Post by Indilwen on Jun 23, 2011 14:14:20 GMT 12
Blackberry Rubus trivialis
Blackberries are native to North America but have adjusted well to many parts of the world. I think we all have memories of picking wild blackberries on the side of the road when we were kids. Coming away with very red mouths and hands and a few prickles to dig out later.
Landscape Value
Train the plants on trellis to create an edible screen, beside a deck or on a fence. Or on a pillar rose frame as a focal point in the garden or container. Colourful autumn foliage.
Nutritional Value
Blackberries are rich in vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also contain calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
How to Eat
Straight from the plant, chill for later use in desserts. Berries are idea for jams and jellies, juice or wine. There should be no wastage.
Expected Yield
6 plants will provide ample fruit for a family of four/five.
Growing
Sun
Provide an easterly aspect, shaded from the afternoon sun.
Wind
Expose to the cooler southerly winds but protect from hot dry winds.
Climate
Low chill requirement so will grow New Zealand wide.
Soil
Any well drained site with good moisture content and high in organic matter.
Fertiliser
Apply a general NPK fertiliser early spring and mulch with manure or compost.
Pruning
In winter when the plant is dormant gather up the canes and train along the trellis. Cut out the weak, fruited and old canes. Blackberries have a sprawling habit so keep canes off the ground as they will root themselves at a node.
Pests
Apply several copper sprays in winter for fungal disease control. Planted in an open space with free air flow will help keep diseases at bay. DO NOT spray within seven days of harvest.
Hardiness
Hardy to -6°C
Special Conditions
Bird netting may be required to keep the birds off. Extra water at fruiting time will improve fruit quality, but apply to the base of the plant to avoid wetting the fruit.
Blackberry Black Satin
Large glossy black conical fruit of excellent sweet flavour. Bred in USA.
Habit - Thornless upright canes of serrated green leaves which turn to beautiful dark autumn colours.
Size - 1.8m x 1.5m
Pollination - Self-fertile
Harvest - Harvest in summer from February to March. Once the fruit have full colour leave on vine for a week to get the full sweetness.
Using a half wine barrel and a good potting mix plant your selection of berries in spring. Build or buy a frame to fit within the wine barrel with 3 rings evenly spaced up the frame work. As the berry fruit plant grows wind the canes around the frame work to keep it contained. Feed with a general fertiliser in early spring annually. Each winter remove fruited canes and wind up the new canes around the wire structure.
Blackberries are native to North America but have adjusted well to many parts of the world. I think we all have memories of picking wild blackberries on the side of the road when we were kids. Coming away with very red mouths and hands and a few prickles to dig out later.
Landscape Value
Train the plants on trellis to create an edible screen, beside a deck or on a fence. Or on a pillar rose frame as a focal point in the garden or container. Colourful autumn foliage.
Nutritional Value
Blackberries are rich in vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also contain calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
How to Eat
Straight from the plant, chill for later use in desserts. Berries are idea for jams and jellies, juice or wine. There should be no wastage.
Expected Yield
6 plants will provide ample fruit for a family of four/five.
Growing
Sun
Provide an easterly aspect, shaded from the afternoon sun.
Wind
Expose to the cooler southerly winds but protect from hot dry winds.
Climate
Low chill requirement so will grow New Zealand wide.
Soil
Any well drained site with good moisture content and high in organic matter.
Fertiliser
Apply a general NPK fertiliser early spring and mulch with manure or compost.
Pruning
In winter when the plant is dormant gather up the canes and train along the trellis. Cut out the weak, fruited and old canes. Blackberries have a sprawling habit so keep canes off the ground as they will root themselves at a node.
Pests
Apply several copper sprays in winter for fungal disease control. Planted in an open space with free air flow will help keep diseases at bay. DO NOT spray within seven days of harvest.
Hardiness
Hardy to -6°C
Special Conditions
Bird netting may be required to keep the birds off. Extra water at fruiting time will improve fruit quality, but apply to the base of the plant to avoid wetting the fruit.
Blackberry Black Satin
Large glossy black conical fruit of excellent sweet flavour. Bred in USA.
Habit - Thornless upright canes of serrated green leaves which turn to beautiful dark autumn colours.
Size - 1.8m x 1.5m
Pollination - Self-fertile
Harvest - Harvest in summer from February to March. Once the fruit have full colour leave on vine for a week to get the full sweetness.
Using a half wine barrel and a good potting mix plant your selection of berries in spring. Build or buy a frame to fit within the wine barrel with 3 rings evenly spaced up the frame work. As the berry fruit plant grows wind the canes around the frame work to keep it contained. Feed with a general fertiliser in early spring annually. Each winter remove fruited canes and wind up the new canes around the wire structure.
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