Mulberry (Morus nigra) PAKISTAN RED

Himalayan Mulberry (Morus macroura) 'Pakistan Red'

A rare exotic variety with stunning 8 cm long fruits, ideal for container growing on terraces and in winter gardens.

The 'Pakistan Red' variety brings a true touch of the tropics to European gardens. It immediately captivates with its unique, extremely long fruits that resemble dark red "cylinders." With its large, glossy heart-shaped leaves and slightly pendulous growth, it serves as a highly ornamental plant. As a tropical species from the Himalayas, it is the perfect choice for container growing in our climate, becoming both a source of delicious fruit and a dominant design element for your terrace.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Extremely long fruits: A stunning length of 7 to 8 cm, unmatched by any native mulberry.
• Parthenocarpy: Produces juicy, seedless fruits without the need for pollination.
• Excellent flavor: Distinctly sweet, aromatic, and original fruity taste.
• Early bearing: Often produces its first crop as early as the second year after planting.
• High resistance: Naturally resistant to pests and diseases, perfect for organic growing.
• Ripe fruits stay on the tree well and do not drop.

Origin and History

• Origin: Himalayan region (Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal). This specific selection was imported from Islamabad, Pakistan, in the mid-1980s.

Variety Characteristics

Tree and Habit

• Vigor: Medium. When grown in containers, it reaches a height of 2 to 3 meters. It forms a beautiful, spreading, slightly drooping crown.
• Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, and glossy, giving the tree a luxurious tropical appearance.
• Pollination: The variety is parthenocarpic—it yields juicy, seedless fruit without requiring another mulberry tree nearby.

Fruit

• Size and Shape: Elongated cylinders with a fascinating length of 7–8 cm and a weight of approx. 10 g.
• Color: Reaches an attractive and deep dark red color when fully ripe.
• Flesh and Taste: Very juicy, seedless, with a high natural sugar content and a captivating aroma.

Resistance and Requirements

• Hardiness: Limited (withstands frosts down to -15 °C / 5 °F). In temperate climates, it requires wintering in an unheated greenhouse, winter garden, or a cool room.
• Diseases and Pests: Features excellent natural immunity, allowing for cultivation entirely without chemical sprays.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Container Growing: An ideal "patio plant." Requires a large pot with nutrient-rich substrate and a sunny, warm location (ideally near a south-facing wall).
• Pruning: Pruning should be done in spring; the mulberry fruits on one-year-old wood.

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest Time: Very long season—fruits ripen gradually from late June to mid-August.
• Yield: Medium-high, consistent, and very early (bearing from the 2nd year).