Black mulberry varieties and cultivation features

Black mulberry is a species of the Moraceae family. This affiliation has given rise to the plant's common name, "mulberry tree." Breeders have also developed cultivars based on these species.

Their photos with names testify to the painstaking work of specialists from scientific institutes, who managed to create various forms of black mulberry.

With proper planting, caring for the plant, as well as propagation, is simple. In reviews, accompanied by photos of mulberry fruits, gardeners simply point out the importance of strictly following cultivation techniques.

Description of the plant

The plant is native to warm subtropical climates. Both white and black mulberry are typical varieties. Its natural habitats are concentrated in Asia and the Mediterranean. Trees (rarely shrubs) grow up to 15 m. Spreading branches form the crown. Foliage is dense. The heart-shaped leaf blades are pubescent on the underside. Large-leaved specimens reach up to 20 cm in length.

The plant produces a rich harvest of large berries, the size of which varies slightly depending on the variety. The fruit has a complex shape and is purple in color. The berries resemble raspberries or blackberries in structure. The flesh is juicy and fleshy. The flavor is sweet and sour. The seeds are very small. Since ripening is spread out over time, the harvest is carried out throughout the summer.

Bloom

This phase is easy to miss. During flowering, very small flowers bloom, barely noticeable among the green foliage. Because both male and female flowers bloom on a self-fertile tree, pollination occurs by wind and does not require the necessary intervention of bees or other pollinating insects.

However, there are varieties with monoecious trees. Only those with female flowers will bear fruit. Trees with male flowers act as pollinators and are planted nearby. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer. The timing is influenced by the climate of the growing region.

Benefits of black mulberry

The berries contain a high concentration of essential chemical elements and vitamins. This is what makes mulberry fruit so beneficial. They contain the following substances:

• vitamins – C, E, K, PP, group B;
• a number of macroelements – calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and others;
• microelements – zinc, selenium, copper, iron;
• natural antioxidant – carotene.

In traditional medicine, mulberry berries have been used to treat anemia associated with gastritis (if the patient has high acidity). In folk medicine, mulberries are used to prepare decoctions and infusions. Fresh juice is also used. All types of remedies are effective in treating sore throats, tonsillitis, stomatitis of the biliary tract, gastrointestinal tract, pneumonia, and bronchitis with a lingering cough. A bark-based decoction is an effective anthelmintic. An infusion of the berries is helpful for colds, and an infusion of the leaves is used for hypertension.

Catalog of the best varieties

Specialists at breeding institutes work tirelessly to develop new varieties and refine the characteristics of existing ones. Unlike the heat-loving typical variety, these artificial varieties are zoned. They are better adapted to the climate of the growing region, able to withstand harsh winters and produce a bountiful harvest every year.

Admiralskaya

This variety is the result of the efforts of Russian breeders. It was developed by the K.A. Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy. The plant is frost-hardy and drought-resistant. Thanks to these qualities, the variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation and approved for cultivation in all regions. The "Admiralskaya" mulberry produces tall, spreading trees with strong skeletal branches.

Vladimirskaya

A mulberry suitable for growing in risky farming zones, including the Moscow region. This tall, vigorous tree can reach a height of 6 meters. Its broad crown is formed by numerous lateral shoots. The Vladimirskaya mulberry is prized for its very sweet and aromatic fruits, which are dark purple in color. They are not very large, reaching up to 3 cm in length.

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The Black Baroness

A black-fruited mulberry tree, which is actually a member of the white mulberry family. This variety, with its spherical crown, was developed in a test plot in the Belgorod region. The tree produces berries up to 4 cm long. Ripening time is mid- to late. These undemanding trees can withstand temperatures down to -30°C. This variety is very productive.

"Darkie"

The description of this variety shares many characteristics with the previous one. It is high-yielding and winter-hardy. The fruits are large and juicy, reaching 3.5 cm in length. This large-fruited black mulberry blooms early. The fruiting period, which lasts almost three months, begins in early summer. The berries have a sweet flavor with a subtle tartness. The color is deep purple.

The Black Prince

Medium-sized trees with a lush, spreading crown. Seedlings don't require full sun and thrive in partial shade. The leaves are asymmetrical and ovate, with serrated edges. Maasa berries can reach 10 g at 4 cm in length. With proper cultivation and care, a single tree can yield up to 100 kg. This variety is suitable for cultivation in the southern regions and the Moscow region.

"Turk"

A medium-sized plant boasting longevity, the 'Turchanka' mulberry grows for two hundred years without losing its varietal characteristics or qualities. The fruiting period, when large berries up to 5 cm long can be harvested, extends from late spring until almost autumn. Although the variety is winter-hardy, the roots can freeze if the soil reaches -10 to -15°C.

Ostryakovskaya

A winter-hardy variety of delicious sweet and sour berries that begin to ripen in mid-June. The fruits are very large, black, fleshy, and juicy. The 'Ostryakovskaya' mulberry grows up to 5.5 m with a wide, spreading crown. It is frost-resistant to -25°C. This sun-loving plant is characterized by poor tolerance to diseases and pests. The crop ripens unevenly.

Nadiya

A less frost-resistant mulberry. The black mulberry 'Nadiya' can freeze without cover in snowless winters when the ground freezes to -7°C. The plants are medium-sized. A young tree produces about 20 kg of cylindrical, dark-purple berries in its fifth year. The berries are 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. They have a pleasant, sweet-tart flavor.

Shelley

Not only is this a productive cultivar, but it's also highly decorative. This dessert variety produces large, elongated berries. The dark fruits have a distinctive shine. Because of their dense structure, they retain their marketable appearance for a long time and withstand transportation well. Cultivation practices for the 'Shelley' mulberry are standard: timely pruning, regular fertilizing, and watering as needed.

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Royal

A productive variety featuring medium-sized trees with dense, light-green foliage. The berries are large – 3 cm – and black in color. The flavor and aroma are pleasant. The "Royal" mulberry has excellent transport qualities. It grows quickly in any soil and does not require abundant watering. The plant tolerates pruning well, resulting in a spherical shape.

Hartout

Fruiting begins in the third year. Yields are high and consistent. Winemakers highly value the "Hartut" mulberry for its fleshy and delicious black berries. The berries are large—5.5 cm. The concentrated juice squeezed from them tastes similar to Cahors wine. This variety is used in cooking. It is easy to grow and is tolerant of pathogens.

Chinese long-fruited

The mulberry tree owes its name to its natural habitat. The "Chinese Long-fruited" mulberry variety is unique in its own way: its berries reach 10-15 cm in length. They are delicate in flavor and rich in a variety of vitamins. The plant is frost-hardy and branches well. The crown is beautiful and even, even without constant pruning.

Black Pearl

Since the variety has average frost resistance, it is recommended for cultivation only in warmer regions. However, even there, it is best to cover the tree trunks with a mulch such as peat or sawdust during the winter. Fruiting lasts for about two months, during which time large fruits weighing up to 9 g are harvested. The berries are no more than 4 cm long. In particularly fruitful years, the fruits may become smaller, compensating for this in quantity.

Istanbul

A late-ripening selection, the 'Istanbul' black mulberry thrives in sunny locations. It is undemanding regarding soil conditions. Due to its low frost resistance, it is not planted in temperate climates, much less in northern regions. It begins bearing fruit early. The crown is dense and spherical, consisting of strong, well-branched shoots.

Planting black mulberry

The crop can be planted in both spring and fall. In the former case, the optimal time is before the sap begins to flow. Planting should be completed by mid-April. Spring planting is more suitable for temperate climates, where early autumn frosts are common. In warmer regions, fall planting is preferred, as the plants that survive the winter have established themselves and, if cultivated correctly, will not die.

Selecting a site

Mulberries thrive in sunny locations protected from drafts and cold, northern winds. The tree isn't picky about soil composition, but it should be loose and allow free oxygen access to the roots. If the groundwater table is low, consider another site, as mulberries don't tolerate waterlogged soil.

Planting material

For planting, use seedlings with both open and closed root systems. In the former case, carefully examine the roots for signs of disease. If the mulberry is in a container, inspect the root ball. It should be firm, indicating that the seedling was transplanted into the container a long time ago, where it has successfully rooted and continues to grow.

Planting material is purchased from mulberry nurseries or specialized garden centers to avoid the possibility of unscrupulous employees selling the wrong variety or even the wrong cultivar. Two-year-old seedlings have a high survival rate. All branches should be healthy, free from mechanical damage.

Landing rules

Planting work takes several days. Here's the sequence of actions:

1. A week before planting, dig holes measuring 70 x 70 cm and at least half a meter deep.
2. An interval of 3-5 m is maintained between specimens.
3. A mixture of extracted soil and humus with the addition of 70 g of superphosphate is placed into the hole, forming a mound.
4. A seedling with straightened roots is placed on the substrate and sprinkled with fertile soil.
5. The soil in the tree trunk circle is compacted and moistened.

Caring for the crop

The mulberry tree thrives even with minimal care. Its lifespan averages two hundred years. However, with proper care, it will continue to produce a steady harvest for another century. Young trees require more careful monitoring; over time, they will only require fertilizing: most mulberry trees are drought-resistant and have excellent immunity.

Watering

Mulberry trees require additional watering only after planting and during periods of severe drought. If there has been no rain for a long time, but July is approaching its end, there's no need to water the mulberry tree. Mature plants also don't require irrigation if the winter was snowy and precipitation was short-lived. Mature trees are generally not watered due to the plant's inherently hardy nature.

Soil treatment

As seedlings begin to grow, they require more nutrients and moisture. Weeds are systematically removed from the tree's trunk area to eliminate these nutrients. After rainfall or irrigation, the soil under the tree's crown should be loosened to maintain good aeration. In southern regions, where soil drought is common, the soil around the trunk is mulched to prevent excessive moisture evaporation.

Top dressing and fertilizers

To ensure vigorous growth and increase yield, mulberries are fed with organic and mineral fertilizers. If nutrient supplements were applied at planting, soil enrichment begins only in the second year of development. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used in the spring, as this macronutrient stimulates foliage growth. Phosphorus and potassium are added during the budding and flowering stages to promote the intensity and duration of fruiting.

Trimming

Mulberries are pruned during the dormant season. Formative and rejuvenating pruning is performed in the spring. Weeping varieties also require thinning pruning, removing shoots that are crowding the crown or growing in the wrong direction. In the fall, mulberries are pruned for sanitary purposes, removing damaged and injured branches. Crown shaping begins once the tree reaches a height of one and a half meters.

Preparing for winter

Frost-hardy varieties are prepared for winter only when the plants are less than five years old. The trunks are wrapped in several layers of covering material. It is also recommended to bend them to the ground and cover them with spruce branches. To protect the root system from frost damage, the trunk circles are mulched with a thick layer of peat. Sawdust can be used as an alternative.

Methods of reproduction

There are many methods for propagating mulberries. Vegetative propagation, which is less labor-intensive, is used at home. For example, inexperienced gardeners rarely resort to grafting due to the complexity of the procedure. Generative propagation does not guarantee the preservation of varietal qualities. It is used primarily by breeders to develop new varieties.

Seeds

A long and labor-intensive process. Here's how:

1. They collect a handful of berries and place them in a container for fermentation.
2. They are filled with water, ground, and the separated shell is removed.
3. The seeds are washed several times, dried clean and stored in a paper bag until spring.
4. One and a half months before sowing, the seed material is stratified by placing it in a damp cloth in the freezer.
5. Sow seeds to a depth of 1 cm in loose soil.
6. Place the container on a light windowsill and cover it with glass.
7. The latter is periodically removed to ventilate and moisten the crops.
8. The seedlings are pricked out only after three true leaves have formed.

Root shoots

This method is used when there is a mature plant on the site. If the mother plant has been severely damaged by frost during winter, this method is indispensable. Here's the sequence of actions:

1. Select a root sucker to replace the old plant. Remove unwanted shoots, pulling them out of the soil along with their roots.
2. The shoots of the selected specimen are shortened by a third.
3. They are transplanted to a permanent growing location.

By vaccination

Experienced gardeners recommend mastering simple copulation, which involves grafting the scion and rootstock together. They should be of equal thickness. Oblique cuts are made on the rootstock and scion between two buds. The length of the cuts should be equal to the diameter of the plants being grafted, multiplied by four. Once the cuts are aligned, they are wrapped with elastic material or special tape designed for copulation.

Layering

If you already have a mulberry tree, you can propagate your favorite variety by layering. The lower branches are used for this purpose. If you perform this procedure in the spring, the young plant can be separated and planted in a prepared location in the fall. The main steps are:

1. The most suitable branch is bent to the ground and secured with staples.
2. The shoot is covered with soil.
3. To promote rapid rooting, make a circular cut in the bark of the layering. This technique stimulates root formation.

Cuttings

Own-rooted trees are propagated using cuttings. Green shoots are taken in the first half of summer, when the plant is actively growing. They are 15-20 cm long. Each cutting should have at least two buds. The main difficulty with this method is that it cannot be carried out without a special device capable of creating a fine mist of water in the greenhouse.

To ensure successful rooting, plant the cherni in compliance with basic requirements. Step-by-step instructions:

1. The soil is well loosened.
2. The prepared cuttings are planted at an angle of 45° to a depth of 3 cm.
3. Remove all leaves except the top two or three.
4. The remaining leaf blades are shortened by half.
5. High humidity is maintained in the greenhouse.
6. The seedlings are transplanted into open ground the following spring.

Harvesting Features

Most varieties produce their first harvest as early as their third year of development. The berries are still quite small, but this is enough to confirm the varietal quality of the plant. Once the tree reaches 10 years of age, the fruits become large, and the size should correspond to the manufacturer's stated size. If you don't have the time or don't want to wait, you can graft a mother plant onto the trunk of a young tree. This will accelerate the formation of large berries for several years.

Harvesting takes a long time due to the gradual ripening of the berries. However, it doesn't require much effort, as there's no need to climb the tree or shake it. When the fruits reach full ripeness, they fall naturally. Simply spread a thick cloth on the ground beneath the tree to prevent the juicy berries from breaking when they fall. Ripening times vary depending on the specific variety.

Diseases and pests

When grown properly, mulberries are healthy and have a strong immune system. However, under unfavorable weather conditions or cultivation errors, the tree can be attacked by pests. Root rot is the most common disease, while bacterial blight, powdery mildew, small leaf blight, and leaf curl are less common. The development of the former is provoked by systematic overwatering or planting in areas with a high water table. Pests include geometer moths, May beetles, spider mites, mealybugs, and May beetles.

To reduce the risk of tree infestation by pathogens, regular preventative treatments are necessary. Both the plant itself and the soil beneath the crown should be sprayed. Tank mixes of insecticides and fungicides are used for treatments. The optimal time is early April, before the buds begin to swell. Preventative measures are also advisable after the end of the growing season, when the tree has shed its leaves and entered a period of stagnation.

Growing a healthy and productive mulberry tree in your garden is easy. The key is to plant the right variety, taking into account the growing region's agroclimatic conditions, and follow the proper cultivation guidelines for mulberry trees.