Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) RELEVANT PBR

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) 'Relevant' PBR

A modern Moldovan variety featuring massive fruits, extreme frost resistance, and completely thornless canes.

The 'Relevant' variety is an exceptional blackberry that combines the most highly desired traits for modern cultivation. It will captivate you with its huge, extremely tasty fruits and hassle-free harvesting from smooth, thornless canes. Thanks to its extreme frost resistance and excellent post-harvest shelf life, it is an absolutely reliable choice not only for home gardens but also for commercial plantations in harsher climates.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extreme frost resistance: Withstands freezing temperatures down to -30 °C (-22 °F) without damage.
• Massive fruits: Average weight of up to 10 g, visually attractive with a full-bodied flavor.
• Excellent transportability: The berries stay fresh for a long time, resist rotting, and handle shipping perfectly.
• 100% thornless: Safe, fast, and painless harvesting.
• Self-fertile, highly disease-resistant, and eco-friendly (melliferous flowers).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Moldova.
• Registration: The variety has been submitted for Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) protection.

Variety Characteristics

Shrub

• Vigor and Habit: Strong and dynamic growth, reaching a height of 2 to 3 meters. The bush is upright but has a distinct tendency to branch out laterally, creating a full and rich volume.
• Canes: Strong, upright, and completely thornless.
• Pollination and Ecology: It is fully self-fertile. Furthermore, the flowers are melliferous, attracting bees to the garden and supporting the local ecosystem.

Fruit

• Size and Color: Very large, black fruits with an average weight of up to 10 g.
• Taste and Use: Excellent, full sweet-sour taste. The berries are highly versatile—great for fresh consumption, fruit bowls, or processing into jams, jellies, and juices.
• Shelf Life and Transport: The variety excels in storability. The fruits do not rot quickly, are firm enough, and handle transport exceptionally well.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost and Diseases: One of the hardiest varieties available—can handle frosts down to -30 °C (-22 °F). It also shows great resistance to fungal and other common blackberry diseases.
• Location and Soil: Loves full sun and areas protected from strong winds (tolerates light partial shade). Prefers fertile, slightly moist, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Cultivation and Pruning Recommendations

• Fruiting Type: A summer-fruiting (floricane) variety—it bears fruit on last year's canes. Proper pruning is required for an abundant harvest.
• Post-Harvest Pruning: All spent (two-year-old) canes must be cut completely to the ground. Leave only the 5 to 7 strongest new canes for the following year.
• Spring Pruning: In early spring, top the remaining main canes to a height of about 1.5 – 1.7 m, and shorten their lateral branches to 30 – 40 cm. Light summer tipping of unruly branches is also recommended.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Early variety. The harvest usually begins in July (depending on the location).
• Yield: Very abundant. The variety combines high yields with massive fruits and easy cultivation.