Blackberry Orcan

Blackberry Orcan was developed in Poland in the last century. It is believed that this country is the birthplace of many other varieties of blackberries. However, it should be noted that it is the blackberry of this variety in our country that is considered the most popular, Orkan seedlings are sold on a huge scale, and very often this blackberry is also grown industrially. The variety is quite fruitful, the blackberry is large-fruited, and the berries always ripen very early, which is why gardeners love this variety.

Blackberry Orcan: variety description and characteristics

Blackberry Orcan: photos

This blackberry variety was obtained by crossing the English and American varieties, with the addition of some other types of blackberries. The popularity of the Orcan variety in our country is also explained by the fact that this culture is adapted for growing in a temperate continental climate. Blackberries are very resistant and adapt well to the surrounding growing conditions. The berries ripen early enough, the shoots of the plants are powerful and thick. There are no thorns on the stems, so harvesting is easy and not traumatic. Shoots can grow up to 3 m in height, the stems recover well. Blackberries begin to bloom in mid-May, and already at the end of June, the first berries are formed on the shoots, so you can eat berries early enough. In cool regions, the berries ripen in the middle of summer, however, these dates are considered quite early. The leaves are oblong in shape, usually the berries are of the same size, blackberries are considered large-fruited. The fruit is naturally black in color. The taste of Orcan blackberry is excellent, the berries are sweet and sour, aromatic. Cultivation is easy and simple.

Advantages and disadvantages of Orcan blackberry

Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the Orcan blackberry is no exception. If we talk about the advantages of culture, then it should be noted: these plants are very resistant. They are not afraid of pests and diseases, the fruits are always fragrant and tasty, moreover, the berries are very large. There are no thorns on the shoots, so harvesting is easy. Also, the culture does not need to be looked after too much. The yield of blackberries is high. You can easily collect about 5 kg of ripe and fragrant fruits from one bush, of course, you will notice, other varieties of blackberries have higher yields, but it is this variety that combines quantitative and qualitative characteristics well. Cold resistance in plants is also good, blackberries tolerate both winter and summer normally. However, if you have little snow in your region, and the air temperature reaches -30, then it is necessary to cover the blackberry bushes for the winter. If we talk about the shortcomings of culture, then it should be noted. The commercial and taste qualities are sometimes lost in berries if it is cool and rainy during the fruiting of the plants. If you grow blackberries on a land that is poor enough, the plants will lack calcium, phosphorus and potassium, then the berries can also be bland, and the pleasant aroma will also be lost. Therefore, one should not forget about feeding. Another disadvantage is that you need to be careful during transportation. Ripe berries can deform and lose their attractive appearance, so if you need to transport berries over long distances, then pick them a little unripe.

Blackberry Orcan: landing

Blackberry Orcan: photos

In order to plant the Orcan Blackberry, you first need to choose the right site.The place should be well lit by the sun, remember also that blackberries do not like cold winds. You can plant this plant in partial shade. If we talk about planting plants, then you need to take into account the specific climatic conditions. So if you live in the southern region, then you can plant a blackberry in the fall, but if your area has a cool climate, then it is better to plant a blackberry in the spring, so that the shrub has time to get stronger before winter, and take root well. It is undesirable to plant blackberries in lowlands, as moisture usually stagnates there, and groundwater lies close to the surface. If waterlogging is too long, then the shrub can not only grow and develop poorly, but even die altogether. Speaking about the composition of the soil, it should be noted: blackberries are not very demanding on this indicator, but it is best to plant plants on fertile soils, neutral. In an acidic environment, blackberries do not develop well. Therefore, if the acidity of the soil is increased in your area, then before planting, add a little wood ash or lime to the soil. If you are planting several shrubs, then keep a distance, retreat 2 m in the aisle, orient the rows from north to south, but between the bushes themselves you can retreat a little less, one meter at a time. If the size of the site allows, then increase the distance between the plants. Planting holes are dug about half a meter deep, usually they are formed in advance. Superphosphate and potassium sulfate, as well as humus and compost are added to the soil mixture. Blackberries are considered a real long-liver, so choose the right planting spots right away. In a favorable climate, this plant is able to effectively develop and bear fruit for 30 years, and the yield will always remain high. These bushes have a well-developed root system, as well as powerful shoots. Seedlings are placed in planting holes, well spread the roots. Sprinkle the soil mixture carefully, so as not to damage the roots. After you plant the plants, water the mounds and cover the soil surface. After planting, the plants are recommended to be cut.

Blackberry Orcan: care

Blackberry Orcan: video about the variety

As we noted earlier, the Orcan blackberry is considered an unpretentious plant, however, certain agrotechnical rules still need to be observed. Only in this case will the yield be high and the quality of the fruit will be good. As we noted earlier, it will be necessary to water the blackberry bushes quite intensively. For the first time, the seedlings are watered immediately after planting the plants in open ground. After that, young plants are recommended to be watered twice every six to seven days. If at the same time an earthen crust begins to form, then loosen the soil. Do not forget to weed the area, the weeds take not only nutrients, but also moisture. The plants are not watered so intensively, usually one watering per week is enough for mature blackberry bushes. Moisture must penetrate well into the soil, therefore, the soil must be loosened in a timely manner, so that the structure of the earth is air and water-permeable. Blackberries are usually cut in the fall, removing the stems that have borne fruit. Young growth will also need to be cut in a timely manner, it interferes with the development of the main bush. On each bush, it is recommended to leave no more than 7 powerful and strong branches, shoots. In the summer, you can shorten their tops by cutting off the stems by a few centimeters. Thus, you can stimulate the formation of new side branches, which means that the yield of blackberries will also increase. In early spring, before the start of sap flow, do not forget about sanitary pruning, all frozen and deformed shoots must be removed, they interfere with the development of plants, fruiting crops. It is considered the easiest way to prune plants that are grown on poles, so try this method of cultivating your crop.For supports, you can adapt a metal pipe, as well as a wire that is pulled between the rows. Biennial and annual shoots will definitely need to be divided, directed along the supports in diametrically opposite directions. It is also easier to prepare bushes for wintering by growing in this way. The fact is, you can easily form the slope of the branches immediately after they begin to develop, grow. But in the fall, it is more problematic to carry out this procedure, since the shoots during this period of time become more fragile and thick. If your site has a sufficiently fertile and nutritious soil, then you will need to start feeding the plant from the age of three. An adult Orcan blackberry bush needs a lot of humus, compost, mineral and organic fertilizers, since these components directly affect the taste of the berries. That is why it is recommended to scatter compost over the site in early spring, as well as apply urea under the bushes. It is undesirable to add chlorine-containing top dressing to the soil, but potash fertilizers have a good effect on the development and growth of shrubs. Before wintering, the stems of the plant must be removed from the supports and covered. If the winter in your region is not very snowy, but this procedure is required, otherwise the plant may die during the winter. Shoots must be bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches or straw. It is believed that it is good to cover the shrub with snow, so if possible in winter, scoop it up to the shrub. It is best to use any breathable material for protection, suitable for shelter and agrofiber.

Blackberry Orcan: reproduction

You can propagate the Orcan blackberry in different ways. This variety practically does not form root shoots, therefore, it will not be possible to separate new shoots from the mother bush. However, other vegetative breeding methods are quite effective. Often, gardeners root the tops of the shoots, for this they are usually bent to the ground, fixed with staples and covered with soil, while the upper part of the shoot should remain free. In the next season, the plants usually root well, so this part of the shoot can be separated and transplanted. This blackberry also reproduces well through cuttings. Usually, the shoots are harvested in advance, the cuttings should be about 15 cm long. The lower part of the shoots is treated with a growth stimulator in order to enhance the process of root formation. But it is recommended to plant cuttings in a mixture of sand and peat. The containers are covered with foil in order to create a favorable microclimate, but do not forget to moisten the soil in time. If you are going to transplant a mature bush, then you can divide it. On each part, powerful roots should remain, as well as two or three shoots. Usually, already mature bushes are divided by this method. As you can see, there are many ways to breed blackberries.

Conclusion

Blackberry Orcan: video

Blackberry Orcan is considered a wonderful variety of blackberry, the berries are always tasty and aromatic, and the yield is high. The fruit's appearance is also excellent. Blackberries of the Orcan variety begin to bloom in late spring, and bear fruit in July. The berries are slightly oblong, rather large. Sweet to taste. Orcan blackberries can be used to make juice, make jam, this berry is processed as well as consumed fresh, and also frozen. It is believed that this wonderful product slows down the aging process and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. The culture is unpretentious, so blackberries can be grown in different regions. Also, Orcan blackberry always perfectly adapts to new conditions.