Mulberry (Morus) is often grown as a fruit tree in private gardens, and is also used for landscaping. The genus of the tuta has about 20 species, most of which grows in East and Southeast Asia, as well as in the south of the European continent. Even in Africa, some of the varieties of mulberry are found.
Mulberry - black mulberry
Trees of this kind are found in the wild only in Iran, Afghanistan and the Caucasus. They reach a height of 20 meters and have a wide spreading crown. Branches of an adult plant of brown-brown color, rather short. The sheet has its own distinctive feature - on top it is rough, and the lower part is soft and hairy.
How many trees should be in the garden?
Since the mulberry (mulberry) is a dioecious plant, when it is grown in the garden, trees with both male and female flowers are necessary. Pollination occurs with the help of wind, so it is advisable to plant them at a small distance from each other.
However, sometimes monoecious specimens can be found that are able to bear fruit without the presence of another tree. The fruits of the tuta can vary in color, there are both dark red and even black-purple, and white varieties. To taste they are sour-sweet, very juicy and unusually tasty. Mulberry - the berry is not only tasty, but also healthy.
The subtleties of growing
Since in the wild the plant is found mainly in the southern regions, it is quite drought tolerant and does not require constant watering. Mulberry (mulberry) is unpretentious to the composition of the soil and can grow on poor sandy soils without prejudice to fruiting. He is not afraid of spring frosts, because the plant wakes up late enough, in the spring, when warm weather is already set.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of mulberry is that the berries ripen gradually and immediately fall off. So, in order to harvest, it is necessary for this period to spread a film or other material under the tree and daily raise the fruit. From them you can cook delicious compotes, cook jam and eat raw. They are not only very tasty, but also healthy.
Breeding methodsMulberry (mulberry) can be propagated both vegetatively and by seeds. When choosing the latter, the seeds are sown immediately after isolation from ripe fruits. Young plants that have sprouted are planted in the ground and grown in specially equipped nurseries. Mulberry seedlings in the garden must be placed on the south side, in a place closed from the cold north winds. Cultivate cultivated varieties begin at 5-6 years of life.
When mulberry is propagated by root shoots, young plants are dug up from an adult in autumn or spring, being careful not to damage its roots, and immediately planted in a permanent place.
There are other ways to grow mulberries: lignified cuttings, grafting, green cuttings. Each gardener here has the right to choose the most suitable option for him. The main thing at the same time is to do everything correctly, and then the results of your work will not be long in coming.