The difference between black raspberries and blackberries

Because of the resemblance, people often confuse blackberries and black raspberries. These two cultures are not common everywhere, so there is not enough experience to recognize them.

But there are distinctive signs, having studied which, it becomes impossible to take one for another. Consider how blackberry differs from black raspberry.

External differences

It is a mistake to assume that black raspberry and blackberry have an important difference - the color of the berry. Both crops during ripening have red berries that turn black when ripe. Thus, color cannot be a distinctive criterion.

Different flowering period

Both cultures are protected from late frost late blooming, only black raspberries bloom earlier - by early June, while blackberry flowers appear closer to the second decade of June.

Different ripening period

Another difference is the ripening period of the fruit. So, raspberry berries reach maturity by early or mid-July, while blackberry fruits can be enjoyed in the midst of August.

Pay attention to the separation from the receptacle

Blackberries and raspberries have similar berries, consisting of single-seeded joints, connected with microscopic hairs, what is the difference between these fruits?

• Blackberries form their drupes around the core, it is not hollow, it has a white center inside. When harvesting the berry comes off in the place where it is attached to the stalk, along with the receptacle.

• Raspberries are easy to remove from the receptacle, which remains at the same time on the plant. The berry is hollow inside, its shape is more rounded.

Type of stalks (twigs)

Both plants are a shrub whose twigs grow from the ground, have thorns and similar leaves. At first glance, there are no differences.If you look more closely, you will notice that:

• Black raspberry stalks are shorter, pale in color with a bluish tinge, which is erased by rubbing the stem.
• Blackberry twigs are very long and strong, they grow up to 3 meters in size, the color is green.

Pay attention to the spikes

There is a difference between the prickles with which both plants are supplied.

• Blackberries are very large, resemble pink thorns.
• Black raspberry spines are something between spikes of a red relative and blackberry, they are much larger, at the same time they are not very dense and have a somewhat fuzzy appearance.

Berry shape

There is a difference in the form of berries:

• Blackberry is more reminiscent of the shape of the red raspberry berry than its black relative. It is oblong, its surface is glossy or has a gray patina, depending on the variety. It also has a dense texture, can be stored for a long time and is well transported.

• Black raspberry berries are round or hemispherical in shape, andalthough her receptacle is not large, it is still clear that this is a raspberry - the berry is empty inside. From above there is a bluish patina and light fleecy. For a long time does not lose density and does not crumble.

Bush shape

The bushes of both plants are somewhat different in shape:

• Blackberry denser and thickened.
• Raspberry growth is more free, and its branches are twice as short.

Differences in care

These plants, being relatives and having common diseases, cannot coexist and inherit the plot after each other. Also extremely undesirable neighborhood Solanova: eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and other raspberry varieties.

Drought tolerance

Both plants tolerate drought quite well, but during the fruiting period, it is desirable to additionally water them to improve the quality of the berries. Both do not like stagnant waters, but they treat the irrigation favorably. At the same time, the blackberry is more resistant to drought, as well as to pests and diseases, while raspberries with a lack of moisture will fade.

Heat requirements

Blackberry does not tolerate shading, extremely negative reaction to it. For this culture, the warmest and sunniest places are desirable, while raspberries calmly tolerate a light shadow.

Soil requirements

Both crops are not suitable stagnant water in the soil, like drained soil, retaining heat and supplied with minerals.

• The best blackberry yield is obtained when it grows on fertilized, well-drained loam, which has a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. It is not suitable limestone soil - a lack of iron and magnesium can affect the health of the plant, it can hit chlorosis.
• Black raspberry like loamy and sandy soil, preferably if it is well fertilized. The maximum yield is obtained if the shrub is planted in light loamy chernozem or gray forest soil.

Frost resistance

Blackberry bush needs more warmth than raspberry. So, it is recommended to cover it for the winter in order to protect the root system and the stems from freezing, especially if winter is snowless and freezing. Temperature -15 ° C is detrimental to the shrub.Raspberries are immune to cold, withstanding -20-25 ° C, but if the winters in the growing region are cold, it will be better to cover it to avoid freezing.

Yield

Compared crops are distinguished by high yields, but the blackberry is still much more prolific: it can bring, depending on the variety, up to 20 kilograms of berries per season, while a raspberry bush can produce up to 4 kilograms of berries.

Despite the fact that in both cultures the fruit is a black berry, similar to raspberries, they have not only external, and quite noticeable differences, their care requirements also differ. Both of them are quite in demand among gardeners, have many valuable beneficial properties and have excellent taste.