Blackberry Agavam: features of proper care of the bush and reviews from those who grew the variety

North American Dessert Delight or Agawam Blackberry is a new crop variety. It differs from previous new products in high yields, early fruiting, and taste. But a special advantage is the unpretentiousness of the variety.

Defined as a semi-thornless type of blackberry, which is also a positive quality. The gardener does not waste time on ensuring skin protection in order to enjoy picking delicious berries.

Agaves are suitable for growing in the middle zone, which has increased the crop’s rating several times.

Agavam blackberries: description and characteristics, reviews and photos, planting, cultivation and care, pruning

Currently, there are about 400 varieties of cultivated blackberries.

. It is significantly different from its predecessor, the wild berry. First of all, it has large, sweet and juicy berries. May not have thorns. There are remontant varieties.

Of course, unlike wild blackberries, cultivated ones require proper care, including obligatory shelter for the winter period. In this regard, there is a need for a variety that is not so demanding on care. Agavam blackberries are perfect for growing in garden plots.

But the opinion of gardeners about this variety is ambiguous.

The Agavam variety is definitely not suitable for “gourmet” gardeners.

, since it has small berries, the taste is ordinary, there are huge thorns on the stems, which interferes with picking. But there are also those who have been growing Agave for several seasons and are not going to change it to another. To understand the reason for this, it is worth taking a closer look at this Agawam blackberry variety, its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, features of cultivation and care.

The content of the article:

1. History of selection 2. Description of the berry crop 3. General idea of ​​the variety 4. Description of the berries 5. Characteristics of the Agawam variety 6. Flowering period and ripening time 8. Yield indicators 9. Area of ​​application of the berries 10. Advantages and disadvantages 11. Cultivation of the variety 11.1 Recommended timing for planting Agawam blackberries 11.2 Selecting a suitable place for planting 11.3 Soil preparation 11.4 Selection and preparation of seedlings 11.5 Algorithm and scheme for planting Agawam blackberries 12. Further care of Agawam blackberries 12.1 How to improve the yield of the variety 12.2 Necessary measures 12.3 Pruning bushes 12.4 Preparing the hedgehog wiki Agawam for winter 13. Resistance to diseases and pests 14. Reviews of blackberries Agave

Blackberry propagation

Propagation of this unpretentious variety is rather difficult using layering and pulping. The reason is not due to thick, erect branches that bend poorly to the surface of the earth, but to their poor rooting. Out of ten, only one is able to take root. But the shoots multiply in such numbers that it is difficult to know where to put them.

Planting Agawam blackberries occurs in the same way as other varieties. But here you can even allow yourself to deviate from the general rules, it will not affect the plant in any way, which, for example, an elite blackberry could not tolerate.

History of selection

Agawam has been around since the mid-19th century. Almost nothing is known about how it happened. The only thing that is known for sure is its place of origin - the United States of America. Originated from wild crops of North America. There are sources claiming that the first mention of Agawam dates back to 1865.

12 years ago, the variety was officially included in the state register of the country. Grown in any area.

Blackberry Agavam - photo

Care and reproduction

Caring for Agave blackberries cannot be called difficult. Most crops require regular feeding, watering and pruning. From this point of view, blackberries of this type do not present any particular difficulties.

If we talk about feeding, then when a mixture of organic and mineral fertilizers is added to the planting hole, the shrub will not require additional feeding during the first three years of cultivation. In the future, to replenish the plant with nutrients, in the spring, before the buds awaken, you need to dig a shallow trench around the bush, place organic fertilizer in it and cover it with soil.

Since the Agavam variety is drought-resistant, special attention to watering is not required. The only exceptions are regions with a truly hot climate and little natural precipitation. In such regions, watering is carried out as needed, when the top layer of soil dries out. It will be enough to pour a bucket of water under each bush. To prevent moisture loss, it is advisable to mulch the tree trunks with organic matter.

In addition, when caring for blackberry plantings, you need to periodically loosen the soil and remove weeds. It is better to carry out this procedure immediately after watering or rain. Firstly, it is much easier to pull out weeds from damp soil, and secondly, this procedure will ensure the penetration of moisture and air to the roots.

As for the propagation of Agawam blackberries, it does not present any difficulties. The fact is that plants of this variety actively form root shoots. In other words, the shrub will begin to reproduce even without the participation of the gardener. But, if you want to cultivate a bed of blackberries, you should separate the root shoots from the mother bush and transplant them to the chosen location. If you do not plan to propagate the shrub, all root shoots will have to be constantly removed so that the blackberries do not grow throughout the entire area.

When growing blackberries, you should not forget about preparing the plants for winter. With the onset of the first autumn frosts, you need to bend the branches to the ground, secure them with a hook and cover them with burlap, pine needles or dry leaves and bark. When snow falls, the organic shelter is additionally sprinkled with snow. In such conditions, Agavam blackberries will withstand even the most severe blights well.

Note: It is not recommended to use film as a covering material, since it does not allow air to pass through; the plant under such cover will begin to rot and may die from fungal diseases before spring.

Another stage of caring for blackberries is pruning, but since this procedure is considered the most important and difficult, we will dwell on it in more detail.

General idea of ​​the variety

Agawam creates a compact and at the same time powerful bush

. The shoots have the shape of 5 sides, are quite dense and strong. The tops are slightly lowered. There are also brown thorns curved downwards. The spines are medium sized, sharp and hard. The shoots that have just begun to ripen are green. At the end of the growing season they acquire a dark, rich shade. The lashes left over from previous years are brown in color.

Interesting!

Agave blackberries are characterized by a certain shape of leaves, when all the plates originate at one point. In addition, there is a corrugation, an intense edge. Towards the end the leaf is usually very narrowed.

On the reverse side of the leaf plate, the veins located in the center have spines. They are much smaller than those located on the shoots. All leaves are medium in size and firmly attached to the vines. Even in winter, blackberries have powerful foliage.

The Agavam variety has an average ability to create and form shoots

. There is a lot of growth, it is almost useless to fight it.

Reproduction methods

A serious disadvantage of the variety is its spontaneous reproduction. Agave reproduces quite aggressively by root layering. But if you need to propagate the variety in this way, it will not be difficult to do. The shoots are well accepted, but need to be grown due to the underdeveloped rhizome. If you do not keep this process under control, the growth will soon take up half the area.

The Agavam variety can theoretically be propagated by pulping (rooting the apical buds of shoots). But in practice, these branches take root poorly (1 out of 10). In addition, they are difficult to bend for rooting. As for growing blackberries from seed, this is a complex and painstaking task.

Video: Blackberry propagation

Description of Agavam blackberries

Fruit weight from 4 to 5 grams, weak edge. The color is rich black, oval or slightly truncated cone shape. From 15 to 20 fruits ripen on each cluster.

Important!

Agaves need to be harvested on time. On a 5-point scale, Agavam blackberries deserved 3.5 points. At the same time, reviews about the variety are correspondingly different.

Ripe berries have a sweet and sour taste. There is a subtle, light aroma

. Since the fruits themselves are quite dense, they can easily withstand transportation over long distances. Those fruits that are overripe soften, become watery and taste bland.

When Agawam blackberries are only at the stage of technical ripeness, they have a herbaceous aroma. At this point there is no sourness in the taste yet.

Blackberry Agavam - video

Description of the berry crop

Agawam blackberries were considered tasty and quite large at the time of their creation. It was grown as an industrial crop; for more than 80 years, this variety held the palm in terms of prevalence in Europe and America.

General idea of ​​the variety

Agawam blackberries form a powerful, compact bush. This is a typical bramble. Its thick, pentagonal shoots with drooping tops are densely strewn with brown, downward-curved thorns. The spines are medium in size, but very sharp and hard. Young shoots are green, darken towards the end of the growing season, last year's shoots are brown.

The leaves have a shape characteristic of the agave variety - all the blades diverge from one point. They are corrugated, heavily pubescent, with a very narrowed tip. The central veins on the reverse side are covered with spines, although much smaller than the spines on the shoots. The leaf size is medium, the color is green. They are firmly attached to the lashes. Even in winter, Agavam blackberries often become leafy.

The ability to form shoots in this variety is average. But Agave produces a lot of overgrowth, and it is difficult to fight it - neither digging a border nor covering the soil with slate or metal sheets helps.

Fruiting of this blackberry occurs on last year's growth.

Berries

Agawam blackberries have medium-sized fruits - from 4 to 5 g, slightly pubescent. They are painted black and have the shape of a truncated cone or oval. The attachment of the berry to the prickly short stalk is average. Each cluster consists of 15-20 fruits of varying degrees of maturity.

The taste of ripe Agavam blackberries is sweet and sour, with a delicate aroma; the fruits are dense and can withstand transportation well. Overripe berries become soft, watery and fresh. At the stage of technical ripeness, their taste and aroma resembles grass, they are not even too sour. So you need to pick Agave blackberries on time.

This may be why the tasting score of the berries is low - only 3.5 points. Reviews from gardeners about Agave blackberries vary. Some consider it a garbage variety and advise replacing it with another, with large, sweet berries and without thorns. Others, on the contrary, argue that if Agawam blackberries are picked on time, then no capricious thornless novelties are needed.

Characteristics of the Agavam blackberry variety

Agawam belongs to one of the most frost-resistant varieties

. It does not require shelter at all when grown in areas such as Ukraine, Belarus, and central Russia. Resistantly withstands temperatures down to -25-30 degrees.

The relationship to elevated temperature is the opposite

. At high temperatures, the berries may bake. In this regard, in the south it is preferable to plant Agaves in a semi-shaded place. This will not affect yield indicators.

Undemanding to soil, unlike other blackberry varieties

. Grows and develops well in neutral soil. Capable of transporting over long distances. Over-ripening should not be allowed, because such berries are unsuitable for fresh consumption.

There are some difficulties in collecting berries, which consists of sharp thorns. Perhaps this is the only significant drawback.

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Description of the variety

Agavam blackberries are more than an interesting new selection. The fruits differ from the mass of their “relatives” in their high dessert taste and appearance. Versatility of use, early ripening.

There are more than a dozen positive qualities of the variety, while there are practically no downsides.

The breeders and creators tried to enter the ranking of the best types of blackberries in a short time. But the detailed characteristics and history of creation will tell you better about the Agavam variety.

Appearance

Agavam is considered to be only half thornless. This is a non-standard phenomenon, which defines the variety as one of a kind. The fact is that there are thorns on the trunk.

They are sharp, similar to very thin needles. At the same time, there are no thorns in the places where the berries grow, which makes picking the berries easier. The shrub exudes a delicate, pleasant aroma, which attracts pollinators.

The external data of the variety are as follows:

Characteristics

The peculiarities of Agavam blackberries are long flowering and rapid fruiting. The harvest is harvested in several stages. The main advantage of the species is its unpretentiousness.

Blackberries bear fruit well both in sunny areas and in shade and partial shade. The taste does not deteriorate because of this.

The variety belongs to the bramble family due to its erect shoots. The bush does not grow much in breadth. It produces a lot of “children” from the root, which is not considered a disadvantage in all cases. This is an excellent way to reproduce. Productivity is high and abundant.

Up to 25 berries are produced on one cluster, but the harvest does not always occur in one period. Unlike other blackberry bushes, Agava bears fruit for 15 years. Then rejuvenating pruning and replanting are necessary.

Also a variety with high resistance to frost, drought, diseases and even insects. Versatility of use.

History of selection

Garden blackberries delight gardeners with a wealth of flavors and a variety of varietal representatives. Species are divided into groups for convenience.

The greatest interest is caused by thornless varieties of blackberries. Therefore, they try to create new blackberry bushes taking into account the preferences of gardeners.

The names are given to new products so that the farmer understands what he will have to work with in the garden. Agawam, very similar to the word “wigwam”. Which suggests the Indian origin of the variety. In essence, this is how it is.

The creator of the blackberry, John Perkins, named it Agawam in honor of the Indian tribe of the same name, which was famous for its resilience, strength and wisdom. The blackberry variety is characterized as the most powerful representative of the crop.

The year of appearance of Agawam is considered to be 1865. For more than a hundred years, the fruits were common in the United States. On the territory of the post-Soviet space, the species is new, as it has been included in the State Register since 2006.

Recommended regions for cultivation

Kumanika Agavam has a high degree of adaptability to all unfavorable moments. Therefore, it is characterized as a strong crop, suitable for all regions and climatic conditions.

It survives drought and plenty of sunlight well, which means it will take root well in the south of the country. Withstands frosts down to -30°C without shelter - suitable for northern regions and the Middle Zone.

Have you grown Agave blackberries?
Not really

Advantages and disadvantages

Let us immediately outline the negative aspects that arise when growing Agawam blackberries. There are two of them:

• the presence of abundant growth;
• change in taste when berries are overexposed after ripening.

Both disadvantages can be easily eliminated if timely care and harvesting are carried out.

There are several times more positive aspects:

• excellent taste indicators according to a 5-point system;
• resistance to frost and drought;
• resistance to numerous diseases and pests;
• fruiting for 15 years, while other varieties of blackberries produce an abundance of fruit only for 10 years;
• the possibility of transportation over long distances without loss of taste and external characteristics;
• high yield rates;
• resistance to getting wet;
• versatility of application.

This unpretentious blackberry variety is widespread in the central zone, despite the fact that some gardeners refuse to plant the variety themselves and advise beginners to avoid planting.

Reason: if harvested at the wrong time, instead of having a sweet taste with a slight sourness, the berries turn into tasteless fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the difference of opinions regarding the variety, Agavam has objective advantages:

1. high yield rates;
2. rapid growth of shoots;
3. resistance to low temperatures, relative frost resistance, does not require shelter for the winter (in the central and southern zone of the country);
4. ease of care;
5. tolerates shade conditions well;
6. undemanding to the composition of the soil;
7. high protective properties against pests and diseases;
8. the ability of the Agave blackberry bush to grow and bear fruit for more than 15 years;
9. tested and tested by time.

Disadvantages of the Agavam variety

:

• the presence of thorns on shoots and leaves;
• the need to pick blackberries exactly on time;
• a huge amount of growth at the roots, which cannot be eliminated forever;
• small berry size.

The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Characteristic

Before moving on to the characteristics of Agawam blackberries, we remind you that this is one of the first varieties, bred about 150 years ago. And it is still planted both on industrial plantations and in private households. If you want to close the tab and move on to other varieties, first watch a video about Agawam blackberries grown without shelter in the south of the Moscow region. Listen to what the owner, who doesn’t want to get involved with thornless new products, says about her:

Main advantages

Agawam blackberries are one of the most frost-resistant varieties. It really can be grown without shelter in Ukraine, Belarus and central Russia. When creating modern varieties, Agavam is used as a donor of frost resistance. It can easily tolerate a short-term decrease in temperature to -25-30⁰ C. Unlike cultivars of Polish selection, the flower buds of the Agavam variety freeze slightly.

But this blackberry does not like extreme heat - the berries can get baked. In the southern regions it can be planted in partial shade - this will have little effect on the harvest. Average drought resistance is a relative concept. All blackberries need to be watered regularly if you want a good harvest. The Agawam variety will respond to poor soil moisture with small berries.

This blackberry has fewer soil requirements than other varieties - it will grow even on soil with a neutral reaction.

Transportability of berries is good at the stage of technical and full ripeness. You should not let it become overripe - then the fruits will only be suitable for processing, but their taste will not be the best (by 3.5 points).

All problems in care come down to the inconvenience caused by sharp and curved spines. This complicates harvesting, and in those regions where the winter is so severe that the vines still need to be covered, sheltered for the winter.

Comment! Otherwise, the Agavam variety is surprisingly unpretentious. Perhaps because it is not far from its wild relatives, who grow without any care.

Flowering period and ripening time

Agawam blackberries bloom in May. In the southern regions, buds with white petals open 7-10 days earlier than in the north. During flowering, the bush is completely covered with a white blanket and looks very elegant.

The berries ripen unevenly. The bulk reaches ripeness by mid-August. For blackberries, these are average terms.

Yield indicators, fruiting dates

The average yield of Agavam blackberries is about 100 c/ha. And this despite the fact that 30 c/ha is considered a good indicator! This harvest is achieved thanks to compacted plantings and the fact that the Agawam variety has good shade tolerance - even those berries that lack light ripen.

Important! This does not mean that blackberries can be planted in deep shade!

From 5 to 15 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. Fruiting is extended. It is better to pick Agave blackberries at the stage of full ripeness, since at the stage of technical maturity or overripe, they have a mediocre taste.

Area of ​​application of berries

Agawam blackberries can be eaten fresh, frozen or processed. They say that the most delicious jam comes from this variety.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Agavam blackberries are resistant to pests and diseases at the level of other varieties. If the berries are not picked on time, gray rot may appear on them.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, the newest varieties are thornless, sweeter and more aromatic. And the photo of Agavam blackberries shows that its berries are not as beautiful as those of Black Magic, Triple Crown or Karaka Black. But it has a number of advantages:

1. High yield.
2. The bush is growing quickly.
3. The Agawam variety is one of the most resistant to cold (including flower buds). Even in the Moscow region it is not necessary to cover it for the winter.
4. Easy to care for.
5. Resistance to getting wet.
6. Shade-tolerant (not to be confused with shade-loving).
7. The Agavam variety is more undemanding to soil than other blackberries.
8. Resistance to diseases and pests.
9. The versatility of using berries.
10. Extension of fruiting.
11. The bush grows and bears fruit in one place for 15 years or more.
12. The Agawam variety is old and proven. We know exactly what to expect from him.

Disadvantages include:

1. Spiking of shoots and leaves.
2. Mediocre taste of overripe or underripe berries. You need to get used to collecting them on time.
3. A huge number of root shoots. It is very difficult to fight her.
4. In the northern regions, shelter for the winter is difficult.
5. The berries are small in size.

Blackberry Agavam: growing variety

Agave belongs to the mid-early varieties and this should be taken into account before planting and growing it in the future.

Growing blackberries from seeds

Recommended planting dates for Agawam blackberries

In the southern zone, Agavam blackberries are planted in the fall, about 30 days before the onset of frost.

In the north, it is worth planting Agava in the spring so that the earth warms up enough. Additionally, planting blackberries at this time will give them a chance to prepare for the cold winter.

Choosing a suitable place to plant blackberries

A distinctive feature of Agawam is that it can also be planted in low-lying areas. However, these should not be completely wetlands, despite its unpretentiousness and resistance to high humidity.

The variety tolerates neutral soil well. To avoid the occurrence of chlorosis, it is worth adding high-moor peat. This will help protect the crop from chlorosis, which cannot withstand high acidity.

A place with a predominance of partial shade, but nevertheless sufficiently illuminated and protected from drafts, is suitable for growing.

Soil preparation

For planting, it is necessary to follow certain rules, as well as soil preparation. This will make care much easier. For planting, you will need to make a planting hole with a depth and diameter of 50 cm.

The top layer of soil is combined with humus (a bucket is enough), fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus (50 g and 120-150 g, respectively).

Depending on the initial condition of the soil:

• when density occurs, sand is added;
• for high acidity, add lime;
• for carbonate soil, add organic matter;
• with alkaline, neutral soil - acidic (high-moor) peat;

The resulting mixture must be mixed well, then fill the planting hole 2/3 full and then fill it with water.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

Finding and purchasing Agavam blackberries should not be difficult, since the variety is very common.

. It is important to pay attention to the development of the roots and the condition of the soil in which you purchase seedlings. There should be no cracks, wrinkles or damage on the shoots. The elasticity and flexibility of the shoots indicates their good quality.

Before planting blackberries in a permanent place of growth, the plant should be moistened. The root is placed in water.

Blackberry Agavam: algorithm and planting scheme

When placing blackberry bushes, be sure to maintain a distance of 2-3 meters from each other. When you plan to plant a larger number, you can plant more densely, with a distance of 1 to 1.5 meters.

Important!

If there are a huge number of thorns, it is still worth placing the bushes away from each other.

To plant blackberries, Agaves need to make a mound in the very center of the hole, carefully straighten the roots, sprinkling additional soil on top. After this, the soil is compacted and moistened again. At the very end, the ground is mulched.

The root neck is deepened by 1.5 - 2 cm.

How to plant a crop correctly

Wild varieties of blackberries were selected to produce Agava. They awarded the variety with high resistance and the ability to adapt to various natural conditions. Therefore, gardeners may deviate from the recommendations. True, not much.

Recommended timing by region

Depending on the location and climatic conditions, Agava blackberries are planted either in the spring - suitable for the northern and central regions, or in the fall - in the southern part of the country.

Autumn planting involves work no more than a month before the cold snap. Spring – obligatory warming of the soil, absence of night frosts.

Choosing a landing site

A positive aspect when cultivating Agavam blackberries is that selecting a special place for planting is not required. The exception is wetlands. The variety is not able to develop in such places and quickly dies.

In all other respects, there are no special requirements, but it is advisable to select a part of the land where there is an abundance of sunlight, protection from wind and drafts from the north.

In areas with a warm climate (south), Agaves are planted in partial shade to prevent the fruits and green parts from burning out in the sun.

Selection and preparation of planting material

When choosing a seedling, special attention should be paid to the condition of the bark, roots, and branches. Do not allow damage or dry places.

The root system must be well developed. A smell reminiscent of fresh soil can indicate the freshness of a seedling. You should not buy blackberries if there are wrinkles or cracks on the bark. The branches and trunk are flexible.

Disembarkation scheme

If selecting a site is not difficult, then you need to plant the Agave blackberry seedlings correctly, following the requirements and diagram. Site preparation begins at least a month before work:

• dig up;
• remove the root system from previous plantings;
• fertilize with mineral complexes;
• dig again.

The planting hole is made based on the same width, depth, diameter - at least 50 cm + drainage layer. A third of the excavated soil is mixed with:

• a bucket of humus;
• potassium – 50 g;
• phosphorus – 150 g.

If it is necessary to increase acidity, lime is added to the soil, and river sand is added to reduce density. The seedling is placed together with the future support on the drainage layer and covered with the prepared mixture.

Pour in water until 2/3 of the hole is filled, and fill the planting completely. Pour in a bucket of settled water and mulch the root zone.

Important! It is not always possible to buy a seedling immediately before planting. If the purchase of blackberries was carried out in advance, before the procedure, the roots of the bush are soaked in a clay mash. If there is a lump of earth on the roots, soaking is recommended in melt or rain water.

Further care for Agavam blackberries

Agawam shoots are quite long, reaching up to 3 meters in length. They must be tied up. The best option is a horizontal arrangement, at a distance of 25 cm from each other. Young shoots are tied in the same way.

How to improve the yield of the Agavam variety

Factors affecting yield:

• systematic watering, with a lack of moisture the berries become small;
• timely pruning of dry branches that no longer bear fruit;
• enough light.
  To obtain a good harvest, it is necessary to apply fertilizing in a timely manner.

  Interesting!
  Pumpkin Pearl

  Necessary activities

  First of all, watering should be carried out systematically, immediately after planting. In this case, watering is carried out 2 times every 7 days. The rest of the time, depending on the degree of drying of the soil.

  In the spring, Agave blackberries are fertilized with nitrogen, and when the buds open, complex mineral fertilizer is used.

  Planting and care

  After the entire crop is harvested, potassium monophosphate is added to the soil. During periods of extreme heat, as well as during periods of rain or, conversely, severe drought, spraying with epin, as well as zircon, can be carried out in a sequence of 14 days. You can also add chelates so that the leaves do not turn yellow and are green.

  In spring and autumn, it is worth loosening the soil. During flowering and fruiting, it is worth replacing it with mulching. The material you can use is peat and humus. This procedure will help retain moisture inside for a long time.

  Agawam blackberry bush pruning

  Pruning helps increase yield. In this case, in any case, regardless of whether it is worth covering the plant for the winter or not, it is worth pruning the shoots after harvesting the fruits. Agawam blackberries can be pruned in both fall and spring.

  .

  It is worth starting pruning after the blackberry reaches the age of 3 years, since it is in the 4th year that the shoots begin their full growth. Remove dry, broken branches, as well as lashes that are affected by the disease.

  Pruning blackberry bushes in spring - video

  On an adult blackberry bush, for further fruit formation, leave from 4 to 6 of the most powerful shoots

  . During the process of growth and development, the tops of the shoots are cut off from the sides from 7 to 10 cm. This will lead to greater branching, and, accordingly, to the formation of more clusters with fruits.

  Compared to other varieties, Agawam has a lot of growth

  . However, no measures will help get rid of them. The only thing that remains is to regularly remove the growth on the surface of the earth.

  Pruning Agavam blackberries is a mandatory and quite labor-intensive procedure.

  Preparing Agavam blackberries for winter

  In the south of the country, as well as in the middle zone, blackberries do not necessarily need to be covered

  . Where shelter is necessary, it is recommended to choose other varieties. Imagine how difficult this procedure will be if you have to bend powerful and thorny stems. Quite problematic.

  There is one option for covering Agawam blackberries using a trellis. In this case, the root is sprinkled with earth, the shoots are covered with agrofibre.

  How to care for Avagam blackberries in autumn

Growing and care

Growing unpretentious garden blackberries Agawam is not difficult. It is necessary to carry out traditional operations for caring for berry bushes - watering, fertilizing, timely pruning. If you use mulch to cover the soil layer under the bushes, watering and loosening the soil become unnecessary. Mulch not only protects against weeds, but also allows plants to use soil moisture sparingly.

What you need to know about watering

Agave is a very undemanding variety of berry crop in terms of water. With a lack of moisture, the berries become smaller and the yield decreases. At the beginning of the growing season, the plant uses winter melt water.

The greatest need for water occurs during the period of setting and filling berries. In the absence of precipitation, blackberries must be watered once a week with settled, heated water - 2-3 buckets per bush.

Blackberry pruning - what you need to know about bush formation

A vigorous plant should not be left to its own devices - the yield and health of the bush, and not just its appearance, depend on proper shaping (pruning).

The first couple of years of growing a bush are aimed at forming the root system - the plant is gaining strength. Regular pruning according to plan begins in the 4th year of growth.

1. in the spring, remove frozen and mechanically damaged branches;
2. in July, on young shoots of the 1st year, the tops are shortened by 7...10 cm to form branches of the 2nd order. Reception of puncturing guarantees an increase in yield next season.
3. After fruiting, 2-year-old shoots are completely cut out.

For a good harvest and maintaining the health of the bush, it is enough to leave 4...6 branches per bush. Thickening the bush only complicates the harvesting of berries - there will be no increase in yield.

Blackberry shoots can reach a height of three meters. The shoots are erect, but with such a size, a trellis arrangement is desirable. To grow on a trellis, it is enough to drive pipes along the row at intervals of 3-5 m and stretch the wire between them at three levels: 40 cm, 120 cm, 170 cm. Growing on a trellis significantly increases the yield and facilitates the harvesting process.

What you need to know about fertilizing

Violation of the diet leads to an excess or deficiency of microelements, which deteriorates the quality of the berries and weakens the plant - the bush may even get sick. A bramble seedling, planted according to the rules, makes do with food reserves from the root zone of the hole for a couple of years. When a plant enters a period of active fruiting, it requires additional nutrition to increase green mass.

1. The best option is mulching with organic matter (compost, humus) in a layer of at least 7 cm. Nitrogen compounds will evenly enter the root zone throughout the season.
2. in the absence of such a mulching layer, nitrogen fertilizing is applied at the beginning of the growing season (late April - early May) at the rate of 30 g (2 tablespoons) of urea per 1 bucket of water. Give 1-2 buckets of solution for each bush, then water it with the same amount of water.

To introduce microelements in a natural ecological form, wood ash is used - 1...2 liters of ash are scattered evenly under the bush. Under the influence of watering and precipitation, potassium and phosphorus will gradually flow to the roots in small doses.

How to prepare blackberries for winter

Winter-hardy Agavam blackberries are not afraid of frost and do not require special preparation. Mature wood can withstand -30 degrees without damage. In order for the bush to prepare for winter (the wood has matured), several simple rules should be followed.

1. avoid thickening of plantings;
2. do not feed the bush with nitrogen fertilizers at the end of the season;
3. Cut out fruit-bearing branches immediately after harvesting.

In regions with a harsh climate and little snow in winter, blackberries are removed from the trellis, laid on the ground, pinned and covered with spunbond or burlap.

Agave blackberry resistance to diseases and pests

The Agavam blackberry variety has high resistance to pests and diseases.

. But it is important to collect berries in a timely manner, otherwise a disease such as gray rot may appear.

With the correct arrangement of nearby crops, for example, blackberries, raspberries, nightshades, it will practically not get sick. It is important to maintain distance between plants.

To prevent diseases in autumn and spring, Agava blackberries must be treated with preparations that contain copper.

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Resistance to diseases, pests, prevention

In Agave blackberries, resistance to various diseases and pests is no different from the resistance of other varieties. If you are late in harvesting, the plant may develop gray rot.

If you plant blackberry bushes away from raspberries, strawberries and nightshade crops, then they will not suffer from diseases at all or extremely rarely. It is better to maintain a distance of 50 meters.

In spring and autumn, preventive measures can be taken and plants can be treated with copper-containing preparations.

Blackberry Agavam: reviews from those who grow the variety

Kristina, Rostov-on-Don: I have been growing the Avagam variety for several years in a row. I don’t plan to harvest the berries yet, since the harvest is very good every season. It is worth mentioning separately that it is necessary to protect from strong sun, as well as to carry out pruning in a timely manner. I especially like the taste of berries - sweet and juicy. You can make juices, confitures, and jams from them.

Evgeniy, Stavropol: A work colleague recommended this variety to me for cultivation. I did not immediately decide to grow the variety, since almost everywhere they talk about its thorniness. However, I decided to try to grow it anyway. Partly due to the fact that the culture does not require shelter. I did not regret choosing the Agave blackberry variety, as the fruits have a sweet-sour taste that I love. All berries look very aesthetically pleasing. Now I plan to plant more. It makes excellent wine from the berries. They are also good fresh.

Agave blackberries belong to the old varieties. However, it is not necessary to cover it - it is considered one of the most resilient and healthy,

today, since it is closely related to the wild crop. Those who have been growing it for several years are quite satisfied

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Trimming

In the first years, Agavam blackberries do not require much effort to form. But having come into force, this variety begins to drive out vines that are too long, which can turn the plantation into a jungle. Therefore, starting from the fourth year of life, Agaves need to be trimmed regularly.

Apart from the autumn removal of fruit-bearing branches, Agawams are pruned twice per season. The first pruning is carried out in the spring. Having released the overwintered vines, they are carefully inspected. Living shoots have shiny brown bark, they are elastic and strong, not brittle. Frozen ones must be cut out immediately. For a good harvest, 4-6 branches are enough.

The second pruning is carried out in July on this year's substitute shoots using the pinching method - pinching the top by 7-10 cm. For brambles, this is a mandatory technique that stimulates fruiting the next year. On second-order shoots, when they grow back, the procedure is repeated.

Bushes with Agawam blackberries

Description

Let's get acquainted with the characteristics of this berry crop.

Origin

The Agawam variety is one of the oldest: it was created in the mid-19th century. Note that due to such a long history, details of the origin and selection have been lost. It can be said with certainty that this blackberry crop was developed in the USA, and its ancestors were wild varieties of the berry.

In our country, the variety was included in the State Register in 2006 - from about that time it was recommended for cultivation in Russia.

Let us note that after its creation, the Agavam variety held the palm among large-fruited blackberry varieties for almost several years. The variety has become widespread throughout America, as well as Europe.

Peculiarities

The Agawam variety is one of the most cold-resistant: without shelter it can grow even in the middle zone. Based on this ancient variety, many other, more modern frost-resistant varieties have already been bred. The plant can tolerate frosts down to -25-30 degrees without protection. But blackberries cannot tolerate excessive heat or heat. It is better not to plant it in the sun - the berries will bake and dry during the period of ripeness.

The plant makes no demands on the soil, which is good for gardeners. The harvest is well transported, but only if the berries have not yet become overripe.

Flowering occurs in May: in the south earlier than in cool areas. The snow-white bush looks very elegant at this time.

External description

• The bush of this plant is formed quite powerful, squat, but compact.
• The shoots are strong, thickened, and have slightly drooping tips.
• The branches are thorned - fortunately, the thorns are bent downwards. But if you prick yourself, the scratch will be very painful.
• Young shoots grow green and become woody with age, acquiring a characteristic brownish color.
• The foliage has a characteristic "blackberry" shape - several blades emerge from a single central point.
• The leaves have a corrugated structure, pubescence, and narrowed tips. The leaves sit so tightly on their petioles that even in winter the plant often leaves with leaves.
• The crop bears fruit on shoots of the second year of life.

Description of berries

• The fruits in this case are medium in size, weighing from 4 to 5 grams.
• The color is characteristic black, the shape is traditional cone-shaped.
• The taste is excellent - the berries have a sweetish-sour taste.
• The structure of the fruits is quite dense, making them excellent for transportation, including over long distances.

Important: the fruit should not be allowed to become overripe, as in an overripe state the berries become tasteless - too watery, softened, and sour. It is not recommended to transport and store them in this condition.

Reviews and recommendations from gardeners

Many summer residents complain that it is easy to buy and plant blackberries for agaves, but then it is more difficult to expel them from the territory. In addition, the plant is thorny and difficult to care for. Experts advise not to regret and remove as many unnecessary shoots as possible.

Of course, the berries are so tasty that the rest is trifle.

Harvest delicious berries from a summer cottage

In addition, this variety has many advantages:

• no need to cover the bushes in winter;
• blackberries are adaptable to frosts up to 30 degrees;
• it is not necessary to create special conditions during cultivation;
• Fruiting is excellent in any area, in the shade or in the sun.

Advice! During dry periods, seedlings need to be watered more often to avoid a decrease in yield. But you can’t overdo it, otherwise it will lead to damage to the bushes by purple spot and weevil. Infection of berries with gray rot.

Mid-season varieties

Mid-season berry crops typically bear fruit in July – early August. This group includes the following varieties of medium ripening.

Blackberry Chačanska Bestrna

A variety of Serbian selection with a medium-late ripening period. The bushes are vigorous, the shoots are without thorns. The fruits are large (9-15 g), the surface is shiny, they are black in color when fully ripe, they are easily removed from the branches, and more than 80 drupes ripen simultaneously on one vine. The taste of the berries is excellent - very sweet, dessert-like, without the characteristic acidity or astringency.

Blackberry Doyle

The newest thornless variety Doyle is the pride of American breeders. The bush is compact, the vines are long (up to 4 meters), horizontally directed. The drupes are very fragrant, large (8-10 g), elongated in shape, rich black in color with a glossy surface. Fruiting is extended - from early July to mid-September. Productivity is maximum. Characterized by high resistance to disease and frost.

Blackberry Kitatini

The bushes are powerful. Creeping shoots without thorns definitely need support. The fruits are large (up to 15 g), elongated conical in shape, dessert, and taste very sweet. Easily tolerates both drought and frost.

Blackberry Guy

A new hybrid of Polish selection, cultivated since 2008. The berries are medium-sized (6-7 g), elongated, glossy surface, black in color, sweet and sour in taste. Erect powerful lashes (up to 3 meters in height) require pruning and shaping. Productivity is average - up to 12 kg/bush. It has above average resistance to disease and frost.

Blackberry Darrow

A thornless hybrid of American selection, it is considered one of the most frost-resistant - can withstand temperatures down to -34°C. The lashes are powerful, erect (2-3 m), but need support. The berries are medium-sized (4-6 g), oblong, black in color, with a sour-sweet taste, which become insipid when overripe.

Cumberland variety

Cumberland is a black raspberry, although the berry looks more like a blackberry. It was bred by American breeders back in the 80s, but it began to be grown in our gardens recently. Cumberland raspberries are famous for their rich vitamin composition and beneficial properties: they have antimicrobial, antiviral effects, and improve immunity.

Cumberland berries are not large (2-3 g), covered with a waxy coating, very sweet, taste like mulberries - they have no acid at all, which is why children love them so much. Productivity is high - more than 10 kg/1 bush. Frost resistance is also excellent - it easily tolerates temperatures below -30°C. Cumberland raspberry has erect, long (up to 3 m) branches with small thorns and needs to be grown on a support.

Blackberry Flint

The positive quality of this variety is its high winter hardiness and immunity to diseases and pests. Compact bush, low shoots (up to 1.5 m). The fruits are medium in size (5-6 g), blue-black in color, with an excellent sour-sweet taste. They ripen almost simultaneously, are transportable, and have a good presentation.

Features of Navajo blackberries

Navajo blackberry: photo

The Navajo blackberry variety has characteristics that attract the attention of a wide variety of gardeners with varying degrees of blackberry growing experience. In this regard, it is increasingly being chosen for cultivation on their territories by Russian summer residents

Main advantages.

Navajo blackberries are an undemanding variety and do not require any special care. It has good tolerance to dry periods, is able to grow on almost any soil (but likes to grow on sandy and loamy soils filled with nutrients), has good resistance to frosty periods (down to minus twenty degrees), therefore in areas where temperature conditions decrease in winter year occurs at least -20 degrees, it does not need to be covered. In other regions, the bush will need shelter. The shoots do not have thorns, which means that picking berries by hand will be much easier.

Navajo blackberries: ripening dates

Navajo blackberries ripen late, which means they bloom later; in mid-Russian latitudes, flowers appear from the 15th of June. Fruit ripening, as indicated in the description, occurs in August or September. This is influenced by the weather of a certain time of year, the well-being of the bushes themselves and, to some extent, the planting site (in a well-lit or shady area).

Productivity, fruiting.

Due to the many fruits, the yield rate is quite high - nine kg / one square. The bush bears fruit over a long period of time - three to four weeks.

Where are Navajo blackberries used?

For the most part, the berries are eaten fresh, but they are also used for winter storage. The fruits are used to make compote, jam, preserves, stuff pies with them, and use them for freezing.

Immunity to diseases and resistance to attacks by harmful insects.

It has been noticed that the Navajo blackberry variety does not get sick, and harmful insects do not attack it, therefore, there is no need to treat the bushes with pesticides if there is no need. In this regard, the waste of time, money and effort that a summer resident would spend on cultivating blackberries is reduced.

Advantages and disadvantages.

Pros.

• The variety is self-fertile (no pollinating assistants are needed for the ovaries to form).
• A decent yield indicator, since the fruits are produced in large quantities.
• Unpretentiousness to growing conditions.
• Easy to care for (since the shoots are vertical).
• You can easily pick the fruits because there are no thorns and the berries are in large clusters.
• The fruits are well preserved and transported (even though the berries are juicy, they retain their elasticity and do not spread for almost seven days after they were picked).
• Excellent dessert taste of berries.

There are also disadvantages. Gardeners say that with increased humidity and in the summer season with cool temperature conditions, the yield indicator becomes lower; the taste of the fruit is affected by the radiation of heat and light that the bushes absorbed. Another disadvantage is that it is necessary to cut off excess vines that thicken the plants.

Features of planting and growing

Blackberries in Siberia planting and care

As has already become clear from the above characteristics of the variety, propagation of the berry plant will not be difficult. But even if the culture is unpretentious in its essence, this does not mean that one should not adhere to the rules of agricultural technology. This is the only way to achieve higher yields.

Site selection

The most suitable soil for planting is light sandy loam with a neutral pH level. If the site has acidified soil, preliminary liming will be required. Even if Agawam is a shade-tolerant plant, it is better to plant it in a sunny meadow. This will ensure greater fertility and saturate the berries with sugars.

Note! This is especially important in the northern regions, where summers are shorter. In the shade, fruits on annual shoots simply will not have time to ripen in this case.

Preparing the site

Having decided how best to plant Agaves, they begin digging trenches or holes, arranging them according to this principle:

• if you plan to plant single bushes, then a square with a side of 2 m is allocated for each plant, and a hole is dug in its center;
• It is better to use the ordinary method along the border of the site, retreating 1 meter from the fence.

When deepening and expanding a hole or trench, it should be taken into account that seedlings of this variety have a highly developed root system. Freshly planted plants should feel comfortable in the ground. Therefore, the depth should be at least 0.6 m, and the width should be about 1 m.

Agawam hedge

Having prepared the places for planting the sprouts, apply the necessary fertilizers: first a layer of mullein, then humus, 150 g of phosphate and 50 g of potassium fertilizer for each bush. From above, all this is covered with humus in the hope that the nutrient “cushion” will fill half the volume of the pit. Water generously and leave for 2-3 weeks, after which you can begin planting.

Planting

The best time to plant Agave is early spring. The plants will have a whole season to become well established. If an ordinary planting method is chosen, then the seedlings in the trench are located at a distance of 1 m from each other. This will provide a good hedge in the future.

Important! To prevent the buds from which replacement shoots develop from drying out in summer and freezing in winter, experienced farmers recommend burying the root collar 2-3 cm into the soil when planting.

When the planting of seedlings is finished, they are cut off, leaving about 25 cm above the surface. Then the bushes are watered abundantly and the tree trunk circle is mulched. In this case, Agave prefers coniferous litter mixed with bark.

Garter

Since the branches of the variety grow long, and a lot of berries are produced on them, it is impossible to do without installing a trellis, otherwise the shoots will die and the fruits will begin to rot. They arrange the support ahead of time, from the moment the seedlings are planted.

If planting was carried out using the trench method, then pillars (strong timber or reinforcement) at least 2 m high are driven in from both ends of the row. The wire will be stretched gradually as the bush grows. A total of 3 garter belts are formed - at a height of 0.4 m, 1.2 m, 1.7 m.

The support is designed in the same way around isolated plants. Each branch is tied separately, fan-shaped, at a distance of 25 cm from each other.

Features of care

Growing this variety of blackberry does not require much effort. Agave is unpretentious, so basic care comes down to the following points:

• despite its drought resistance, in hot summers it is recommended to water the plant every week, adding 2-3 buckets of water under the root;
• blackberry roots need to be provided with access to oxygen, so loosening and weed control is a regular procedure;
• fertilizers applied during planting will last the plant for 3 years; then every spring it is recommended to add a bucket of settled compost or rotted manure under the bush.

Having received decent care, the garden blackberry will produce large harvests of delicious, aromatic berries every year.

Reproduction

The Agavam blackberry variety reproduces by all means available to upright shrubs: lateral shoots, root cuttings, dividing bushes and even seeds. The first option is the most common; fortunately, the bush produces a large number of children every year.

The bush develops many extra shoots that should be removed. They are also excellent raw material for propagation. You can also take a part of the root at a distance of at least 0.5 m from the bush, which should be immediately planted in a permanent place or kept in the basement over the winter.

Dividing the bush is usually resorted to when the roots do not produce the required amount of planting material, or the time has come to transplant the plant to a new place (and this must be done 12-15 years after the first planting).

Planting material

Additional Information. The most labor-intensive way to propagate varietal blackberries is with seeds. To get good germination, planting material should not be bought secondhand. You can go to an online store registered in Moscow and order high-quality seeds from them.

Trimming

Caring for the crop involves regular pruning. Their goal is to make the plant stronger, healthier and more fertile. The features of the procedure are:

• after harvesting, all fruit-bearing stems are cut out completely, leaving only young shoots;
• annual shoots are also thinned out, leaving only well-ripened, thick branches;
• those shoots that remain are shortened by one quarter; this will provide more ovaries for the next year;
• leaving about 10 shoots before winter, they are inspected in the spring to remove frozen and weak ones; for normal fruiting, 6-8 branches from last year will be enough;
• In summer, young shoots are pruned, shortening them by 10 cm.

Such procedures are mandatory - they will prevent the blackberries from thickening and degenerating from a garden crop into a wild plant.

Diseases and pests

The variety is quite resistant to infectious diseases, but improperly selected nutrition can lead to various problems. Both a lack of mineral elements and their excess have a negative impact on the plant. This should be taken into account when feeding.

The main scourge of blackberries are the larvae of the cockchafer and mole cricket - they prefer to feast on the roots of the plant. To avoid this, it is recommended to plant marigolds and marigolds near the bushes. Their ethereal aroma will repel pests.

Preparing for winter

Frost-resistant garden crops in the southern regions calmly endure winters without shelter. In cold weather down to -25 degrees, only a snow “blanket” will be enough. If a harsh winter is expected, you should prepare a wooden shelter, which is built in the form of a hut over the bushes and covered with plastic film.

Option for covering blackberries for the winter

The stems themselves, left for the winter, are tied in a bunch and bent to the ground. They should be tied to the bottom row of wire on the trellis. At the same time, do not forget to remove all remaining leaves from the branches. If everything is done correctly, the summer resident will receive a large harvest next year.

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