Blackberries have the habit of creeping upward, with short, curved but sharp thorns on their arched stems. When the curved and drooping branches touch the ground, roots will grow from the nodes at the top of the branches. Due to this characteristic and the fast growth rate of blackberries, blackberries growing in woodlands, shrubs, and hillsides have It can spread outward and occupy a large area of ??land in a short period of time.

Blackberries can tolerate poor soil and are pioneer plants on wasteland and construction sites. The leaves are palmate, with three to five leaflets. The flowers are white or pink. The flowering period is from May to August every year. The fruit is black or dark purple when mature.

Ganyu Blackberry In blackberries, early flowers can produce more small drupes than later ones. Such symptoms indicate several possibilities: root exhaustion, extremely reluctant pollinator numbers, or environmental conditions. Small changes, such as rainy days, or weather that is too hot, prevent bees from working after early morning, resulting in a reduction in the number of bee visits or a reduction in the number of pollen grains transferred to the flowers, and ultimately a decrease in fruit quality. Drupes develop only near the ovule; male gametes from pollen grains fertilize the ovule.

Blackberry planting: Preparing the ground for planting

Whether it is field planting or garden cultivation, the ground must be prepared first, sufficient water and fertilizer should be applied, and the seeds should be selected and sown. A new high-fat film should be sprayed to enhance fertilizer efficiency, maintain moisture, and promote germination and emergence. To set up a good scaffolding, the principle is to not only facilitate the work under the scaffolding, but also increase the coverage of the scaffolding surface.

Planting blackberries: Reasonable pruning

As a perennial shrub, the growth of branches and vines is disordered. It is necessary to take advantage of the situation, lift branches in a balanced manner, and prune appropriately. During pruning, a wound antiseptic film should be applied promptly to promote rapid wound healing and prevent infection by rotting bacteria.

Carry out cultivating and weeding according to the needs of the plants, water them in a timely manner, and fertilize them appropriately. Spraying a new high-fat film greatly improves the utilization rate of the active ingredients of fertilizers. It is not afraid of evaporation due to exposure to the sun, can adjust the amount of water absorbed, and prevents drought and rain.

Blackberry planting: seedling management

When the curved and drooping branches touch the ground, roots will grow from the nodes at the top of the branches in order to grow more fruits. , First, help the seedlings to be put on the shelves and promote the seedlings to grow quickly. Topdress the seedling fertilizer and flower and fruit fertilizer in a timely manner, and spray a new high-fat film to increase the fertilizer effect.

The vegetative growth and reproductive growth of blackberries have entered a period of coexistence. Spraying Kao No. 3 can convert plant vegetative growth into reproductive nutrition, inhibit the wild growth of main shoots, promote flower bud differentiation, produce more flowers, and improve pollen fertilization. Quality, more flowers and more fruits. During the flower bud stage, young fruit stage and fruit expansion stage, fruit-strengthening spirit should be sprayed in a timely manner to promote thickening of the handle, enhance pollination ability, strengthen smooth nutrient transportation, and accelerate fruit development and enlargement.

Blackberry planting: prevention and control of diseases and insect pests

The main pests in the seedling stage are downy mildew and powdery mildew. Prevent and control diseases and insect pests.

In addition to spraying targeted drugs according to plant protection requirements, a new high-lipid film should be applied to enhance the efficacy of the drug. It is necessary to prune and remove diseased fruits, diseased branches and dead leaves infected with various diseases, and apply callus anti-corrosion film on the cuts, which not only promotes wound healing but also prevents infection by rot pathogens.

Cultivation of blackberries: overwintering method

Before overwintering, tree protector should be sprayed on the plant and a new high-fat film should be sprayed on the surface, which can effectively preserve heat and moisture, prevent pests and diseases, and Protects against cold and skin damage.

Key points for growing blackberries

Seedling cultivation Blackberries are very easy to propagate, and cuttings are the main method. It is best to choose a fertile soil, a cool and slightly humid (but not water-filled) place for the nursery. Select mature new branches, leave 2 buds and cut them out. The cutting time is from December to January of the following year. If water and fertilizer management is strengthened, seedlings with good growth can be obtained in the year of cutting, with up to 4 to 5 branches and a height of more than 2 meters. Some mature branches can bear fruit the same year they are cut, but the quality of the fruit is not affected.

Garden site selection Choose a sunny location. Sandy loam with easy drainage and irrigation, fertile and loose soil is used as a garden. Although blackberries are better grown in cool and humid places, their quality, especially the sugar-acid ratio, is slightly affected.

Planting The spacing between rows is generally 2x2 meters, and 2550 plants are planted per hectare. The planting hole requirement is 60x60x60 cm. Apply organic fertilizer, superphosphate, vegetable cake or burnt marl, etc. and then cover it with 30 cm thick fertilized soil before planting. The planting period is from October to January of the following year. When planting, relax the root system and water thoroughly after planting. Pay attention to watering to prevent drought in the early stage of planting.

Water and fertilizer management: Fertilize 4 times throughout the year. In October, base fertilizer is applied, mainly organic fertilizer, superphosphate, burnt mud or vegetable cake. Apply pre-emergent fertilizer at the end of January, mainly imported compound fertilizer. Topdressing in mid- to late July should be based on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer (dilute human feces or urea). Pay attention to drainage in the garden, and try to keep the garden as dry as possible during the fruit maturity period, which will help increase the sugar acidity.

Erecting a trellis After planting the blackberry seeds, it is necessary to set up a trellis with a height of 1.8 to 2 meters, which can be used to erect fences or sheds. The new shoots should be distributed at 30 cm lengths on the shelf without overlapping them.

Topping: Because the new shoots that sprout from the rhizosphere of blackberries are the fruiting mother branches in the second year and are extremely strong in growth, regular topping is required in order to promote maturity and multi-branching. In order to reduce nutrient consumption, the branches that have produced fruit in the current year can be cut off from the base in August to September after fruiting to concentrate nutrients and cultivate new shoots, and pay attention to bundling new shoots frequently.

Winter pruning The pruning period is from December to late January of the following year. According to the maturity of the new shoots (fruiting mother branches), 8 to 20 buds can be cut short. The general pruning principle is to prune lightly. As a result, the distance between the mother branches on the frame is 50 cm, and the excess is cut off.

Blackberry cultivation technology

1 site selection

Loam or sandy loam is the most suitable soil texture for blackberry orchards. Soil pH ranges from 5.0 to 8.0, but 6.0 is recommended. ~6.5 is best, the soil salt content should be <0.1%, the soil thickness should be >50cm, and the groundwater level should be >100cm. The minimum temperature of most blackberry varieties in winter needs to be higher than -15 degrees Celsius, and the low temperature below 7.2 degrees Celsius in winter is required to be above 700 to 750 hours.

2 Variety Selection

Currently, the varieties that perform well in Nanjing include Hull, Chester, Boysen, Young, Triple Crown, Navaho, Brazos and other varieties. The development of blackberries should be based on Choose the corresponding variety according to the purpose.

3. Selection of seedlings

One-year-old cutting seedlings are preferred, which require a large root system, strong seedlings, and no pests or diseases. If you use the top-rooted seedlings of the current year, you should choose plants with good root systems and relatively strong seedlings. Seedlings should be of the same size, and small and large seedlings should be planted separately. Seedling thickness: >0.5cm (ground diameter); seedling length: 20~30 cm.

4. Planting and gardening

Open a planting trench or dig a planting hole. The width of the planting trench is: 50 cm, the depth is: 40 cm; the length and width of the planting hole are 50 cm, and the depth is 40 cm. cm.

The best time for planting seedlings is from early February to early March.

When planting seedlings, base fertilizer needs to be applied. The type and dosage of base fertilizer: Farmyard manure is the best, and the dosage is 0.5~0.8m3 per mu. Organic compound fertilizer with an effective content of 25% N, P, and K suitable for pollution-free use can also be used, 50~60Kg per mu.

The row spacing for seedling planting varies depending on the variety, specifically Hull, Chester, Brazos and Triple Crown: 250 cm×150 cm; Boysen and Navaho: 180~200 cm×130~150 cm;:Young :150~170 cm×120~130 cm.

Specific methods for planting seedlings: It is best to dig trenches or dig holes in winter. After trenching or digging holes, the filler should be put in immediately, and 1/2~2/3 of the soil should be returned before planting. When planting seedlings, apply the base fertilizer evenly into the ditch or hole, mix it with the soil, and then add the soil. When planting seedlings, the root system should not contact the fertilizer. The depth of planting seedlings should be such that the root neck of the seedlings is planted into the soil.

Irrigation: The root water should be poured thoroughly. In case of drought, water needs to be rehydrated 2 to 3 times.

Drainage and irrigation systems should be established in plantations, especially in large areas. The drainage and irrigation system depends on the topography. Generally, a row of irrigation ditches is opened 50 to 100 meters vertically and horizontally. The width and depth of the ditch are preferably 60 to 80 cm.

5 Scaffolding

Shelf materials and specifications: cement piles or wooden piles. The specifications of cement piles vary by type, specifically Hull, Chester, Brazos and Triple Crown: 7cm×9cm ×230~250cm; Boysen and Navaho: 6 cm×8cm×210~230cm; :Young: 6cm×7cm×190~210cm. The thickness of the wooden pile is 6~8cm and the length is 200~250cm; the iron wire should be No. 12~14.

Bracket spacing: 5~6m.

Erection time: It can be carried out after planting, no later than the end of the year.

Pulling wire: Pull two wires in the first year, the first wire is 50cm~60cm from the ground, the second wire is 50cm from the first wire; in the second year, pull the third wire when trimming. Iron wire, the third wire is 50cm away from the second wire.

6 Conventional management

6.1 Cultivating, weeding and mulching

Depending on the weed damage, generally cultivating and weeding are performed 3 to 5 times a year. If possible, straw and other crop straws can be used to cover the entire garden with a thickness of 8~12cm. The coverage time is generally in early spring, that is, mid-to-late February to early March. If covered, there is no need for cultivating or weeding throughout the year.

6.2 Fertilization

6.2.1 Top dressing

Fertilize according to the seedlings. If the field is flourishing, the top dressing should be mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. For fields with poor growth, it should be fertilized. Apply more nitrogen fertilizer.

Fertilizers are mainly quick-acting fertilizers and are generally applied three times a year. The first fertilization is from late March to mid-April, that is, when branches sprout after germination, and the fertilizer is mainly nitrogen fertilizer; the second fertilization is in early to mid-May, that is, the fruit expansion period after fruit setting, and nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer or compound fertilizer should be used. Mainly; the third time is in August, that is, after the fruits mature (it is best to have the fruiting branches and vines cut off and cleaned out of the garden), mainly compound fertilizer.

Type and quantity of fertilizer: urea 10Kg/mu, diammonium phosphate 20Kg/mu, potassium sulfate 30~40Kg/mu.

Application method: Furrow application or hole application. After the fertilizer is applied, the soil should be covered. If the soil moisture is poor, top dressing should be combined with watering.

6.2.2 Fertilization in winter

When fertilizing in winter, the distance between the trench and the plant should be more than 60cm, and the width and depth of the trench should be 20 to 30cm. Fertilizer should be mainly farmyard manure, with a dosage of 1.0~1.5m3 per mu, or 80~100kg of organic compound fertilizer with an effective content of N, P and K of 25% per mu.

6.3 Drought resistance and drainage

Hilly areas mainly resist drought in late autumn. When there is a general drought, irrigation should be done once every 10 days. Each irrigation should be thorough. If covered, it can be irrigated once every 20 days. . Plains or low-lying areas should pay attention to drainage during the rainy season (Meiyu season in the Yangtze River Basin) and avoid prolonged waterlogging.

6.4 Prevention and Control of Diseases and Pests

Do a good job in investigating pests and diseases to achieve early prevention and control. Prevention and control of diseases and insect pests should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of no pollution.

6.5 Pruning and kidnapping

Summer topping: Generally in early summer when sprouting occurs and grows rapidly, topping occurs when the height of the sprouting branches reaches 1.0~1.2m. After topping, the sprouting branches should be fixed on the wire.

Remove dead branches and vines after fruiting: Generally in July and August (different varieties vary), the sprouting branches and side branches of the previous year are removed from the roots. The dead branches should be removed from the blackberry garden.

Winter pruning: carried out from early December to early February. The key points of pruning are as follows: (1) Cut off dead branches and branches damaged by diseases and insect pests; (2) Remove thin and weak branches and overly dense branches; (3) Short-cut the remaining strong and substantial branches; (4) Cut off the pruned branches. The branches are evenly tied to the wire. Generally, 8 to 12 strong branches are left per plant, with an average length of 100 to 120cm.

Tie the branches and vines to wires immediately after pruning. Each branch needs to be spread out, and multiple branches must not be tied together.

6.6 Fruit Harvesting

Blackberry berries have different maturity periods and must be harvested in batches, usually once every 2 to 3 days. The most striking feature of ripe blackberry fruit is the coloration of the berry surface. The fruit surface gradually turns from green at first, to red, and finally to black and shiny. The harvesting of blackberries depends on the use, transportation distance and conditions. They are usually harvested at nine ripeness when sold as fresh fruit; when transported over long distances or canned, they can be harvested at eight ripeness; when the fruit is used for processing fruit wine, juice, and jam Harvest when fully mature.