Blackberry variety Prime Arc Freedom: description and characteristics

In Western Europe and North America, blackberries have been grown commercially for many years. That is why breeders pay great attention to the issues of improving the qualities of this culture. One of the revolutionary achievements of Western selection was the appearance of the Prime Arc Freedom blackberry, patented in 2013. This variety combines two main advantages at once: it is capable of producing a crop twice a season, and it is absolutely devoid of thorns.

Description of the variety

According to those domestic gardeners who were lucky enough to get this variety in their collection, the berries have a pleasant and delicate taste and reach large sizes - up to 9 grams each. All remontant blackberries cannot boast of a variety with the best taste. Variety "Prime Arc Freedom" forms a medium-sized, self-pollinated bush that is capable of giving ovaries and bearing fruit even in dry, hot summers. The plant is completely devoid of thorns, unlike some of its predecessors (for example, the Prime Arc 45 variety).

Freedom erect bush of remontant blackberry

Characteristic

The main characteristics of the Prime Arc Freedom blackberry include the following:

  • remontant mid-season variety with high yield (up to 7 kg per square meter);
  • shoots are characterized by the absence of sharp thorns, which greatly facilitates the harvesting process;
  • blackberries are large, weighing 9 grams each, with excellent taste;
  • fruits are distinguished by good transport ability - berries retain their presentation for a long time;
  • a variety with average winter hardiness - it is able to withstand frosts down to -14 degrees.

Blackberry Measurement by Prime Arc Freedom

Growing features

The variety is great for those regions with a warm climate. In our latitudes, such blackberries are best suited for growing in protected greenhouses. The only exception can be “Prime Arc 45”, which needs shelter for the winter only for the root system - all the shoots of plants of this variety are cut off in the fall.

The gardener shows ripe blackberries

Such quality as remontability provides gardeners with a wide choice of methods for growing varieties of the Ark group. Of course, you will have to tinker with the shelter of the shoots (as already mentioned, with the exception of the 45th variety), but the first fruits on the bushes will appear by the beginning of summer, and by August the second wave of fruiting will arrive. But you can use another method of growing such blackberries: just prune all the shoots without exception. In this case, the bushes will delight you with a harvest once a season (this applies to all varieties of the Ark group, including 45), but much less labor will be needed.

Reproduction of culture occurs by root cuttings, therefore, if desired, you can form a whole plantation of picturesque shrubs in a relatively short time.

Care

The main condition for the normal development of culture is the obligatory shelter of plants for the winter - otherwise the overseas guest will not be able to survive the harsh Russian winter season. Otherwise, the blackberry bushes belonging to the Ark group (the 45th is no exception) need agrotechnical manipulations that are standard for all other varieties of culture: loosening the soil, regular watering as needed, feeding and, of course, resisting possible diseases and pests ...

Freedom erect bush of remontant blackberry

Diseases and pests

Blackberry bushes of this variety are highly resistant to diseases, and are almost never affected by pests - you do not need to inspect each lash 45 times a day. But nevertheless, it is better not to allow excessive waterlogging of the soil (in order to prevent decay of the root system), carefully cover the plants for the winter (harmful infectious microorganisms can develop on frozen shoots), regularly fight weeds (they are often the favorite habitat of harmful insects).

If it was not possible to prevent freezing, just get rid of the affected areas of the plant.

The culture of this variety appeared relatively recently on the domestic horizon, and, accordingly, has been little studied so far. But the results that have already been obtained eloquently indicate that such a berry is able to outshine any of those that have long been well known to us. As they say, foreign breeders do not eat their bread for nothing. We are sure that in a few years this tasty, aromatic black berry growing on smooth shoots will become a permanent inhabitant of every Russian garden.

Video "About Blackberry Prime Arc Freedom"

Check out a short review of Prime Arc Freedom Blackberries. From the video you will learn about the benefits of the variety.

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