What is the difference between blackberries and black raspberries?

Characteristics of black raspberries

Black, or blackberry-like raspberry - a perennial shrub with a two-year growing cycle - shoots grow in the first year, and begin to bear fruit in the second. Annual shoots are thin, branched, covered with a bluish bloom, with tops hanging down. Biennials are woody, brownish, with an intense bluish or purple bloom, covered with small spines. Flower buds are formed on them, and then racemose inflorescences.

The root system is deep and highly developed. Unlike varieties with red berries, root growth does not produce, therefore it multiplies by layering and rooting of the tops. The bush is compact, the lashes are long (2-3 m), arched, require pruning.

The berries are complex drupes of medium size, round in shape, black in full ripeness, with a bluish bloom and light hairiness. They are easily separated from the receptacle, but they do not crumble and are stored for a long time without losing density. Sweet dessert taste (sweeter than red raspberries), without acid.

Most varieties have a high immunity to cold - they can withstand temperatures of -20-25 ° C, but it is better to cover for the winter. Plants are not demanding to care for, unlike varieties with red berries, they are not susceptible to diseases, and are practically not damaged by pests. The yield is high - 2-4 kg per bush, but depends on the variety. The fruits are dense, well transported, and amenable to any processing.

Video "All About Black Raspberries"

In this video, an experienced gardener will talk about raspberries.

Characteristics of blackberries

Garden blackberry, is a perennial shrub with a two-year growing cycle, or annual (remontant varieties). Depending on the length of the shoots, several forms of culture are distinguished: erect, creeping and semi-creeping. The shoots are flexible, long, depending on the variety, they can reach from 2.5-10 m in height, therefore, they require pruning and installation of supports (trellises). Most varieties have thorny whips, but there are hybrids without thorns (Lochness, Thornfrey).

Berries are multicomponent drupes of a round or oblong shape. The size and weight of berries depends on the variety (from 3 to 10 g), but there are garden hybrids weighing up to 20 g. The surface of the berries is often glossy or with a bluish bloom. The berry tastes more sour than raspberries, in addition, it has a slight astringency, but there are hybrids of a very sweet, dessert taste. Most varieties are distinguished by a very dense consistency, therefore they are perfectly transported and have a good presentation.

The winter hardiness of the crop is low - most varieties freeze out already at a temperature of -15 ° C. Productivity is high - some foreign hybrids are capable of producing up to 20 kg of berries from one bush. Among the advantages of the culture, one can note a high adaptation to diseases and pests, and resistance to drought. Plants are not very demanding to care, however, annual autumn pruning is a prerequisite for good fruiting and high yields.

Video "All About Blackberries"

In this video, you will see a complete overview of the culture, down to the smallest detail.

Differences

You can write a lot about the differences in agricultural technology and the commodity characteristics of both berries, but it is much more interesting for a common man to know and determine how blackberries differ from black raspberries in appearance, and what signs indicate this or that species.

If you look at the plants during the fruiting period, then the difference is almost not noticeable - a lush bush with bending lashes, all strewn with small white flowers and red, as well as black berries. Blackberries and raspberries at the beginning of ripening have a red color, and only in full ripeness do they turn black.

Therefore, how to distinguish raspberries from blackberries and where is which berry can be understood with a more detailed examination by the following signs:

• the shape of the berry - the raspberry is more rounded, hemispherical, and the garden blackberry has an oblong shape, like a red raspberry;
• separation of the receptacle - when removed from the bush from the raspberry, the receptacle remains (the inside of the berry is hollow), while the blackberry comes off along with the stalk;
• different ripening periods - raspberries ripen a couple of weeks earlier, since they are more cold-resistant and begin to bloom a little earlier, however, with some early varieties of blackberries, the fruiting time may coincide;
• the appearance of the stems - the shoots of the blackberry are green with strong, sometimes black thorns, and the spines of the raspberry are small and thin, and the shoots are lighter, with a bluish or bluish bloom;
• the shape of the bush - the blackberry bush is dense and more thickened, the raspberry grows more freely and its branches are shorter.

In comparison with red raspberries, black-fruited varieties are more productive, but if black raspberries are compared with blackberries, then the latter surpasses raspberries in yield. It can also be noted that blackberries tolerate drought better, and raspberries can wilt from lack of moisture. Blackberries are more thermophilic, need shelter for the winter, but they are less demanding on the composition of the soil. As you can see, crops can differ not only in appearance, but also in the requirements for care, but nevertheless, both black berries are very much in demand in gardening and are a valuable food product.