. There are more than 300 varieties adapted to the climate of different regions.

General description of varieties of thornless blackberries and photos

The appearance of thornless blackberries is attractive. The lacy plant forms a large bush covered with bright green foliage with a jagged edge. Flowers appear around mid-June. The exact date depends on the variety: early, middle or late. The inflorescences are often white, but there may be a pink or lilac tint. Fruiting lasts from a month or longer, which also depends on the characteristics of the variety. The berries are green at first. When ripe, the fruits first turn red, then turn dark purple or black.

The root system of thornless blackberries is buried up to 1.5 m, which allows the plant to survive drought without reducing yield. The culture is considered two years old. The first year the bush grows fruiting shoots. In the second year they bear berries, and in the fall the fruit-bearing branches are cut off. Replacement shoots are prepared for the next fruiting. In one place, a thornless bush can bear fruit for up to 10 years. Then the plant is transplanted to another place.

Thornless is considered an annual remontant blackberry. The plant bears fruit on the branches of the current year. In autumn, the shoots are cut off at the root. In the spring, new branches grow and immediately begin to bear fruit.

Thornless culture is divided into two types based on the structure of the bush:

• Kumanika - an upright plant with strong, slightly bending branches. The length of the shoots reaches more than 3 m.The bramble sprouts a lot of young shoots.
• Rosyanika - creeping plant. Flexible stems stretch more than 6 m long. Dewberry does not sprout young shoots from the roots. An exception may be damage to the root system. A young shoot may emerge from a cut root.

Semi-creeping varieties are less common. In such a crop, strong shoots about 50 cm high grow evenly, then they begin to creep.

Advantages and disadvantages of thornless blackberries

To decide to grow a thornless variety, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of the crop. Let's start with the positive qualities:

• the long fruiting period for most varieties lasts more than two months;
• the thornless plant bears large berries;
• It is easier to pick fruits from a non-thorny bush;
• the plant is unpretentious in care, easily tolerates drought;
• You can pick new ripe berries every two days;
• remontant thornless varieties are easy to care for, since in the fall all branches are cut off at the root;
• thornless varieties are more resistant to diseases.

The disadvantage of thornless varieties is the high cost of seedlings and lower frost resistance.

The best varieties

More than 300 varieties are grown in our country. New crops appear every year. Let's look at the best thornless varieties of blackberries that have proven themselves to be excellent.

Apache

The American thornless variety produces large berries weighing up to 11 g. It is a medium-ripening crop. The bush is erect. The yield reaches 2.4 kg of berries per plant. Fruiting lasts up to 5 weeks.

Arapaho

The early culture, based on the structure of the bush, belongs to the bramble. The berries ripen in July. Fruiting lasts about 4 weeks. The stems grow about 3 m long. The thornless variety can withstand frosts down to –24^ABOUTWITH.The berries are large, weighing up to 9 g. Up to 4 kg of fruits are collected from 1 bush.

Black Satin

One of the old thornless varieties of medium ripening brings up to 15 kg of yield per plant. Records were set up to 25 kg with good feeding. The berries are medium-sized, weighing up to 5 g. The structure of the bush is semi-creeping. The variety can withstand frosts down to –22^OWITH.

Waldo

A productive variety with a creeping bush structure produces up to 17 kg of berries. The fruit weight is about 8 g. The stems grow more than 2 m long. The thornless crop needs good shelter for the winter due to its average frost resistance. Harvest ripening begins in July.

Chief Joseph

The thornless variety has a powerful, fast-growing bush. The length of the stems reaches 4 m. The ripening of berries begins in June. Fruiting lasts 45–50 days. The average weight of the fruit is 15 g, but there are large giants weighing up to 25 g. In the fourth year after planting, the yield of the variety reaches 35 kg per plant.

Doyle

The late-ripening thornless variety is famous for its high yield. You can collect up to seven buckets of berries from a bush. Fruit ripening begins in the second ten days of August. The weight of the berry is about 9 g. The lashes grow up to 6 m long. The plant requires shelter for the winter.

Columbia Star

The thornless variety has not yet spread much across the expanses of our country. Ripening dates are early. The berries grow large, weighing about 15 g. The structure of the bush is creeping. The length of the shoots reaches 5 m. The variety is suitable for the southern regions, as it can withstand temperatures down to -14^OWITH.

Loch Tay

Thornless variety of medium ripening period. The yield of the plant reaches 12 kg. The weight of one berry is about 5 g. The bush grows stems more than 5 m long. Frost resistance is average. The plant can withstand up to -20^OC. Shelter is required for the winter.

The video provides an overview of the variety:

Loch Ness

The thornless mid-late variety produces up to 25 kg of sweet and sour berries with a forest aroma. The weight of the fruit is about 8 g. The berry ripens in the last days of July. The plant is semi-creeping with a stem length of up to 4 m. Winter hardiness is average. The lashes are covered for the winter.

Navajo

The late-ripening thornless variety is famous for its good frost resistance. The bush is erect in shape. Fruiting lasts from August to September. Productivity reaches more than 500 fruits per plant. The average weight of one berry is 5 g.

Natchez

The thornless variety will appeal to lovers of early berries. The plant produces up to 20 kg of large fruits, weighing 12 g. Ripening begins in June. Fruiting duration is 1.5 months. The structure of the bush is erect with transition to creeping shoots. The length of the stems reaches 3 m. Winter hardiness is average. For the winter, lashes in cold regions are covered.

The video provides an overview of the variety:

Oregon Thornless

A late-ripening, thornless, creeping variety produces up to 10 kg of berries per plant. Fruit ripening begins in August. The weight of the berry is about 9 g. The thornless stems grow more than 4 m long. Blackberries are considered frost-resistant. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -29^OC. When grown in the middle zone, shelter is necessary for the winter.

Osage

Gardeners fell in love with thornless blackberries because of the good taste of the berries. This is the only advantage of the variety.Productivity is low - maximum 3 kg of fruit per plant. The average berry weight is 6 g. Ripening begins in July. The bush is erect, the height of the stems reaches 2 m. Frost resistance is weak. Blackberries can withstand temperatures down to -13^OWITH.

Ouachita

The thornless early variety pleases with ripe berries in June. An adult bush can produce up to 30 kg of harvest. Fruiting lasts up to two months. The lashes of an erect bush grow up to 3 m long. Winter hardiness is weak. Blackberries can withstand frosts down to -17^OWITH.

Polar

The thornless Polish variety grows without shelter in its homeland. Blackberries can withstand frosts from -25^OFrom to –30^OC, but under such conditions a fivefold decrease in yield is observed. Berries ripen later. Fruiting lasts from August to September. The berries are large and can be transported. The erect bush throws out shoots up to 3 m long.

Smutstststem

The old American hybrid is the first-born of thornless varieties. The semi-creeping bush grows lashes 3 m long. The weight of the berries varies from 5 to 10 g. The yield of blackberries reaches 25 kg per plant. Frost resistance is average.

Hull Tornless

The American thornless blackberry hybrid was bred for warm regions where frosts in winter reach a maximum of -8^OC. Productivity reaches 40 kg of large berries per plant. Semi-creeping bush. The length of the lashes reaches 5 m.

Chačanska Bestrna

The variety is considered early ripening, as the berries begin to ripen in early July. Blackberry yield reaches 15 kg per plant. The weight of the fruit is about 14 g. The thornless plant has a semi-creeping bush shape. The length of the shoots is 3.5 m. Blackberries have good winter hardiness. The plant can withstand -26^OC, but they cover it for the winter.

Cherokee

The variety is considered thornless, despite the rare presence of almost imperceptible thorns. The yield is 15 kg per plant. The average berry weight is 8 g. The bush is spreading and has a decorative structure. Frost resistance is average.

Chester

A late-ripening, thornless old variety produces a harvest of tasty berries of up to 20 kg per plant. The average weight of one fruit is 8 g. Ripening begins in early August, sometimes at the end of July. A semi-creeping plant grows stems up to 3 m long. Blackberries can withstand frosts down to -26^OWITH.

Remontant varieties of thornless blackberries

The difference between remontant blackberry varieties is the appearance of berries on the shoots of the current year. Gardeners have learned to get two harvests from a crop, which depends on the pruning method:

• To get one harvest, in the fall all branches of remontant blackberries are cut off at the root. In spring, new fruiting shoots grow.
• To obtain two harvests in the fall, only old fruit-bearing shoots are cut out. Young blackberry shoots are bent to the ground and covered. Berries on these branches will appear at the end of July. After harvesting, the vines are cut out and new fruits will appear on the stems of the current year in August.

Remontant blackberry varieties are more suitable for the southern regions. In the northern regions, the berries do not have time to ripen.

A prominent representative of the remontant group is the thornless blackberry Freedom. The bush can withstand frosts down to –14^OC. Productivity reaches 7 kg per plant. Berry weight is about 9 g.

The thornless remontant variety Traveler brings up to 3 kg of yield per bush. Late fruiting begins on August 17. The erect bush bears fruit weighing 8 g.

Frost-resistant varieties of thornless blackberries

Thornless blackberries are considered frost-resistant if they can withstand a temperature drop of approximately -20^OC. However, in cold regions, all varieties must be covered for the winter. From the presented review we can highlight Navajo, Loch Ness, Black Satin.

Early varieties of blackberries without thorns

You can expect a harvest from early blackberries in late June - early July. Of the considered thornless varieties, Natchez and Arapahoe are prominent representatives. Early blackberries are suitable for growing in cold regions, as the plant has time to produce its entire harvest.

New varieties of blackberries without thorns - what to expect from breeders

Breeders are constantly developing new varieties of thornless blackberries. In 1998, the Polish Orcan culture was registered. The late-ripening variety bears large berries in August. The bush does not sprout root shoots. In Europe, blackberries are covered with light material for the winter.

Another new product is the thornless blackberry Ruczai. Polish breeders have developed a high-yielding, vigorous shrub that does not sprout roots. Medium-sized berries begin to ripen in the second decade of August.

Rules for choosing a suitable thornless blackberry variety

To grow thornless blackberries on your plot, you need to choose the right variety. First of all, frost resistance and ripening time are taken into account. These factors determine whether blackberries are suitable for the climatic conditions of the region.

After choosing a suitable group, you can already look at the yield, berry size, bush structure and other characteristics of the variety.

Blackberry varieties without thorns for the Moscow region

It is better to grow varieties adapted to local weather conditions in the Moscow region. Regardless of frost resistance, blackberries will have to be covered for the winter.The plant is at risk from snowless winters, and such winters are observed in the Moscow region. From the list of varieties considered, you can grow thornless Apache and Black Satin blackberries in cold areas.

The thornless blackberry Thornfree has proven itself well in the Moscow region. Dewberry bears fruits weighing 7 g. The bushes are vigorous with vines up to 5 m long.

Blackberry varieties without thorns for central Russia

There are also adapted varieties for growing in the middle zone. A prominent representative is the thornless blackberry Doyle. The crop produces large berries weighing 7 g. The plant easily tolerates cold and drought, but abundant watering increases yield.

The thornless blackberry variety Ruben has taken root well in the middle zone. The remontant crop has a compact bush up to 2 m high. The ripening of berries lasts from August to September. Fruit weight is about 10 g.

Thornless blackberry varieties for the Urals

To successfully grow thornless blackberries in the Urals, they choose not only frost-resistant varieties, but also those that can withstand temperature changes in early spring. The thornless crops of Loch Ness, Black Satin, and Waldo have adapted well.

Polar is considered the best variety for the Urals. Thornless blackberries bear ripe berries in the third decade of June. The yield reaches 5 kg per bush. The plant can withstand frosts down to –30^OWITH.

Blackberries without thorns: planting and care

The agricultural technology used for thornless blackberries is the same as for their thorny relative. In the second year after planting the seedling, it is recommended to pluck all the inflorescences from the fruit branches to allow the root system to grow.

Recommended timing

In cold regions, spring planting of thornless blackberries is preferred, falling in April - early May. In the south, the seedling will have time to take root before winter when planted in the fall.Planting is usually done in September.

Choosing a suitable location

For thornless blackberries, choose a bright area well illuminated by the sun. It is important to protect the plant from winds, strong gusts of which are often observed in the Moscow region. It is optimal to plant bushes along the fence, retreating at least 1 m.

Soil preparation

The bed for planting thornless blackberries is dug up to a depth of 50 cm, and humus or compost is added. Additionally, before planting the seedlings, add a bucket of humus mixed with fertile soil, potassium fertilizer and superphosphate - 25 g into each hole.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

When purchasing, select seedlings with a developed root system, two twigs, and live buds. Before planting, the plant is immersed with its roots in warm water. The procedure accelerates the growth of root shoots.

Algorithm and landing scheme

The optimal planting depth for blackberry seedlings is 50 cm. Water the hole with a fertile mixture of soil and humus. After planting the seedling, another watering is performed, after which the soil is mulched. The above-ground part is shortened, leaving twigs 30 cm high.

The planting pattern depends on the variety of thornless blackberry. Between compact bushes a distance of up to 1.5 m is maintained. For creeping, vigorously growing varieties, a gap of at least 1.8 m is maintained between plants. The row spacing is from 2 to 3 m.

Caring for thornless blackberries in spring, summer and autumn

To get a good harvest, thornless blackberries need care throughout the growing season.

Principles of growing thornless blackberries

All thornless blackberries, regardless of the growth of the bush, need to be tied to a support. It is optimal to install trellises made of posts and wire. To increase productivity, fertilize, form a bush, loosen and mulch the soil.In the fall, be sure to add superphosphate and ash to the soil. In the spring, feed the bushes with compost and ammonium nitrate.

Necessary activities

Mandatory measures for caring for thornless blackberries include the following:

• In the fall, blackberries are provided with shelter, which is removed in the spring immediately after the snow melts.
• The soil around the bushes floats from weed, loosen after each watering, mulch to retain moisture.
• Watering is carried out once a week, and then while pouring berries. Long roots themselves extract moisture from the depths of the earth. Spring and autumn watering is required to recharge the bush.
• Fertilizing cannot be done with fresh organic matter. Rotted manure works well. In the spring, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to stimulate the growth of the bush. 20 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 m2 is suitable² beds. Phosphorus is added during fruiting, and potassium is added closer to autumn.

Pests rarely visit blackberries, but when they appear, the plantations are sprayed with chemicals.

Pruning thornless blackberries in spring

Pruning in the spring is done only for sanitary purposes. Old fruit-bearing shoots are removed if they were not cut out in the fall. Additionally, all frozen and budless branches are pruned. When pruning, do not leave stumps to prevent pests. Remontant thornless varieties are not pruned in the spring, since all branches are cut off at the root in the fall.

More details about pruning thornless blackberries are shown in the video:

Preparing for winter

After autumn pruning, thornless blackberries in cold regions are prepared for wintering. The lashes are removed from the trellises, tied with twine, and pinned to the ground with wire. Upright bushes have fragile shoots. To prevent them from breaking, weights are tied to the tops in the fall. Under the weight of the blackberry branches, they bend to the ground, and they can easily be covered.

Spruce branches are ideal for insulating thornless blackberry bushes. The spines prevent rodents from getting in. You can use non-woven material paired with film.

The video shows how to properly cover blackberries:

Propagation of thornless blackberries

You can propagate thornless blackberries yourself in the following ways:

• Seeds. A complex method that does not preserve the varietal characteristics of the crop. The seeds do not germinate well.
• By layering. In August, the scourge is bent to the ground and covered with soil, leaving only the top. The following spring, the plants are cut off from the mother bush and planted.
• Cuttings. Branches 15–20 cm long from woody shoots germinate best in damp soil. You can cut green cuttings from the tops, but the planting will have to be covered with a greenhouse.
• Air layering. The grafting site is wrapped with a piece of film filled with soil. The soil is constantly wetted from a syringe with a needle. In a month, a cutting with a root will appear, which can be separated.

Thornless blackberries are not propagated by offspring, as these varieties do not produce young shoots. The option of dividing the bush or using root cuttings is possible, but the process requires care and is difficult for novice gardeners.

About diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

Summer residents treat diseases and destroy pests on thornless blackberries using folk remedies. The list of actions is presented in the table. The main enemy of the crop is white plaque or mites. Store-bought drugs include Skor or Saprol.

Conclusion

Thornless blackberries are not as popular as raspberries, but they have already appeared among many domestic gardeners. The crop produces a huge harvest of tasty berries and does not require very complex care.

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