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The United States is the leader in commercial blackberry cultivation. It is there that its best varieties are created. Unfortunately, domestic selection does not pay due attention to this wonderful culture. The American blackberry variety Black Magic (Black Magic) is considered one of the best.
History of breeding
The Black Magic blackberry variety was created at Oregon State University in 2003 by James Moore and John Clark. Black Magic is a hybrid of Arapaho blackberry and APF-12 numbered variety. His tests took place in the states of Arkansas and Carolina. It’s actually a numbered variety, the patent lists it as the APF 77 form, and Black Magic is nothing more than a pretty trade name.
Description of berry culture
The remont blackberry Black Magic is a typical blackberry. Domestic gardeners note that the culture is remarkable not only for its consumer qualities and resistance to adverse factors. The variety is very decorative and decorates the garden from spring to late autumn.
General idea of the variety
Black Magic Blackberry grows quickly and forms a medium dense bush. With timely and correct formation, it will be neat, compact. Shoots, like all kumaniks, grow straight. Last year’s ones reach 2,5 m, annual ones – 1,5 m. Already a month after the start of the growing season, young lashes reach a meter.
There are thorns on the shoots, but they are few. In the fruit-bearing zone, the spines are rare, and they are absent on the fruits (fruit twigs). This variety Black Magic compares favorably with other remontant blackberries, which are characterized by the presence of sharp aggressive thorns along the entire length of the shoot.
Black Magic is capable of producing 5-10 replacement shoots (root offspring) per year. Their number depends on the power of the bush. To obtain a large number of shoots, the blackberry root system is specially damaged by a shovel bayonet.
Berries
Black Magic Blackberry forms large, up to 4 cm in diameter, white flowers. The manufacturer of the variety in the description declares that they are collected 6 or 7 in a bunch. Perhaps, in the conditions of North America, this is true, but in our country, and even with good care, the flowers are grouped in 5-12 pieces.
Blackberry berries of the Black Magic variety are large, black, glossy. They have a beautiful shape of an elongated oval or cone and a dense cap. The weight of one berry is 6-7 g.
The taste is excellent, its tasting score is 5 points. The variety is considered dessert and one of the sweetest. The aroma is strong, blackberry. Experts distinguish notes of blackcurrant in it. Good flavor comes not from sweetness (there are varieties that outperform Black Magic blackberries), but from the excellent balance of sugar and acid.
This variety is self fertile. It is pollinated by its own pollen and does not require the obligatory planting of other representatives of the culture nearby.
Characterization
The remontant blackberry variety Black Magic has been grown on the territory of the countries of the former Soviet Union for enough time for domestic gardeners to form their own opinion about it. Let’s just say that the reviews are mostly from very good to excellent. A certain fly in the ointment is brought in by gardeners who have not fully understood the characteristics of the variety.
We will try not only to talk about growing Black Magic blackberries, but also to consider the most common mistakes.
Main advantages
The Black Magic variety managed to show itself well when grown in Our Country, but it fully revealed its potential in the southern regions. It is recommended for open and closed ground – greenhouses, film tunnels.
The Black Magic Blackberry adapts well to various climates and soils. Its drought tolerance is high. Just do not think that the variety can grow without watering, especially in the south.
Error # 1. The Black Magic blackberry’s characteristic of being drought tolerant only means that it needs less watering than other varieties. The culture is moisture-loving and it needs water in large quantities.
In the southern regions, Black Magic blackberry sets a second crop even at high temperatures (29-32⁰ C). Other remontant varieties do not pollinate in such heat or form a few small berries that can dry out before reaching maturity.
Blackberry frost resistance Black Magic is low – 12-13 degrees. Wherever it is grown, the bush will have to be insulated for the winter.
The shoots of the Black Magic variety are covered with rare, not very sharp thorns. They are few in fruit-bearing areas. Fruit twigs are generally devoid of thorns.
Error # 2. Sometimes gardeners who have never grown blackberries before plant Black Magic. After reading the description, they expect that the thorns of the plant will be the same as those of raspberries. A collision with reality can cost a few drops of blood and disappointment in the variety. Before criticizing Black Magic, we advise you to “get acquainted” with the thorns of another remontant blackberry.
The transportability of Black Magic berries is estimated by the originator as average. In our conditions, it is much higher. It is possible that local conditions influence the consistency of Black Magic blackberries. In America, the disadvantages include the fact that some fruits turn red during storage.
Flowering period and ripening period
Black Magic Blackberry is characterized by early awakening and abundant flowering. The first buds on last year’s shoots open by the end of April or the beginning of May (depending on the region). On the growth of the current year, flowering begins in late June or early July.
Blackberry Black Magic remontant. This means that it can produce two crops a year. The first – on last year’s shoots at the beginning of summer, the second – on young growth, ripens, depending on the region, by the end of summer or the beginning of autumn.
Yield indicators, fruiting terms
In the first year after planting, the Black Magic blackberry variety produces 3-4 kg of berries on last year’s shoots, and from 200 g to 1 kg on young growth. In the future, the yield of the early and late periods levels off and increases to 8-9 kg per bush.
The Black Magic blackberry variety can be grown as a non-remontant crop. To do this, some gardeners generally cut out all the lashes under the root in the fall and get one crop. It ripens on the shoots of the current year, and earlier than if the blackberry bears fruit twice.
The blackberry picking time has been extended. Fruiting usually lasts about a month and a half. The Black Magic blackberry is well adapted to our conditions and is able to set berries even at the peak of the heat.
In open ground, with two collections, the first fruiting occurs at the end of June – July, the second – from the end of August. When growing Black Magic blackberries as a crop that yields only on the growth of the current year, the berries begin to sing at the end of July.
In closed ground, the first crop is harvested in May.
Error # 3. Wanting to have two crops, residents of cooler climates grow Black Magic blackberries as a remontant. As a result, some of the berries do not have time to ripen. The harvest turns out to be meager – for dessert blackberries it is already small compared to more acidic varieties. Gardeners forget that the total weight of Black Magic berries harvested during the season will be the same whether you grow a crop as a remontant or fruiting once.
What can be advised? If you live in the south or grow blackberries indoors, harvest two crops. Residents of the northern regions should think about whether they need a remontant variety? Wouldn’t it be better to harvest one but bountiful harvest of sweet dessert berries?
Scope of berries
Black Magic blackberries are the tastiest. This is the opinion of most gardeners with experience in growing crops. It is best to eat them fresh. If you have several bushes, then jam, juice or wine will turn out fragrant, healthy and tastier than those made from raspberries.
The keeping quality of Black Magic blackberry berries in cool conditions is up to three days.
Disease and pest resistance
The Black Magic blackberry is resistant to pests and most diseases. In particular, it is extremely rarely affected by brown rust, but anthracnose is moderately affected.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of blackberry Black Magic are undeniable. This wonderful variety showed itself well when grown in different regions of Our Country and neighboring countries. It should be noted:
- Variety Black Magic – remontant. But in the northern regions it can be grown as a fruit-bearing plant once.
- Good taste of berries, rated 5 points.
- Possibility of cultivation in the open and closed ground.
- Drought tolerance – berries set even at high temperatures.
- High adaptability of the variety to adverse growing conditions.
- Resistance to diseases and pests.
- When growing a variety as a fruit-bearing crop once, the bush can not be covered for the winter.
- For a dessert variety, Black Magic blackberry productivity is high.
- Fruiting occurs not only on last year’s growth, but also on the shoots of the current season.
- The culture has few thorns, and fruit formations are generally devoid of thorns.
The variety has disadvantages, but they are insignificant and cannot outweigh the advantages:
- Insufficient winter hardiness.
- Although there are few spikes, they are still there.
- The inability to grow Black Magic blackberries in the northern regions as a remontant crop – most of the fruits of the second crop do not have time to ripen.
- The shoots of the variety are powerful and do not bend well – it is difficult to remove them from the support and cover them for the winter.
Methods of reproduction
Elite varieties of blackberries are expensive, they are snapped up quickly. This is due to the fact that culture in Our Country was not widespread before, but now its merits are appreciated. Self-cultivation of blackberries, especially kumaniki, to which the Black Magic variety belongs, is not difficult.
- It is easiest to transplant root offspring. To increase their number, the blackberry root is deliberately damaged with a spade bayonet.
- You can dig a layer. It will take root quickly.
- Pulping (reproduction by the tops of the shoots) also gives good results.
- Cuttings root well.
- You can divide an adult, well-grown bush.
- The largest number of plants can be independently obtained using root cuttings for propagation.
Rules of landing
Black Magic blackberries are planted in the same way as other varieties. It is important to choose a suitable place and buy a good seedling.
Recommended dates
In the south, blackberries are recommended to be planted in autumn, in extreme cases – in early spring.
Error # 4. If it is said – “as a last resort”, then it is undesirable. Suppose you were given a seedling in the spring, do not throw it away. Or a neighbor decided to remove the growth after the snow melted, and the choice is as follows – the plant will be on your site or on a compost heap. Then it’s worth the risk. But southerners should not buy blackberries in the spring – there is a high probability that it simply will not take root.
In the northern regions and temperate climates, the crop is planted in the fall.
Choosing the right place
Blackberries need a sunny, wind-sheltered spot. Groundwater should not come closer than 1-1,5 m to the surface. The Black Magic variety is remontant; in the southern regions, with repeated flowering and fruiting, it may need shading.
Blackberry is a moisture-loving crop. This must be taken into account when planting, as well as the fact that its roots lie deeper than those of raspberries, and their stagnant water is unacceptable.
The Black Magic variety is more adapted to different soils than other blackberries. But still, he prefers to grow on loams with a slightly acidic soil reaction, generously flavored with organic matter.
Soil Preparation
The landing pit is prepared in advance. It is better to dig it up at least 2 weeks before planting blackberries. Since this culture has a rather deep root, the size of the pit should be approximately 50x50x50 cm. The fertile top layer of the earth is mixed with a bucket of humus, phosphorus (120-150 g) and potash (40-50 g) fertilizers. Sand is added to dense soil, lime is excessively acidic, and sour (red) peat is alkaline.
The planting hole is filled ¾ with a fertile mixture and filled with water.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
To get a good, productive plant, the choice of planting material must be approached responsibly. First of all, pay attention to the root system. It should be well developed, with 2-3 thick shoots and a large number of fibrous, tangled hair-like roots.
When buying seedlings in autumn, the wood of the shoots should be well matured, without cracks and wrinkles. Spring bushes may have thin green twigs, especially if propagation was carried out not by root suckers or by dividing an adult plant, but by cuttings.
Blackberry preplant preparation consists of watering the container plant or soaking the open root system for 12 hours.
Algorithm and landing scheme
After you have prepared the landing pit and let it settle, proceed in the following sequence:
- In the center of the recess, form a tubercle from the soil, place a blackberry on it, straighten the roots.
- Fill the hole with a nutrient mixture so that the root neck is covered with earth by 1,5-2 cm.
- Compact the soil well.
- Water the bush, spending at least a bucket of water per plant.
- Cut off the matured shoots, leaving 14-20 cm (some sources advise shortening the blackberry to 3-5 cm).
- Mulch acidic soil with humus, alkaline or neutral soil with acidic peat.
When planting several bushes, the distance between plants should be 1,0-1,5 m, in rows – 2,5-3,0 m.
Culture aftercare
The first time after planting, blackberries will need regular watering. Spend no less than 0,5 buckets per plant.
Growing principles
Blackberry variety Black Magic needs a garter. If you grow it as a remontant crop, you will need a T-shaped or multi-row trellis about 2,5 m high. Last year’s growth should be evenly tied up on one side, the young one on the other.
If the Black Magic variety is grown as a crop that bears fruit once, the support can be made simpler. It should be such that it is easy to first tie up young shoots, and then harvest.
Fruiting is affected by crop fertilization, pruning, and when growing a variety, as it ripens in two terms, shelter for the winter.
Necessary activities
Blackberries love moist soil, but overflows will not do her any good. Most water is needed during flowering and fruit formation. In the fall, moisture charging is sure to be done – it will help the plant to winter better.
If the soil was well fertilized before planting, in the first three years, nitrogen can be limited to early spring. Then, during the flowering period, blackberries are given a complete mineral complex, and in the fall – phosphorus-potassium top dressing. The Black Magic variety is remontant and bears fruit abundantly. In the summer you need to do foliar top dressing. Since blackberries often suffer from chlorosis, chelates must be added to the fertilizer bottle.
It is better to replace weeding with mulching, but after harvesting it is advisable to loosen the soil by 5-8 cm.
shrub pruning
A feature of the Black Magic variety is that it is able to bear fruit on the growth of the current season. This blackberry can be grown as a one-time crop, which is justified in regions with a cool climate and short summers. In this case, at the end of the season, all shoots are cut at ground level.
In the south and when growing crops in closed ground at the end of autumn, last year’s shoots are completely cut into a ring, and young ones are shortened to about one and a half meters. The following spring, 7-10 well-overwintered branches are left. The growing side shoots are shortened, leaving no more than 50 cm. This contributes to the formation of a large number of fruit branches. For the same purpose, young shoots that will bear fruit in autumn and next summer, as soon as they reach a length of 0,9-1,2 m, are shortened by cutting off 10 cm of the top.
Preparation for winter
If you’re growing Black Magic blackberries as a one-time crop, prune them back in the fall. Some just mow bushes. Cover the planting with a thick layer of humus and forget about it until spring. When the snow starts to melt, do not forget to open the bushes.
It is difficult to cover the Black Magic variety grown as a remontant crop. This blackberry has powerful, naughty shoots that are reluctant to remove from the trellis and do not bend well. And yet it must be done. Then the branches are fixed on the ground and covered with spruce branches or agrofiber, sprinkled with a layer of soil of 10-12 cm.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
The blackberry is generally more resistant to diseases and pests than its closest relative, the raspberry. The Black Magic variety is no exception, but it is sometimes affected by anthracnose. To reduce the likelihood of this disease, place the beds away from the blackberries. This is especially true for nightshade crops and strawberries.
In order to prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases, treat blackberries immediately after removing the shelter and before winter with a copper-containing preparation.
Conclusion
The Black Magic blackberry variety is one of the best. In the south and indoors, it can be grown as an industrial plant. In cool climates, it has proven to be an excellent crop for private gardens.
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