Blackberry variety Loch Tay (Lokhtey): description and characteristics, photo

Blackberry Loch Tay is one of the most popular varieties in the world. It is valued by amateur gardeners for its excellent taste and ripening time, ease of care and harvest, due to the absence of thorns on the shoots. Cultivation of Loch Tay blackberries does not require rich experience from the gardener, agricultural technology includes standard activities.

History of breeding

The blackberry hybrid Loch Tay appeared in Europe in the mid-2000s and reached Our Country in 2011. Breeders from the Scottish Plant Research Institute created it based on their own earlier achievement – the Loch Ness blackberry. The natural loganberry and an “intermediate” variety, codenamed SCRI 82417D, also participated in the selection. The hybrid continues the series of namesakes of Scottish lakes.

Description of Loch Tay blackberry

Lough Tay is a variety cultivated in Our Country mainly by amateur gardeners. However, in Europe and America it is grown mainly on an industrial scale.

External description of the bush

The height of the bushes reaches 3,5-4 m. But for the convenience of care and harvesting, it is limited to 2-2,5 m. The shoots are initially upright, but as they grow, they droop, turning into a kind of arches.

The bush can be described as semi-creeping

Loch Tay blackberry shoots are completely smooth, without thorns. The bark is pale brown, often peeling and flaking off in long strips. The leaves are rich green, large, dense to the touch (even leathery), typical of the culture form.

The root system of the bushes is powerful, the roots grow rapidly both in depth and in breadth. If this process cannot be controlled, the plants are quite capable of “capturing” the entire garden. Thanks to a developed root system, a tall bush successfully maintains an upright position.

Tastes of berries

The berries of the Loch Tay variety are one-dimensional, rather large (10-12 g). The shape is a cross between a cylinder and a cone. On the palate, they are richly sweet, but not cloying or bland, with a slight “balancing” sourness and a fruity-spicy aftertaste.

The pulp is juicy, with a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma of wild berries. In the process of aging, it becomes denser, the black skin acquires a glossy sheen and “silkyness”. Seeds are small, almost not felt when eating.

The skin is thin, but elastic and strong enough, which provides Loch Tay blackberries with very good keeping quality and transportability.

Characteristics of blackberries Loch Tay

Outstanding taste qualities and external presentability of Loch Tay blackberries are successfully complemented by other characteristics that are important for the gardener. They cannot be ignored when choosing a variety – the fundamental possibility of its cultivation in a particular region depends on this.

Flowering period, ripening period and yield

According to the ripening time, the hybrid is considered ultra-early. Terms vary depending on the region of cultivation. In the south of Our Country, the first wave of harvest occurs in the second decade of June. In the northern regions (for example, in the Leningrad region), Loch Tay blackberries are removed 15-20 days later. Fruiting is extended, continues until the end of July or even until the beginning of August.

Flowering is also quite early. The buds are collected in loose brushes of 5-10 pieces, open from mid to late April. The flowers are large, with snow-white petals.

An adult bush (from 4-5 years old) with quality care brings about 20 kg of berries per season. If the gardener does not pay enough attention to Loch Tay blackberries, this figure drops to 5-6 kg.

According to the originator, the yield of Loch Tay blackberries is 30 kg per bush

Frost resistance

Cold resistance is average – about -20 ° С. In the southern regions, it may well overwinter without shelter; in the middle lane and regions with a more severe climate, special preparation for frost is required.

Disease and pest resistance

A powerful root system is the key to overall endurance and “stress resistance” of the Loch Tay blackberry. Bushes are extremely rarely affected by pests, successfully resist pathogenic microflora. As a rule, even special prevention is not required – competent care and adherence to the landing pattern are sufficient. However, the Loch Tay blackberry does not have “innate” immunity, so if conditions are favorable, it may suffer from the most typical fungi for the culture.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The rich dark purple color of the Loch Tay blackberry pulp indicates a high concentration of anthocyanins, which are extremely beneficial for health. It also surpasses many varieties and hybrids in the content of vitamin C, PP and group B.

Loch Tay blackberries have very few drawbacks – and they can be quite classified as varietal characteristics.

Pros:

• lack of thorns on the branches;
• very early ripening of berries;
• stretched fruiting;
• outstanding palatability, large size and external presentability of berries;
• versatility of the appointment of blackberries;
• the ability to tolerate prolonged drought with virtually no loss in volume and quality of the crop;
• relatively good cold resistance;
• general endurance, high resistance to pathogens and insects;
• suitability for cultivation on an industrial scale, harvesting by mechanization;
• good transportability and keeping quality of berries.

Cons:

• very fast growth rates;
• early completion of fruiting.

Features of planting blackberries Loch Tay (Lochtey)

Loch Tay blackberries are most often planted in the spring. Due to drought resistance, it successfully takes root even in the southern regions, where heat and lack of precipitation in summer are by no means uncommon.

To obtain the highest yields of Loch Tay blackberries, an open place is chosen for planting, well lit and warmed by the sun. Mandatory protection of bushes from cold winds and sharp drafts. A substrate is also needed that combines breathability and friability with fertility, characterized by a neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.7-6.5). High (closer than 2 m) groundwater approaching the surface significantly increases the risk of developing fungal diseases.

For ease of cultivation and care, a minimum of 2 m is left between neighboring Loch Tay blackberry bushes. When cultivating on an industrial scale, the interval is reduced to 1,2-1,5 m. The row spacing is the same in both cases – 2,5-3 m.

Bushes are placed on the south side of a natural or artificial barrier

Loch Tay blackberries are planted in a hole with a depth and diameter of 60-70 cm. Any drainage material is poured into the bottom (a layer of at least 5-7 cm). They have been digging a hole since autumn, in winter fertile soil is “standing” in it.

Water thoroughly before and after planting. If possible, it is carried out by transshipment. In the process, be sure to tamp the soil manually, watching the position of the root neck. It needs to be buried in the ground by 2-3 cm.

At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to mulch the near-stem circle and cut the shoots up to 20-25 cm (3-4 growth buds)

Blackberry Care Loch Tay (Lochtey)

The thornless Loch Tay blackberry requires only standard agrotechnical measures:

1. Watering. In central Our Country, bushes often get by with natural precipitation. In the south, in extreme heat and in the absence of rain, Loch Tay blackberries are watered once every 15-20 days.
2. Top dressing. Fertilizers are applied from the second year after planting. At the beginning of the season, nitrogen is needed, during budding, the formation of ovaries and 2-3 weeks after harvesting – complex products for berry bushes.
3. Pruning. In addition to sanitary pruning and thinning of the bush at the beginning and end of the season, it is necessary to regularly remove the root shoots. Each new shoot is pinched twice – at a height of 30-35 and 90-95 cm.
4. Mulching. Mulch partially prevents the growth of root shoots, helps the gardener save time on weeding and mulching. It needs to be updated every season.

“Norma” for an adult bush – 12-15 fruiting branches

Preparing blackberries Loch Tay (Lokhtey) for winter

If the winter is expected to be severe, the roots of the Loch Tay blackberry “warm” by filling the bed with straw, branches of coniferous trees, fallen leaves (layer 12-15 cm), after removing all plant debris. On the resulting “pillow” are placed removed from the trellis, wrapped in 2-3 layers of covering material and connected shoots.

When enough snow falls, it is thrown onto the bed from above, creating additional “thermal insulation”

Protection against pests and diseases

Blackberry garden Loch Tay does not have “innate” immunity, however, this variety is practically not interested in pests, even in cases of “mass” invasion of the garden. The plant also successfully resists diseases, but under adverse conditions, it can still become infected:

• anthracnose;
  
  

  Anthracnose affects not only blackberries, but also raspberries, so these two crops are not recommended to be planted side by side.

• verticillosis;
  
  

  It is difficult to save a Loch Tay blackberry bush affected by verticillium – the disease develops very quickly

• gray rot.
  
  

  The development of gray mold on bushes of Loch Tay blackberries is favored by high humidity combined with cool weather for summer.

To combat diseases that affect Loch Tay blackberries, any fungicides are used. If the problem is noticed on time, 2-3 sprays of the bushes themselves and the soil under them are enough. First you need to cut off all the shoots, leaves, berries affected by the fungus.

Conclusion

The Loch Tay blackberry is highly valued by amateur gardeners and professional farmers alike. Resistance to droughts, other adverse external influences, pest attacks in this variety is successfully combined with a consistently high yield and outstanding taste of berries. It is impossible to call the Loch Tay blackberry capricious and demanding in care; it is quite suitable for not particularly experienced gardeners.

Reviews of gardeners about blackberries Loch Tay