Blackberry cherokee

Blackberries can be increasingly found in many household plots, since the bushes themselves are relatively unpretentious, and the harvest is quite abundant and tasty. But this will largely also depend on which variety the gardener planted on his site, as well as on how he complied with all the requirements of agricultural technology. In this article, we will take a closer look at the American blackberry variety called the Cherokee blackberry. We will tell you about the features of growing Cherokee blackberries, about the main characteristics of this variety. The article will be of interest to both inexperienced gardeners and those who have already grown these fruit and berry bushes on their site, but still strive to expand the boundaries of varietal varieties.

Blackberry Cherokee: variety description, origin

Blackberry Cherokee: photos

I would like to start by saying that blackberries are a deciduous shrub that was originally grown commercially in the United States of America and also in Mexico. As a variety, Cherokee was obtained at the American University of Arkansas in 1974, and since then it has gradually begun to gain popularity not only in the United States, but throughout the world. This variety belongs to the studded varieties, but domestic gardeners are still inclined to believe that the Cherokee blackberry is a studless variety. According to gardeners' reviews, a small number of thorns are formed on the shoots and branches, and therefore they are almost invisible when caring for the plant.

The blackberry is one of the closest relatives of the raspberry. In addition to the fact that they have the same flowering and taste, the berries differ in that the blackberry has no cavity from the inside, but the raspberry has this cavity, and that is why it is much easier to pick the raspberry berries from the peduncle. Most gardeners as well as breeders melt this description of the Cherokee blackberry variety:

• this bush is upright, its height can reach one and a half meters, sometimes more
• shoots are very attractive in that a small number of thorns are formed on them. It so happens that shoots and branches can be generally thornless.
• the berries of the Cherokee blackberry are quite large in size. The weight of one berry reaches five grams. When compared with other varieties from the same subgroup, then, in principle, the berries are really large. In addition, they have a very bright sweet taste, the sourness of the variety is insignificant, but still present. But it does not spoil the taste at all, and the berries can be eaten immediately after being removed from the bush, directly fresh.

Cherokee blackberries are self-fertile and do not need pollinators to be planted nearby. The berries ripen quite early, the yield reaches fifteen kilograms from one blackberry bush. The berries perfectly tolerate long-distance transportation, and can also be stored for a long time without losing their decorative external characteristics and taste. For many years that this variety grows on personal plots, it has already earned the recognition and love of gardeners. The Cherokee blackberry has several significant virtues. The variety gives a high level and abundant harvest, the berries have an excellent, very sweet and attractive taste; berry transportability is high; during transportation, they do not lose either their external characteristics or taste; you can plant bushes close to each other, especially if the planting site is small - the bushes will not feel somehow bad from this, react negatively to this form of planting; the variety is completely unpretentious to planting conditions, so this is another strong point of this plant.

But it is also worth saying that, like any culture, Cherokee blackberries also have some disadvantages.Among them, an average level of frost resistance can be distinguished, and it is for this reason that plants must be carefully prepared and covered for winter if the plantings are grown in the middle zone of our country. The climate there is not the most stable, winters can be very harsh, moreover, there is a high probability that frosts will return in spring. The blackberry should be sheltered from these influences so that the bush does not freeze, and so that it gives a normal and tasty harvest.

Blackberry Cherokee: photos

Blackberry culture can be divided into two main groups. The first group is plants that have erect branches (kumanika) and plants that have a creeping type of bush - this group is called dewweeds. Each variety has its own requirements for planting and subsequent care, which must be taken into account. As for the Cherokee variety, it belongs to the first group of plants - kumaniks.

The place for planting Cherokee blackberries must be very well lit, and it must also be protected from too harsh gusts of wind and from drafts, as they can cause irreparable damage to the planting. Frequent flooding of plantings can also lower the plant's immunity, its winter hardiness, and therefore the risk of picking up a fungus or infection in plants increases. It is also not recommended to plant blackberries in the vicinity of crops such as raspberries and gooseberries, strawberries and strawberries, as well as some nightshade crops. This should not be done due to the fact that blackberries can pick up the same diseases and infections that the above crops suffer from. There are also a large number of subtleties in the treatment, so it is better not to allow the disease at all, so that the bush does not die or receive severe injuries.

Best of all, Cherokee blackberries adapt, take root and grow in rich humus areas. The soil there must be very loose, permeable in terms of air and moisture. As for the acidic reaction, it can be neutral or slightly acidic. Carbonate soils should also be avoided, as Cherokee blackberries can develop chlorosis in them. Even despite the fact that this blackberry variety does not need pollinating varieties and, accordingly, cross-pollination, planting some varieties nearby will increase yields, and the berries will become much tastier and more attractive in terms of useful properties.

You can plant Cherokee brambles along fences or near building walls. But it should be borne in mind that the indent from the wall to the plant should be about one meter. Plots that are located on the southern slopes, as well as in the southwest of buildings, are also suitable. But the plant must be safe, so as not to be in too strong winds, and so that strong direct sunlight does not bake on the blackberries.

How to grow a Cherokee blackberry variety

Blackberry Cherokee: photo of the variety

In most cases, in the regions, it is worth planting Cherokee blackberries in spring, as it is considered the most favorable for rooting and adaptation of blackberries to new conditions. The lack of frost resistance of this variety can make the autumn planting of this variety problematic, and it will be possible only in the southern regions. If a seedling is planted in the spring, then during the spring and summer period it will have time to successfully take root in new conditions, will have time to gain strength and energy, which means that the blackberry will survive the winter much easier.

As for the planting material, you can use seedlings on which one or two shoots are located, their thickness should be about five millimeters. The root planting system should be perfectly developed, there should be no signs of rotting or mold on it, otherwise it will indicate that the plant is already infected with certain bacteria, which means that the plant simply will not survive the planting.Plants are best bought in specialized stores, as well as in nurseries that specialize in propagating and distributing blackberries and other fruit and berry crops. It is such centers and shops, nurseries that will be able to guarantee that the characteristics of the acquired plant correspond to the desired variety and result. Root cuttings, which are cut off from the mother bush, are also suitable for planting. Blackberries can also be propagated using rooted cuttings.

The distance between the blackberry bushes of the Cherokee variety should be from one to one and a half meters, and if suddenly the gardener will plant the blackberries not in one row, but in several at once, then the distance between the rows must also be at least two meters. As for the size of the planting pit, which is intended for blackberries, its standard parameters should be 40x40x40 centimeters. In order to fill the hole, you can use a soil mixture that the gardener can prepare on his own. To do this, he mixes rotted manure, superphosphate, potash dressings.

Of course, you can try to grow a blackberry bush using seed, then it will definitely be able to preserve the characteristics of the variety. But at the same time, the harvest will have to wait for a long time - from three to four years, no less. Planting must also comply with a phased algorithm, because it is very important to follow the rules of agricultural technology, otherwise the plant will not give the result and growth that the gardener would like to achieve.

The algorithm consists of the following aspects:

• the soil that was prepared in advance must be poured onto the bottom of the prepared planting pit, and a little clean soil can be sprinkled on top. Otherwise, the delicate root system of the planting material can get burns, and this will lead to diseases of the bush and its possible death (very likely if the gardener cannot notice deviations in the growth or development of the planting in time)
• a seedling is carefully placed in the pit, the root system is straightened, the root buds should be located about four centimeters lower than the topsoil is located. Shoots can be shortened, leaving only twenty centimeters from their length. In general, shortening stops at the second or third fertile kidney.
• planting is carefully watered, it is recommended to mulch the trunk circle with compost or straw. Mulch generally plays a very significant role in the growth and development of the plant, so it is better to pay close attention to this moment so that the planting feels as comfortable as possible and quickly adapts to new conditions. Mulch allows moisture to evaporate more slowly, to keep the soil warm enough, and to protect the plant from attacks from pests.

The Cherokee blackberry needs the grower to constantly monitor soil moisture and air humidity. This culture calmly refers to dry periods, but nevertheless, in order for the bushes to give enough harvest, it is necessary to constantly moderately water this plant. Drought can lead to the fact that the growth and development of planting will become slower, and shoots will grow worse, the berries will not be so tasty and juicy. If the gardener does not observe moderation in watering, then fungal infections can occur due to an excess of moisture in the soil. Of course, this will also play a very negative role in the development of plants, so the gardener needs to find the very middle ground in watering so that the blackberries feel very good.

In order to maintain an optimal level of soil moisture, as well as reduce the growth of weeds, their number, you can mulch the tree trunk with a thick layer of organic components, which are just perfect for this. Care must be taken when a grower plans to loosen the soil under the bush.Loosening should not be very deep to about the center of the plant, otherwise mechanical damage to the root system can be provoked. As a result, very thorny shoots will begin to branch off from the plant, which will not only spoil the external characteristics of the planting, but also affect its health and successful growth and development. Approximately every two to three years, an adult plant must be fed in a complex manner. The following components can be used as top dressing - humus, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium fertilizer. In fact, the gramme here depends on the size of the site, as well as on the age of the plants themselves.

When Cherokee blackberries are just starting to form, potassium solution can be used for feeding. It is composed of potassium sulfate and water. Again, each feeding should be done according to the schedule, and the grower should comply with all gram and dose in accordance with the instructions for use of the fertilizer. Otherwise, top dressing will not only not give the desired result, but also cause even more damage to the plant. It is definitely worth carrying out both root dressing and foliar feeding. Foliar dressing is usually prescribed either in the early morning or already in the late evening, so that wet leaves do not get burned under the scorching sunlight.

Blackberry Cherokee: video

Cherokee blackberry pests and diseases

Despite the fact that the Cherokee blackberry is a plant whose immunity and stress resistance are always at a high level, one way or another, pests can sometimes attack the plant. These are raspberry beetles that damage absolutely all parts of the plant. Such a beetle can overwinter right in the ground, and in the early spring period it can feast on freshly blossomed gooseberries, cherries and currants. A little later, he flies on a blackberry, which can also be damaged from all sides. This bug is dangerous in that it is necessary to constantly fight with it, otherwise it will lead to the fact that the external characteristics of the landing itself will be irretrievably damaged. The second pest that attacks blackberries is the stem raspberry gall midge. It flies mainly during the flowering period of blackberries, lays its eggs directly in young shoots that have just begun to move away from the plant. When the larvae hatch, they crawl under the bark and begin to feed on the cambium. After that, on the shoots, with the naked eye, you can notice swellings that are completely atypical for a plant. In addition, adult individuals of gall midges can then winter in the swellings. These pests can negatively affect the growth and development of blackberries, and can also lead to the death of the plant.

Raspberry stem fly - this insect also harms mainly young shoots. The larvae can safely endure the winter right under the bush, and the adult insects begin to scatter by mid-May. When the larvae hatch from the eggs, they can gnaw the tops of the shoots, go down the stem, and may even penetrate the root system. When the shoot becomes infected, it begins to fade, it also changes its color - it becomes dark brown, almost black, painful. Then the shoot dries up altogether, and in this case it is necessary to immediately remove the shoot so that the infection does not go from it to other, still healthy parts of the plant.

Blackberry mite Is another typical pest of blackberry bushes. It is quite difficult to notice it with the naked eye. The mite hibernates inside the buds, as well as under the scales that cover the shoots and twigs of the plant. In spring, blackberry mites migrate towards young twigs, feed on flowers and berries, which immediately affects their external characteristics and qualities.Vital activity prevents individual drupes from ripening normally, and sometimes even whole berries are difficult to ripen, which can lead to the fact that part of the harvest will be lost. This is especially dangerous when the pests were discovered too late - because of this, there is a great risk that the gardener will simply lose his plants.

There is also a whole list of diseases that can be very dangerous for blackberry bushes. Anthracnose Is a very common disease. Anthroknosis is a disease caused by fungal spores. The whole plant can be affected by it, but leaves most of all suffer from anthracnose. Signs of the disease appear during prolonged precipitation, in rainy weather, and also if the gardener does not follow agricultural techniques, and the watering is excessive. Blackberries in particular do not tolerate this disease very well in excessively humid climates. Grayish specks appear on the leaves, then they acquire a border, the leaves turn into a shade of purple - the look as a whole turns out to be very unhealthy. At the site of damage, the leaf becomes so thin that a hole appears there. Also, fungi are transferred to the fruits, putrefactive sores begin to form on them, the berries grow poorly and crumble, which leads to an obvious loss of yield. In principle, you can take some measures to prevent fungus. For example, in the springtime, all branches that were affected during the winter are removed. If signs of infection are detected, the bush should be treated with fungicides and professional chemicals. It is imperative to study the instructions when using toxic substances, because if you do not follow its instructions, then you can harm not only the plant, but also your own health. For prophylaxis in the autumn, immediately after pruning the bush and digging the soil, it is worth spraying the bush and the territory with a solution based on Bordeaux liquid.

Bordeaux liquid is also great for treating a bush with it in early spring, before the growing stages and processes begin. Treatment with fungicides for prophylactic purposes must be carried out in the spring, before flowering. And the second time they are treated with fungicides when the new shoots reach about forty centimeters in length. You can also assign a third treatment, usually it is carried out already when the entire crop has been harvested and the plant is being prepared for wintering.

Also, blackberries can be affected by gray rot, brown and gray spots, rust and phyllostikosis. These fungal diseases manifest themselves almost identically to the manifestations of anthracnose, and they can be dealt with in the same way. After flowering is complete, it is best to treat the bushes with preparations that do not contain chemical components. It can be either biological drugs or alternative methods. By the way, some folk remedies really have a positive effect on planting, they strengthen them, increase the level of immunity and stress resistance indicators.

Didymella - this disease, as a rule, especially affects the buds and young shoots, atypical specks of purple color are immediately formed on them. By about the beginning of autumn, they can spread and cover almost the entire half of the shoot. Infected buds may not even swell and open, and if the shoots still grow a little, they will most likely be very weakened, and will not give a sufficient amount of the harvest, which was originally expected by the gardener himself. Also, didimella can become the reason why the shoots gradually die off, and the winter hardiness of the bushes decreases to almost zero. So you should definitely carefully examine the bushes for diseases in order to prevent their active spread and, accordingly, the death of the bush itself in the future.

Septoriasis - because of it, abundant whitish spots are formed on the leaves, which also have a brownish rim. In the center of these spots, black dots can subsequently form, which become the epicenter of fungal infection. Further, in the same place, a hole may form, which indicates that the fungus literally ate part of the leaf. Whitish spots also appear near the kidneys. If the infection has reached a more active stage, then the bark also acquires its former color, it exfoliates from the very base, the entire shoot dries up, becomes diseased, unviable. Also, planting can be affected by non-infectious chlorosis - it appears from the fact that the leaves and stems begin to actively turn yellow. Then they simply die off, the leaves themselves quickly crumble. The reason for chlorosis is that the planting suffers from a lack of carbonates, dressings, some components, and an excess of moisture in the soil may also be the reason. Here, the gardener himself can adjust the application of fertilizing, and he can also adjust the introduction of moisture into the soil under the shrub.

In order to carry out the prevention of diseases, it is extremely important to thin out the planting in a timely manner, to clear the weeds from the trunk circle, and also to remove damaged shoots. If the gardener has decided to deal with pests and diseases that have already manifested themselves, then he is recommended to use biological preparations. Among the most popular and common drugs, one can single out such as azophyte and phytocide, as well as vermistim, which perfectly fight diseases and pests, and are completely safe for the plant itself (if, of course, the gardener adheres to the instructions for use). It is best to limit the use of chemical protection, especially if the plant has already entered the fruiting stage. In the autumn, before the blackberry bushes are covered, it is necessary to process the bushes with the help of such preparations as copper sulfate, actellic. Foliage that has fallen out should be removed and destroyed outside the site. As you can see, all these measures depend solely on the gardener himself, who takes responsibility for the implementation of this activity and for his planting.

Pruning berries

Let's talk a little about how to prune a blackberry bush and tie up the bushes to maintain their condition. The Cherokee is an upright plant variety that is generally not particularly garter-hungry, as is usually the case with creeping and blackberry bush varieties. But if the gardener equips the trellises, then it will be much easier for him to divide those shoots that have already begun to bear fruit from young shoots. Then it will be much easier to care for the bush and it will also be much easier to harvest berries. In general, today there are several ways to tie a garter at once, and the gardener can choose for himself exactly the method that will best meet his needs and skills:

• split garter, in which the fruit-bearing shoots are directed in one direction, and the gardener separates the young shoots on the other side of the trellises
• fan-shaped way, in which branches with berries are unbend in turn both to the left and to the right, and new ones are allowed in the very center and wait for the very first berries to appear on them too
• garter ropes - with this method of blackberry garter, branches with berries are placed strictly along the stretched wire, and young branches are directed to the very center
• way of garter in waves - fruiting branches are located in the lower rows in a wave-like manner, and new ones are recommended to be placed along the upper rows. Of course, again, we repeat that, in general, there are no strict recommendations on how to tie up blackberries correctly, since every gardener can independently decide the style and method of garter for himself.

After the gardener has collected the entire crop, the branches that have just finished fruiting must be cut approximately at the level of the soil itself, without leaving hemp. Throughout the summer period, young twigs are tied up and pinched also in accordance with the scheme. It consists in observing several aspects. At about a height of eighty centimeters to one meter, you need to pinch a branch ten centimeters. Further, after the lateral branches have reached a length of half a meter to 60 centimeters, they can be shortened to forty centimeters. Such measures will help regulate the growth and development of the plant, as well as form its attractive shape and appearance. So that the bush is not unnecessarily overloaded, it is worth leaving from 4 to 5 replacement shoots annually, on which up to twelve viable buds have formed, and they remain on the lateral branch branches. Excess root growth must be cut out so that it does not thicken the bush, and does not complicate its growth and development.

How Cherokee blackberries tolerate wintering

Blackberry Cherokee: photos

The winter hardiness of the Cherokee blackberry variety can be assessed as average, and experienced gardeners explain this precisely by the fact that the plant needs special measures in order for the bush to calmly survive the winter. Erect shoots should be prepared in advance for winter shelter. It is best to fasten several small weights at the tops of the shoots around the end of August, which will gradually bend the shoots to the ground. If you do this immediately and abruptly, then there is a great risk of damaging the shoots and breaking them. If the bush gave not erect, but creeping shoots, then they should be left in the same position and carefully covered with spruce branches or agrofibre. In the spring, if necessary, it will be possible to replace those erect stems that have suffered as a result of wintering with these shoots. In the autumn, it is worth cutting off all damaged shoots, as well as those shoots that have borne fruit in the current season. In order to cover the plants, it is necessary to use humus or spruce branches, hay or sawdust. Blackberries are quite resistant to such a process as damping. To protect the planting from rodents and other pests, you can also put a small amount of poison between the shoots, which is just intended to combat such pests. The sprinkled shoots are covered with a film material, and when snow falls, it should be shoveled directly onto the covered shoots.

Many gardeners are worried about how this variety can be grown in the harsh Siberian conditions. This blackberry is planted only in the spring. In this case, sunlight should fall on the blackberry bushes throughout the day. Some experienced gardeners also recommend planting blackberries in greenhouses, because in such conditions the plant will be provided with a longer growing season, and then it is highly likely that absolutely the entire crop will be able to ripen to the end. It is best to build a greenhouse in a sunny location that will be protected from winds and drafts. Bushes in greenhouses are planted in several rows, a distance of one meter must be observed between the plants, and a distance of two meters, not less, must be observed between the rows. Then the plants will have enough room for growth and development, for the formation of a root system. Bushes must be covered with black spunbond. When blackberries grow in greenhouses, it is necessary to cover the shoots with the onset of winter to keep them warm.

In order to cover young shoots, it is necessary to tie these same shoots into small bundles, and then lay them in specially prepared and dug trenches. Next, the shoots are covered with spruce branches or sawdust, and a plastic wrap must be placed on top.Only thanks to such measures can the plant be saved from freezing, which means that the future harvest will also be saved from possible negative influences.

How are Cherokee blackberries stored?

Blackberry Cherokee: photos

Cherokee blackberries should be picked from the bushes when the berries have reached full ripeness. Blackberries are great to be eaten fresh and also to be processed later. If the gardener has decided that the harvested crop will be transported over long distances, then the berry should be harvested a few days before the crop reaches full maturity. The crop is only harvested in dry weather and it is recommended to harvest in the morning. The crop is easy to harvest because the shoots are not covered with thorns and the grower does not suffer any damage. The berries are neatly placed in a shallow container, and then they need to be cooled slightly.

At room temperature, Cherokee blackberries can be stored for about two days, but if you maintain low temperatures, as well as an air humidity of about 90%, then the berries can lie quietly, for example, for about two weeks. Blackberries can also be frozen, in which case they will retain their taste and useful characteristics and will be suitable for preparing a large number of dishes and desserts. In order to freeze blackberries, it should be borne in mind that there is a special technique for carrying out this process. The fruits are laid out in rows on a flat surface, and in this form are sent to freeze. After they freeze on the surface - on a board, a tray, then they are transferred to a container and sent back to the freezer. So, in general, it is worth freezing any types of berries so that they do not stick to each other, and so that later it is more convenient to use them for cooking and preserve their external characteristics. There is also an important point - the berries are distributed in disposable containers, since the blackberries will not tolerate repeated freezing - they will lose their external characteristics, lose their taste features, become generally tasteless and useless.

You can rub Cherokee blackberries with sugar - such a dish will retain many useful properties and vitamins, and it will also be an excellent addition to any tea party. For this method, even those berries are suitable that were initially rejected by the gardener himself for further use - for example, for freezing. To rub the berries, wash, grind one kilogram of berries with one kilogram of sugar. It turns out a delicious treat for children and adults. The berries are left in a dark, cool place for 10-12 hours, because you have to wait for the sugar to completely dissolve. Then this mixture is transferred to storage containers and sent to the refrigerator. You can also freeze this ground mixture to extend shelf life.

Conclusion

Blackberry Cherokee: photos

In general, the Cherokee blackberry is one of the modern varieties that has a high yield level as well as excellent taste characteristics. If you take care of the plant, maintain agricultural techniques and take care of the blackberries, then the Cherokee blackberries are suitable for growing in various regions and districts of our country.