Pruning and Training Mulberries and Hybrid Berries: A Complete Guide

par

Mulberries and hybrid berries (such as loganberries, tayberries, and boysenberries) are a fantastic addition to any garden. With proper pruning and training, these plants can yield abundant harvests and maintain their health and vigor for years. This guide will walk you through the best practices for pruning and training these delicious berry producers.

Why Prune and Train Mulberries and Hybrid Berries?

  1. Increase Yield:
    • Regular pruning encourages more fruiting wood and higher-quality berries.
  2. Improve Airflow:
    • Proper training reduces disease risk by allowing better air circulation.
  3. Simplify Harvesting:
    • Trained plants are easier to manage, making it simple to pick ripe fruit.
  4. Promote Longevity:
    • Regular maintenance keeps plants healthy and productive over time.

Understanding the Growth Habits

  1. Mulberries:
    • Mulberries grow as trees or bushes, depending on the variety.
    • They produce fruit on both new and old wood, making selective pruning essential.
  2. Hybrid Berries:
    • These plants grow on long, trailing canes.
    • They are biennial, meaning canes grow in the first year (primocanes) and bear fruit in the second year (floricanes).

Pruning Mulberries

  1. When to Prune:
    • Prune in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
    • Light summer pruning can also be done to remove wayward or damaged branches.
  2. Steps for Pruning:
    • Shape the Tree: Remove any crossing, dead, or diseased branches to maintain an open structure.
    • Encourage Fruiting: Shorten lateral branches to promote more fruit buds.
    • Control Height: Mulberries can grow tall, so reduce the height to keep the tree manageable.
  3. Tips:
    • Avoid heavy pruning, as mulberries can respond with excessive vegetative growth, reducing fruit production.
    • For bush varieties, maintain a rounded shape by regularly removing old wood.

Pruning Hybrid Berries

  1. When to Prune:
    • Prune immediately after fruiting in late summer or early autumn.
  2. Steps for Pruning:
    • Remove Old Canes: Cut spent floricanes (second-year canes that have fruited) back to the base.
    • Select New Canes: Choose 6-8 of the healthiest primocanes (first-year canes) to retain.
    • Thin Excess Canes: Remove any weak or overcrowded primocanes to focus energy on the strongest ones.
  3. Tips:
    • Use clean, sharp pruning tools to prevent disease spread.
    • Mulch around the base of plants after pruning to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Training Mulberries

  1. Tree Varieties:
    • Train to a central leader system, with one main trunk and evenly spaced lateral branches.
    • Regularly remove suckers growing from the base of the tree.
  2. Bush Varieties:
    • Train into a goblet shape to keep the center open for better light penetration and airflow.

Training Hybrid Berries

  1. Using a Trellis:
    • Install a sturdy trellis or wire system for support.
    • Tie canes to horizontal wires using soft ties or garden twine.
  2. Fan Training:
    • Spread canes out in a fan shape along the trellis for even light exposure.
  3. Replacement System:
    • Train primocanes on one side of the trellis while keeping floricanes on the other side.
    • After fruiting, remove floricanes and shift primocanes into their place.

Common Problems and Solutions

  1. Overgrowth:
    • Issue: Plants become tangled and unmanageable.
    • Solution: Stick to a regular pruning schedule and thin canes annually.
  2. Poor Airflow:
    • Issue: Dense growth leads to fungal diseases.
    • Solution: Open up the plant by removing overcrowded canes and branches.
  3. Weak Canes:
    • Issue: Thin, weak canes fail to produce well.
    • Solution: Focus on training strong, healthy canes.

Maximizing Your Harvest

  1. Feed Your Plants:
    • Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.
    • Mulberries benefit from an additional feed in mid-summer.
  2. Water Regularly:
    • Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during fruiting periods.
    • Mulch can help retain soil moisture and reduce watering frequency.
  3. Monitor for Pests and Diseases:
    • Watch for aphids, spider mites, and fungal infections like powdery mildew.
    • Use organic or chemical treatments as needed to keep plants healthy.

Final Thoughts

Pruning and training mulberries and hybrid berries may seem daunting, but with the right techniques, you can enjoy healthy plants and bountiful harvests. Regular maintenance not only improves plant health but also makes managing these vigorous growers much easier. So grab your tools, get to work, and look forward to a delicious season of homegrown berries!

Laisser un commentaire