Blackberries
Blackberries are vigorous
and exceptionally spiny, hardy perennial cane fruits belonging to
the genus Rubus .The species and hybrids listed below are grown
for dessert, bottling, tarts, jam and wine.
Blackberries prefer
deep, moist and rich loam but are adaptable to light sands and stiff
clays, given free drainage and freedom from perennial weeds. Incorporate
bulky organic such as farmyard manure, compost, shoddy, and feed with
fish- or meat-meal and sulphate of potash. Correct iron deficiency
on soils containing free lime by dressings of iron.
Planting sites subject
to frost are suitable as flowering is late, in early July. Provide
shelter from strong winds for the brittle laterals and tie them into
training-wires.
Cultivation Plant
first-year plants, shortened to 23cm (10in) in the autumn at up to
3.6cm (12ft) apart, against walls or fences or posts and wires. Train
the young replacement shoots has established plants to one side of,
or above, the fruiting canes to prevent contamination with fungus
diseases. Cut out fruited shoots after harvest.
Propagate by tip
layering in June or July, by leaf bud cuttings in August or by rooted
suckers in the autumn.
Control greenfly,
capsid bug, raspberry beetle and cane spot and destroy plants
infected with crown gall.
Apple tree
Apricots
Blackberries
Cherries
Gooseberries
Grapes
Loganberry
Peaches and Nectarines
Pears
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries