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MORUS SPP. - Mulberry |
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CULTURE |
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Location: Mulberries need full sun
and also adequate space. The distance between trees should be
at least 15 ft. The trees should not be planted near a sidewalk.
The fallen fruit will not only stain the walkway, but are likely
to be tracked indoors. The trees are quite wind-resistant with
some cultivars used as windbreaks in the Great Plains region.
Soil: Mulberries like a warm, well-drained soil, preferably a
deep loam. Shallow soils such as those frequently found on chalk
or gravel are not recommended.
Irrigation: Although somewhat drought-resistant,
mulberries need to be watered in dry seasons. If the roots become
too dry during drought, the fruit is likely to drop before it
has fully ripened.
Fertilization: Mulberries generally
thrive with minimal fertilization. An annual application of a
balanced fertilizer such as 10:10:10 NPK will maintain satisfactory
growth. In California mulberries usually need only nitrogen.
Pruning: No special pruning techniques
are needed after the branches have been trained to a sturdy framework,
except to remove dead or overcrowded wood. A mulberry tree can
be kept to a tidy form by developing a set of main branches, and
then pruning laterals to 6 leaves in July in order to develop
spurs near the main branches. It is not advisable to prune the
trees heavily since the plant is inclined to bleed at the cuts.
Cuts of more than two inches in diameter generally do not heal
and should be avoided at all cost. The bleeding will be less severe
if the tree is pruned while it is dormant.
Propagation: Mulberries can be grown
from seed, although the plants can take 10 years or more to bear.
Seed should be sown as soon as extracted from the fruit, although
white mulberry seeds germinate better after stratifying one to
three months before planting.
Sprig budding is the most common method for grafting mulberries.
A T-cut is made in the rootstock and a smooth, sloping cut is
made on the lower end of the scion. The scion is then inserted
into the T and wrapped and sealed. Other types of grafts are also
usually successful, although there may be incompatibility between
white and black mulberries. Hardwood, softwood and root cuttings
also are suitable methods for propagating mulberries. Softwood
cuttings of white mulberries root easily when taken in midsummer
and treated with rooting hormone. Red mulberries are less easily
rooted. Black mulberries are also somewhat difficult to propagate
since they tend to bleed a lot.
Pests and diseases: Mulberries
are generally free of pests and diseases, although cankers and
dieback can occur. In some areas "popcorn disease" is
an occasional problem, in which fruits swell to resemble popped
corn. M. alba/M. rubra hybrids are particularly prone to this
condition. The disease carries on from one season to the next,
so collecting and burning infected fruits help control it. The
ripe fruit is very attractive to birds, but there is usually enough
fruit left over for harvesting.
Harvest: White and red mulberry fruits
(and hybrid fruits) are ready for harvest in late spring. The
fruit of black mulberries ripen in summer to late summer. The
fruits of white mulberries are often harvested by spreading a
sheet on the ground and shaking the limbs. A surprising quantity
can be gathered from a comparatively small and young tree. Black
mulberry fruits are more difficult to pick. As the berries are
squeezed to pull them loose, they tend to collapse, staining the
hands (and clothing) with blood red juice. Unwashed the berries
will keep several days in a refrigerator in a covered container.
The ripe fruits of the black mulberry contain about 9% sugar with
malic and citric acid. The berries can be eaten out of hand or
used in any way that other berries are used, such as in pies,
tarts, puddings or sweetened and pureed as a sauce. Slightly unripe
fruits are best for making pies and tarts. Mulberries blend well
with other fruits, especially pears and apples. They can also
be made into wine and make an excellent dried fruit, especially
the black varieties.
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CULTIVARS |
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Black Persian
M. nigra. Large black fruit, over an inch long and almost as wide.
Juicy with a rich, subacid flavor. The tree is fairly drought-resistant
once established.
Collier
M. alba X M. rubra. Medium-sized, purplish-black fruit, 1-1/8
inches long and 3/8 inch in diameter. Flavor sweet, with just
a trace of tartness. Quality very good, on par with Illinois Everbearing.
Ripens over a long period. Tree of medium size, spreading , relatively
hardy, very productive.
Downing
The original Downing was a M. alba var. multicaulis plant grown
fromseed sown about 1846. The fruit was black with excellent flavor
and ripened from June to September. Other varieties have subsequently
been sold under the same name.
Illinois Everbearing
M. alba X M. rubra. Originated in White County, Illinois. Introduced
in 1958. Black, nearly seedless fruit large and very long, averaging
12 per ounce. Flavor good to very good, very sweet, considered
best by by many. Matures over along season. Tree vigorous and
somewhat dwarfed, extremely hardy and productive.
Kaester
M. nigra. Originated in Los Angeles. Introduced in 1971 by Nelson
Westree. Large black or deep purple, elongated fruit, 1-1/2 inches
long and 1/2 inch in diameter. Flavor very sweet, with good sweet/tart
balance. Tree bears heavily.
Pakistan
Originated in Islamabad, Pakistan. Extremely large ruby-red fruit
2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches long and 3/8 inch in diameter. Flesh firmer
than most other named cultivars. Sweet with a fine balance of
flavors. Quality excellent. Tree spreading with large heart-shaped
leaves. Recommended for the deep South and mild winter areas such
as southern California, but usually performs satisfactorily in
cooler areas.
Riviera
Originated in Vista, Calif. Elongated, deep purple-black fruits,
1 to 1-1/2 inches in length, 1/2 inch in diameter. Flesh slightly
juicy and very sweet. Very good dessert quality. Ripens over a
long period, from April to June.
Russian (Tatarica)
Introduced into Europe from China about 1,500 years ago. Fruit
reddish-black, of good quality when completely ripe. Tree bushy,
to 35 ft. tall, very hardy and drought resistant. Planted widely
for windbreaks and wildlife food.
Shangri-La
Originated in Naples, Fla. Large, black fruit. Good mulberry for
the Deep South and other areas. Hardy in U.S.D.A. Zones 7-9. Tree
has very large, heart-shaped leaves.
Tehama (Giant White)
Originated in Tehama County, Calif. Very large, white-colored,
plump fruit, 2-3/4 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide. Very sweet,
succulent, melting flesh. Attractive, large-leaved tree. Probably
best adapted to mild winter areas.
Wellington
Originated in Geneva, N.Y. Reddish-black medium-sized fruit, 1-1/4
inches long, 3/8 inch in diameter. Form long, slender and cylindrical.
Flesh soft, of good flavor. Ripens over a period of several weeks.
Tree is heavy producer. May be the old cultivar New American,
which was also sold many years ago as Downing.
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