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It is impossible to pass indifferently past a blackberry bush strewn with record-breaking large juicy fruits. But, before rushing to plant the same miracle in your garden, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the Kiev blackberry variety.
History of breeding
The blackberry variety Kiowa, or, as it is also called Kiowa, appeared two decades ago thanks to the efforts of breeders at the University of Arkansas, who crossed two experimental varieties, and received a blackberry that fully justified their hopes. The variety got its name in honor of one of the Indian tribes.
Photo of blackberry Kiev:
Description of berry culture
The berries of the Kiova variety are considered one of the largest among all blackberry varieties. This is what he won the hearts of gardeners.
General idea of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbKiev blackberry
Large-fruited blackberry Kiova belongs to late-ripening varieties. Blackberry bushes of this variety of upright type have upright shoots about one and a half meters high, sometimes even a little higher. Blackberry shoots and leaves are completely strewn with numerous sharp thorns.
The Kiowa blackberry bush is covered with abundant, emerald-colored foliage. Inflorescences are white, sometimes with a pink tint.
Berries
By the time of ripening, the berries of the Kiova variety become glossy black. The average weight of a berry is about 13 g, sometimes individual specimens reach 20 g. Oblong, round-shaped fruits taste sweet, with a slight sourness.
Seeds of a blackberry of Kiev of the average size. Especially note the amazing aroma of this variety, clearly reminiscent of its forest ancestors.
Characterization
Breeders have worked hard to create this variety. It consists of almost the same advantages.
Main advantages
The Kiova variety is frost-resistant, able to withstand up to -23C °. But when growing in the central region, it is better to play it safe and cover the bushes for the winter. It is important not to overdo it here so that the kidneys do not swell.
Juicy, but rather dense berries of the Kiowa blackberry are not afraid of transportation. They can be stored for several days without loss of presentation and taste.
Flowering period and ripening period
The flowering period of the Kiova blackberry variety is late, the fruits begin to ripen in mid-July. But it also depends on the region of landing, and climatic conditions.
Yield indicators, fruiting terms
The fruiting of the Kiowa blackberry is long, taking up to six weeks. The quality and size of the berries remain within the normal range until the end of the season. The variety is considered high-yielding; in the homeland, the Kiova blackberry yields vary between 4,5-6 t / ha. But, it must be emphasized that high performance can be achieved only with proper care and compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology.
Scope of berries
Blackberries are consumed both fresh and processed. From its fruits, wonderful-tasting jams, compotes, jams, tinctures, syrups, liqueurs are obtained. Kiowa blackberries are also used as a filling for pies. The blackberry of this variety is also valuable because, when frozen, the taste and shape of the berries are well preserved, as well as their beneficial properties.
Disease and pest resistance
Thanks to the efforts of breeders, the Kiowa blackberry is not afraid of fungal diseases. And if preventive treatments are carried out in time, then it is unlikely that pests will disturb her.
Advantages and disadvantages
The originators of the Kiova variety worked conscientiously on its creation, and blackberries have much more advantages than disadvantages. The advantages include:
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- wonderful taste of berries;
- large-fruited;
- good fruit transportability;
- frost resistance (applies only to the southern regions);
- fruiting duration.
Among the shortcomings, it should be noted:
- many sharp spikes;
- extended late ripening (this disadvantage does not allow growing this blackberry variety in regions with a harsh climate).
Methods of reproduction
The Kiova blackberry variety is propagated vegetatively, that is, shoots are rooted. At the same time, shallow grooves are made, and, having pinned the tops of the shoots, the rooting sites are carefully covered with earth.
During the warm season, they are watered, you can also feed growing seedlings with a solution of nitrophoska.
Rules of landing
Proper planting is the key to achieving a high yield. There is nothing difficult in planting Kiowa blackberries, but you still need to follow some rules.
Recommended dates
Blackberries of this variety are planted mainly in the spring, when the earth warms up enough. When planting Kiowa blackberries in autumn, the timing is calculated so that the seedlings have time to take root before the first frost.
Choosing the right place
For landing, choose well-lit places, protected from strong gusts of wind. Shaded areas should be avoided.
Soil Preparation
The land at the Kiowa blackberry planting site should be nutritious and light. Sand or peat can be added to the soil, this will significantly reduce the density and enrich the nutrient composition. If the soil is acidic, then it is limed with dolomite flour.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
When choosing blackberry seedlings of the Kiova variety, you need to pay attention to the fact that the plant has a developed root system with a living bud and one or two shoots with leaves. Roots should not be shorter than 10 cm.
Algorithm and landing scheme
The distance between plants should be at least 1,5 m. Before placing a blackberry seedling in a planting hole, drainage is laid out on its bottom. It can be small pebbles or broken bricks.
Next, a small amount of fertile soil is poured into the planting hole. On the resulting small mound, the blackberry root system is straightened.
The blackberry bush is gradually sprinkled with earth mixed with organic fertilizers. The soil around the root collar is compacted and then watered.
The root neck of the blackberry seedling should rise slightly above the ground. The earth around the bush is mulched with straw or peat, and then the shoots are cut off. Their length should be 30-40 cm.
Culture aftercare
Growing a variety of Kiowa blackberries is quite simple. Even inexperienced gardeners do not have any special problems when growing shrubs.
Growing principles
Although the shoots of the Kiova variety are upright and rather strong, it is still better to strengthen them on the trellis with a fan. This simple procedure will facilitate care, and will not allow the branches to break under the weight of ripening berries, and will also simplify pruning and harvesting, because blackberry shoots are covered with sharp thorns.
The yield of the Kiova variety is directly related to the proper care of the plant. Adhering to simple recommendations for the care of blackberries of this variety, you can achieve excellent results. You will have no reason to worry that the harvest will be poor.
Necessary activities
The need for watering in the Kiova variety is moderate. Systematic watering should be done from the beginning of flowering, because the quantity, size and quality of the emerging fruits depend on the amount of moisture. To preserve moisture, the soil is mulched with straw or peat.
From the beginning of the budding period, it is advisable to fertilize the blackberry by introducing mineral supplements into the soil around the bush at intervals of once every three weeks. Loosening and weeding is done as needed.
shrub pruning
For upright blackberries, pruning of side shoots is necessary to give the bush a compact shape and not allow them to grow chaotically.
Kiowa blackberry pruning is done in spring and autumn. In the process of spring pruning, dry and rotten shoots are removed. During the autumn, young, weak shoots are pruned, as well as old, fruit-bearing branches left after harvesting. As a result, no more than 10 young and healthy shoots are left, which are also shortened a little, shortening by about 1/3.
Preparation for winter
After pruning, the blackberry shoots, until they are lignified, are removed from the trellises, and, gently bending down, are placed under cover. Although breeders claim that the Kiova variety is frost-resistant, it’s still not worth the risk, because in its homeland the climate is much milder and warmer.
Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention
The Kiova variety is disease-resistant, and therefore does not cause additional trouble for gardeners. In the spring, the bush can be treated with an environmentally friendly drug Fitosporin for prevention purposes.
But pests can spoil the crop and cause significant damage to the bushes. But knowing the enemy in person, it is easier to fight him.
vermin | Signs and Damage | Methods of control and prevention |
Common spider mite | Leaves turn yellow, dry out, and fall off prematurely | 1. Collection and burning of damaged leaves 2. Loosening the soil to a depth of at least 7 cm 3. Mulching the soil around the plant with a layer of at least 7 cm 4. For spraying use preparations containing sulfur |
Raspberry fly | Blackening, wilting, and drying of shoots | 1. Pruning and burning damaged shoots 2. Mulching the soil with a layer of mulch at least 5 cm thick |
Stem raspberry gall midge | Inhibition of plant growth, and even the death of a bush | 1. Pruning and burning damaged shoots 2. Loosening the soil to a depth of 7 cm 3. Mulching the soil with a layer of at least 6 cm |
May Khrushch | Wilting and death of plants | 1. Manual pest collection 2. Watering the plants with a solution of iodine (20 drops per 10 liters of water) 3. During the growing season, the use of the drug Antikhrushch, Confidor |
blackberry mite | Deterioration in fruit quality | Spring treatment of the plant with Thiovit Jet, Envidor |
In conclusion, watch a video about the Kiowa blackberry, and listen to the advice of the author of the video:
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the Kiowa blackberry deserves attention. She conquers gardeners with her unpretentiousness, high productivity, and tasty fruits. Reviews of gardeners about blackberries in Kiev are only positive. Those who have tried sweet berries forgive her even sharp thorns. Well, what can you do, everyone has flaws, and in the Kiova variety, although they are pungent, they are still small.