The Brzezina blackberry is an ultra-early variety bred in Poland with excellent commercial qualities. It produces large, tasty berries that transport and store well, making it a stunning addition to any garden plot.
History of creation
The Brzezina variety was developed in Poland by Jan Danek and Agnieszka Orel. The research was conducted at the Polish Institute of Horticulture. The new variety was created by crossing the Black Satin and Darrow varieties.
Description and characteristics of the variety
The Brzezina variety belongs to the early-bearing group. It begins to bear fruit fully at 3-4 years. The yield per bush is 7-9 kg. It is quite hardy, with fruiting beginning in July and lasting 5-6 weeks.
The Brzezina blackberry is unremarkable; it's difficult to distinguish from other varieties by sight. The bush is tall, with a robust root system. Plants can reach 3 meters in height. However, a height of up to 2 meters is considered optimal, as otherwise, yield declines. The shoots of this semi-prostrate blackberry are well-foliated and thornless. The leaves are light green with serrated edges.
- ✓ Complete absence of thorns on the shoots, which makes care and harvesting easier.
- ✓ High resistance to transportation due to the dense pulp of the berries.
Description and taste of fruits
The Brzezina variety produces black fruits with dense, juicy flesh. The berries are elongated and conical in shape. They have a pleasant, blackberry-like aroma. The average weight of one berry is 5-9 g. The flavor is sweet, with a slight tartness. The tasting score is 4.6.
Growing regions
The Brzezina variety produces best in warm climates, so it grows easily in the south of the country. With winter protection, Brzezina blackberries can be grown in central Russia and even further north.
Pros and cons
Before planting the Brzezina variety in your garden or summer cottage, it is recommended to thoroughly evaluate all the pros and cons of this blackberry.
Landing features
When planting Brzezina blackberries, it is important to choose the right location and prepare the soil according to the prescribed agricultural practices.
- × Do not plant blackberries near groundwater levels higher than 1 meter, as this will lead to root rot.
- × Avoid planting in heavy clay soils without first improving their structure.
- ✓ Check that the seller has a certificate of conformity for the variety.
- ✓ Pay attention to the root system: it should be well developed, without signs of rot or damage.
Features of planting the Brzezina variety:
- Planting dates. In the south, planting is done in early autumn, a month or a month and a half before severe cold weather sets in, allowing the young plants time to take root and adapt before winter. In the rest of the country, spring planting is preferred as the least risky, allowing the plants to gain strength over the summer and survive the winter with minimal losses.
- Soil. The Brzezina blackberry grows best in light, slightly acidic soils. This variety thrives particularly well in fertile loams.
- Landing site. It should be well-lit, protected from drafts and cold winds. In the south, it is recommended to choose sites with some shade. Ideally, this should occur during midday hours, during periods of strong sunlight. The desired groundwater level is 1.5 meters above the ground surface, with a maximum of 1 meter.
- Neighborhood. You cannot plant nightshade crops, strawberries, or raspberries near blackberries.
- Preparing the soil. If the soil is acidic, lime is added. High-moor (red) peat is added to alkaline soil with a neutral reaction. Heavy and dense soils are loosened with coarse sand, and organic matter is added to sandy soils.
- Selection of seedlings. Blackberries Brzezina have only recently appeared on the market, so it's best to buy them from nurseries or reputable sellers. The bark of the seedling should be smooth and even, free of cracks, defects, and thorns.
- Preparing seedlings. Before planting, soak the seedling roots in water for 12 hours. You can also treat them with a growth stimulant (according to the instructions). Prune the plants back to 10-15 cm before planting.
- Planting diagram. Bushes are planted at intervals of 2-2.5 m. For industrial cultivation, planting is denser - 1-1.5 m. The width between rows is 2.5-3 m.
- Preparing the planting hole. For planting, dig holes 50 cm deep. Alternatively, trenches can be dug. The top layer of excavated soil is mixed with humus (10 l), and potassium (50 g) and phosphorus (91-50 g) fertilizers are added.
Fill the planting hole 2/3 full with potting soil, then add water. Planting begins in about two weeks. - The landing process. A mound of earth is formed in the center of the hole, onto which the seedling is placed. Its roots are spread evenly and covered with soil. The soil is carefully compacted to ensure there are no voids between the roots. The root collar is buried 1.5-2 cm deep. The planted plant is watered. 10 liters is sufficient. Once the soil has been absorbed, the area around the trunk is mulched with peat or humus.
Growing and care
The Brzezina blackberry requires some care. Pruning and watering are especially important. Fertilizing is also necessary to achieve a good harvest. Overall, Brzezina, like most Polish varieties, is easy to care for.
- • To increase yields, use drip irrigation, which will ensure uniform soil moisture.
- • Use organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
How to care for Brzezina blackberries:
- Planted seedlings are watered twice a week, and then watered based on the soil conditions. It should always be slightly moist. The plant is moisture-loving, and drying out the soil is detrimental. However, waterlogging is also unacceptable, as it leads to root rot.
- Fertilizers are applied at least three times per season. In early spring, the bushes are fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. During bud formation, the plant requires a mineral complex, and after fruiting, potassium-rich compounds. Foliar feeding with growth stimulants is also recommended, but not more than once every two weeks.
- In spring and autumn, the soil is thoroughly loosened, and during the season it is mulched, weeding out weeds as necessary.
- Shoots should be tied to trellises after reaching two years of age. Fruiting shoots are tied to one side, and young shoots to the other.
- Some gardeners believe pinching shoots can increase yields. Others argue that this procedure is unnecessary. Experimentation will help confirm this.
- Shoots that have finished fruiting are immediately pruned to prevent them from draining the plant's strength. Shoots are standardized—6-8 of the strongest branches should be left.
- The variety is rarely affected by pests and diseases, but in spring and autumn preventative measures are necessary - it is sprayed with copper-containing preparations.
Reproduction
The Brzezina variety is a hybrid, so propagation by seed is impossible. To obtain plants identical to the parent bushes, vegetative propagation methods must be used: root suckers, division, topping, or cuttings.
Preparing for winter
The Brzezina variety has stiff shoots, so they need to be trained from a young age by removing them and tying them to trellises. The shoots are pressed to the ground and secured with pins (staples), and when they reach 30-40 cm, they are raised onto supports. After this treatment, winter sheltering should be a breeze.
- × Do not use covering materials that can lead to shoots rotting, such as film.
- × Do not neglect training the shoots to make them flexible, otherwise they may break when covered.
For the Brzezina variety, tunnel shelters are recommended. You can also cover it with straw, dried corn stalks, spruce branches, spunbond, or agrofibre.
How to harvest?
The berries of the Brzezina variety, like those of most varieties, ripen unevenly. Therefore, when picking the berries, it's important to determine their ripeness. This is not only based on color—the fruits should be dark—but also on their ability to be pulled off. If a berry is ripe, it will separate easily from the shoots.
Application
The berries of the Brzezina variety are suitable for all purposes. They can be eaten fresh, processed, and frozen. They are ideal for making a variety of preserves, including jams, preserves, and compotes. They are also used in baked goods and desserts, and make delicious fillings.
This variety can be grown commercially. It is productive, and the berries are attractive, making them popular with consumers. The berry is ideal for commercial production and distribution at markets and supermarkets.
Storing berries
To extend the shelf life of fresh blackberries, it is recommended to chill them to +5°C within 4 hours of picking. Berries are transported at temperatures below +5°C. They are stored at temperatures ranging from -0.5°C to 0°C, with a relative humidity of over 90%.
Reviews of the variety
The Brzezina blackberry is a relatively new variety, so it hasn't yet fully developed all its advantages and disadvantages. However, given the quality of its berries and its agronomic characteristics, it has every potential to win the hearts of gardeners and the consumer market.