A Detailed Guide to Blackberry Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods
Blackberry, also called dewberry, is a perennial vine in the Rosaceae family. Blackberry has very high nutritional value and is regarded by the United Nations as a new type of third-generation specialty fruit. It has such laudatory titles as “black diamond” and “fruit of life.” Blackberry has been cultivated in China for nearly 40 years. Now blackberry planting areas are becoming more and more extensive, so if we want to grow it, how should we plant it? Below, the editor brings you the blackberry cultivation techniques. Let's take a look!
1. Site selection and land preparation
Blackberry has relatively high requirements for soil and the surrounding environment. First, we should choose soil with normal drainage and irrigation, deep and soft soil layers, and rich organic matter. Keep the soil PH value at around 6.5 and ensure the planting site has sufficient sunlight. Then carry out land preparation. During land preparation, it should be deeply plowed and cultivated, and the depth must not be less than 25 cm. Apply sufficient base fertilizer. The base fertilizer should mainly be fully decomposed farmyard manure. If the organic matter in the soil is insufficient, increase the amount of base fertilizer, adjust the nutrient ratio well, and supplement the nutrients lacking in the soil in the base fertilizer to ensure healthy growth of blackberry.
2. Timely planting
Blackberry planting time is generally in early spring each year. When planting, control the planting density well and dig the planting holes well. The planting density depends on factors such as soil fertility. For example, for medium fertility, control the plant and row spacing at about 1.5*2 m to ensure that blackberry plants have enough growing space. If the soil is clayey and low in fertility, then we should use the trench planting method. After digging along the rows for planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer. When planting, separate the plant roots from the fertilizer to prevent root burn. After planting, cover with fine soil up to the root crown of the plant. After planting, water thoroughly to settle the roots and improve the survival rate of the seedlings.
3. Fertilizer and water management
Every year in winter, carry out a thorough plowing of the soil, and then apply an appropriate amount of base fertilizer per plant according to the number planted. During the blackberry growing period, mainly use quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, mainly in the two periods before flowering and during fruit development. When topdressing, pay attention to the nutrient ratio and reasonably adjust the proportions of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If the soil has sufficient nitrogen, then mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; otherwise, mainly use nitrogen fertilizer. In mid-June, if precipitation is low, then water in time to ensure the fruit can absorb water. But if there is too much water, pay attention to drainage.
4. Field management
Blackberry is a semi-erect variety, so when planting, it is still necessary to set up supports well and do a good job of guiding the canes onto the trellis. In the orchard, erect a post about 5 m apart, with a height of about 2 m, to promote the growth of blackberry. Then do a good job of shaping and pruning. When the sprouting canes grow to about 1.2 m, promptly pinch the tips to control the growth height and promote the growth of lateral branches. Then tie them to the posts to improve the air and light permeability in the orchard. Prune them at least three times each year to ensure healthy growth of blackberry and create a good growing environment for it.
The above is a brief introduction to blackberry cultivation techniques. Blackberry fruits are relatively fragile. After being picked, they must be sterilized and frozen within four hours, otherwise the nutrients will be greatly lost and cause deterioration. Therefore, the market price of blackberry is very expensive, but growing it is also not easy, so I hope everyone will consider carefully before planting. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.