Blackberry Thornfree

The thornless blackberry is especially popular in both private gardens and industrial plantations. The first thornless variety that came to Our Country and neighboring countries was Thonfree. It is noteworthy that the name is translated from English as “free from thorns.” This blackberry was a sensation at one time, it was considered the most fruitful and very tasty. Now there are many new varieties that are superior to Thornfree in every way except fertility. But this blackberry is still in demand and one of the most common in household plots.

History of breeding

Blackberry without thorns Thornfree (Thonfree) appeared in 1966 thanks to the American breeder D. Scott. It belongs to the Maryland varieties, widely known throughout the world. The Thornfree hybrid blackberry originates from the varieties Brined, Merton Thornles and Eldorado.

In 2006, Thonfree was included in the State Register of the Federation and recommended for cultivation in all regions.

Now blackberry Thornfree is used in the creation of new varieties as a donor of thornless and yield. In particular, she acted as one of the parent crops for the American variety Black Satin and the Serbian Chachanska Bestrna. 

Description of berry culture

From its inception to the present day, Thonfree blackberries have remained one of the most common industrial varieties.

General idea of ​​the variety  

Blackberry Thornfree refers to varieties with semi-spreading shoots. At first they grow upwards, like brambles, and then they become like dewberry lashes, turning into a horizontal position.

Variety Thornfree forms a low powerful bush with thick shoots, round in section, which at the base can be faceted and reach a diameter of 3 cm or more. Spikes are absent along the entire length. Young shoots are green, annual shoots are purple-cherry. Without pinching the top, their length can reach 5-6 m. The ability to form new shoots is weak.

The leaves are large, on one Thornfree blackberry plant they can have 3 or 5 corrugated dark green segments. The branches on which fruiting occurs are strongly pubescent.

The root system is powerful, shoots are not formed. The flowers are pink, up to 3,5 cm in diameter.

Berries

The berries of the Thonfree blackberry are black, glossy until full ripeness, large, with an average weight of 4,5-5 g. They are approximately the same size, slightly pubescent, round-oval in shape, firmly attached to a short stem. The drupes are large. The berries are collected in large brushes, 20-30 pcs. in each.

The taste of the fruit changes as it ripens. At first they are sour, in the stage of technical ripeness they acquire sweetness and remain dense. When fully ripe, the taste improves, a faint aroma appears, but the berry becomes soft and literally spreads in the hands.

The tasting score indicated in the State Register is 4 points. Thornfree blackberry taste ratings, compiled by domestic gardeners, give the variety a little over three points.

Characterization

The characteristics of Thornfree blackberries are mixed. At one time, this cultivar was one of the best. Until now, the variety occupies huge areas in commercial plantations and grows in many cottages and household plots. But whether he can compete with another, new blackberry when laying a young garden, everyone decides for himself.

Main advantages

The winter hardiness of Thornfree’s thornless blackberry is average, although higher than that of the Black Satin variety. Without shelter, it will freeze every year in all regions.

The drought resistance of the Thonfree variety is considered high, but only against the general background. Blackberry culture is moisture-loving and needs regular watering.

It makes moderate demands on soils, but grows poorly on sandstones. With timely pruning and garter on a trellis, it is easy to care for the Thornfree variety. The hardest thing is to cover it for the winter because of the thick, stiff shoots on which fruiting will take place next year.

The whips of this variety are absolutely devoid of thorns. Berries at the stage of technical maturity are transported well, at full ripeness they become so soft that it becomes impossible to transport them.

Flowering period and ripening period

Pink flowers of blackberry Thornfri in Central Our Country open in the second half of June. Fruiting later, stretched for a month and a half, depending on the region and weather factors, begins at the end of August or September.

In areas with a short summer, the berries do not have time to fully ripen.

Yield indicators, fruiting terms

For a long time, the Thornfree variety was considered the most productive. It annually produces up to 20 kg of berries from an adult bush, or 77,8 kg / ha on average. This blackberry belongs to late varieties. The term of its fruiting depends on the region of cultivation, weather factors and agricultural technology. In different areas, the picking of Thornfree blackberries can begin either at the end of August or at the end of September.

Now new cultivars have appeared, for example, Black Satin is more productive, but less tasty. When comparing blackberry varieties Thornfri and Chachanska Bestrna, not only a high yield is noted, but also high tasting properties of the latter.

Scope of berries

Blackberry Thornfree was created as an industrial variety. Most of it goes to recycling. Part of the berries at the stage of technical ripeness enters the retail chains. Although it is difficult for them to compete with the sweet, aromatic fruits of modern varieties, the Thornfree blackberry has its admirers.

Disease and pest resistance

Thonfree blackberries are disease and pest resistant. If the berries are overripe, gray rot may appear on them.

Advantages and disadvantages

When considering the strengths and weaknesses of the Thornfree blackberry, it should not be forgotten that it was created as an industrial variety. Its advantages include:

1. High productivity.
2. Complete lack of spikes.
3. Large berries.
4. High resistance to heat and drought (compared to other blackberry varieties).
5. The bush does not give growth.
6. High resistance to pests and diseases.
7. Good transportability of blackberries Thonfree in the stage of technical ripeness.

Disadvantages of the variety:

1. Average frost resistance.
2. Shoots do not bend well, it is difficult to tie them up and cover them for the winter.
3. Mediocre fruit flavor.
4. Late ripening of berries – part of the crop is lost, especially in the northern regions.
5. Overripe fruits cannot be transported.
6. If the crop is not harvested on time, the berries can be affected by gray rot.

Methods of reproduction

The Thonfree blackberry variety is easily propagated by green and root cuttings, layering, pulping (rooting tops). An adult bush can be divided.

Rules of landing

Planting blackberries is not difficult even for beginner gardeners. Moreover, the Thornfree variety is devoid of thorns and cannot injure hands.

Recommended dates

In the north, blackberries are planted only in spring, so that the bush has time to adapt and take root before the onset of frost. In the south – only in autumn, otherwise the sudden heat will destroy the young plant. In other regions, spring planting is recommended, but it can be postponed to early autumn if the weather is usually warm at this time, and at least a month is left before frost.

Choosing the right place

Blackberry varieties Thonfree prefers light loams with a slightly acidic reaction. The bush must be protected from the cold wind. In the south, blackberries can be part of the day in partial shade, this will protect the berries from the heat. In a temperate climate and in the north, you will have to choose the sunniest place – the Thornfree variety is late, the fruits need a lot of light and heat to ripen.

Soil Preparation

Especially worry about the composition of the soil for planting blackberries is not worth it. It is not difficult to prepare suitable soil on your own: the upper fertile layer, taken out when digging the planting pit, is mixed, humus and starting fertilizers are added (120-150 g of phosphorus, 50 g of potassium). If the soil is too acidic, lime must be added. With an alkaline or neutral reaction, red (horse) peat is added. More organics are added on sandstones, and sand is added to heavy loams.

A landing hole is dug with a diameter and a depth of 50 cm.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

Blackberry Thonfree has long been grown in Our Country and neighboring countries. There are no problems with planting material, it is unlikely that you will be deceived with a variety. But the quality of blackberries is of great importance.

Make sure that the root system is well developed and not damaged. You can smell it, the smell should be fresh. Good shoots are elastic, young shoots are green, annual shoots have a cherry tint. The bark should be smooth and the wood underneath should be greenish white.

Preplant preparation of seedlings consists in soaking the root system for about 12 hours or watering the container plant.

Algorithm and landing scheme

Thornfree blackberry seedlings are placed at a standard planting at a distance of 1,5-2,0 m from each other, 2,5-3,0 m between the rows. On industrial plantations, bushes are compacted. If there is a lot of space in the garden, the distance between the seedlings can be made larger – this makes it easier to care for the blackberries.

Landing is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The pit is filled 2/3 with a nutrient mixture, filled with water, allowed to settle for 10-14 days.
2. A blackberry seedling is placed in the center on a mound formed in advance, the roots are straightened, and covered with soil. The root neck should be covered by 1,5-2,0 cm.
3. The soil is compacted, the blackberries are watered abundantly.
4. Spread a thick layer of mulch.

Culture aftercare

The first time after planting, Thonfree blackberries should be watered twice a week, spending at least 5 liters per plant.

Growing principles

The Thornfree blackberry variety must be tied up and shaped by pruning. Its shoots, thick and long, first grow upwards, then horizontally. Under the weight of multi-berry heavy brushes, they sink to the ground. If you do not tie them to a multi-row or T-shaped trellis, most of the crop will be on the ground. In addition, there is little sunlight below, which will prevent the berries from ripening.

Sometimes the shoots of the current Thornfree blackberry season are not tied up at all, but laid on the ground and fixed. In winter, they are simply covered, and in the spring they are put in order and raised to a support.

All this affects the yield. Improve fruiting timely fertilizing, timely shelter for the winter.

Necessary activities

The blackberry culture is moisture-loving, although the Thonfree variety is characterized as drought-resistant, in hot weather the bushes are watered once a week. Loosening is carried out after tying the shoots on the trellis and before sheltering for the winter. The rest of the time, the trunk circle is mulched.

They say that Thornfree’s blackberry bears fruit well without top dressing, but excellent with top dressing. But every gardener wants to get the most out of every plant they grow. The Thornfree variety bears fruit abundantly, so that it actually gives a lot of berries, it needs to be actively fed:

1. In the spring, immediately after removing the shelter, the blackberries are fertilized with nitrogen.
2. At the beginning of flowering they give a complete mineral complex that does not contain chlorine.
3. After the beginning of the formation of berries until August, the bushes are poured with a solution of mullein infusion (1:10) or green fertilizer (1:4) with the addition of a liter can of ash to a bucket of liquid.
4. In August and September, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is given twice.

Blackberries respond very well to foliar top dressing, which should be done no more than 1 time in 14 days. If you add a chelate complex to the balloon, the quality of the crop will increase, and the plant will not get sick with chlorosis.

shrub pruning

Old, fertile blackberry shoots are cut into a ring. They will no longer produce a crop, and next season they will dry out on their own. If the old lashes are left, they will simply take away water and nutrients from productive shoots and thicken the bush.

Thornfree blackberry care in the spring includes pruning. Of the well-wintered shoots, 5-6 of the strongest are left. The formation and tying of the bush is difficult due to thick, poorly bending branches; pruning is carried out in different ways.

1. It is possible to pinch a young shoot at the stage of the beginning of growth upon reaching 20-30 cm. It will give several lateral branches, which will be much thinner than the main lash. It is much easier to deal with such branches (lift and remove from the support, lay for the winter), they bend more easily.
2. The shoots are allowed to reach the desired length, then the top is cut off. All side branches are pinched when they reach 40 cm.
3. Only heavily overgrown vines are shortened.

Preparation for winter

In autumn, right before the onset of frost, blackberries are removed from the trellis and covered for the winter. By this time, the fruiting shoots should already be removed. It is easiest to bend down and cover the stubborn lashes of the Thornfree blackberry if it is cut in the first way described. Thin shoots are just easier to bend.

Spruce branches, straw, spunbond, agrofibre, dry soil are used as a covering material. Polyethylene does not allow air to pass through, blackberries under it can rot, which is even worse than freezing.

Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

Blackberry Thornfree rarely gets sick, only gray rot can hit overripe berries that are not picked in time. Pests also do not annoy this variety. But if you do not feed the plant, it will weaken and become vulnerable. In order to avoid trouble, you can’t plant crops nearby that can “share” diseases with blackberries – raspberries, strawberries, nightshade crops.

Prevention is still necessary – after removing the shelter and before preparing the crop for winter, the shoots are treated with preparations containing copper. During foliar top dressing, it is good to add an ampoule of epin or zircon to the fertilizer bottle.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that many new varieties with a delicious taste have recently appeared, Thornfree blackberries still remain in demand. It is easy to buy in domestic nurseries. High yield and lack of thorns can be attributed to the undoubted advantages of the variety.

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