Mulberries seem like blackberries, but they grow on a tree, not a shrub. Therefore, growing mulberries once established is not difficult. The colour of mulberry fruit does not identify the species of mulberry. White mulberry trees can produce white, lavender or black fruit. Similarly, black mulberry trees give black fruits. Red mulberry trees produce dark red or almost black fruits. Mulberries Varieties major area is in the tropical zone covering Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states, with about 90 percent
Note – When you start farming, choose the equipment made according to the relevant agriculture, which is most important. Therefore, you should be aware and careful regarding every requirement in the business. However, farmers mostly use the Force tractor in every farming.
We can eat mulberry fresh out of hand, or you can use it like other berries to make tart, pie, sweet, pudding sauces. A few raw mulberry fruits are best for cooking in pies and tarts. Mulberries blend well with other fruits, especially apples and pears.
Mulberries Varieties
There are three types of mulberry trees: white, red and black:-
White mulberries are smaller than red or black mulberries. They are far sweeter than black or red mulberries, with almost no hint of honey flavour at all.
Red mulberry tastes almost as good as black mulberry; They are approximately the same size.
Black mulberry fruit is large, 1 to 2 inches long and juicy; They have an intense sweet-tart taste. The pungency of black mulberry is reminiscent of grapes. Black mulberry is considered to have the best taste.
Choosing a Mulberry Tree
Choose a mulberry flower that will grow in your area and fit your garden.
Black mulberry trees grow in USDA hardiness zone 6b and are warmer. However, they are the least cold tolerant. Black mulberry grows to 30 feet tall and about 35 feet wide; Some varieties become shorter; They are the smallest mulberries and can bear fruit for more than 100 years.
Red mulberry trees grow best in USDA zones 4 through 8. They are 35 to 50 feet long and wide. Red mulberry trees may live for about 75 years.
White mulberry trees are the coldest tolerant. Also, they grow in USDA zones 3b to 9. White mulberry trees grow 30 to 80 feet wide and tall. This mulberry can live for about 75 years. White mulberry is the fastest-growing mulberries. Mulberries are deciduous trees. They drop their leaves in autumn.
White mulberries emerge in early spring, about two months before black and red mulberries.
Best Site for Growing Mulberries
- Farmers grow mulberries in full sun. Mulberry trees will bear fruit in partial shade, but yield and flavour will not match those of plants grown in full sun.
- Plant the mulberry fruit in well-drained and compost-rich soil with a soil pH between 5.5 to 7.0. Mulberry fruit will grow in any soil, but they struggle in wet soil.
- They should avoid planting mulberry where falling fruit will hit patios or sideways. The fruit will stain, but fallen fruit is messy and will stick to shoes. Mulberries can tolerate wind, and some cultivars may be used as a windbreak.
Mulberry Pollination
- Mulberries are self-pollinating; they do not require cross-pollination.
- Most of the mulberries are wind-pollinated.
- Some mulberries set fruit without pollination.
Planting Mulberries
- Plant the mulberry bare-root trees in early spring as soon as you can use the soil while the trees are still dormant.
- Plant balled or container- grow Burlapped trees in spring or early summer before dry and hot weather. Then, farmers can plant the mulberry tree in the fall in mild-winter regions.
- Prepare a mulberry planting site in full sun sheltered from a prevailing breeze or wind or breeze.
- Work the best-suited manure or compost into the soil.
- Again dig a pit half as deep and twice as wide as the tree’s roots. Pour one cup of all-purpose fertilizer into the bottom of the hole.
- Stake a tree before planting. Drive the stake in the ground at least 2 feet deep to the edge of the hole.
- Fit the plant in the hole so that the soil mark on the stem from the nursery pot is at surface level or an inch or two deeper than the surrounding soil. Remove all twine and burlap from bolted and Burlapped trees. Spread the roots in all directions.
- Refill the hole with half native soil and half old compost or commercial organic planting mix; Be firm in the soil so that there are no air pockets between the roots. Build a slight clay basin around the trunk to keep the soil in the water and water at the watering time.
- Save the tree to the stake with tree ties.
- After planting, you should water each tree thoroughly and fertilize it with a high-phosphorus liquid starter fertilizer.
Container Growing Mulberries
- Almost all mulberry fruits grow large and are not well-suitable for container growing.
- For containing growth, choose a dwarf variety. There are dwarf black mulberry cultivars.
- Farmers plant the mulberry in a container 24 inches deep and wide. They should keep the plant every year or two as necessary to keep plants from becoming root-bound.
Mulberry Care, Water and Nutrients
- Use the soil evenly moist for growing the mulberry trees. Do not use the soil that is dried out.
- Mulberry is drought tolerant, but this soil becomes too many dry fruits drop before ripening.
- Fertilize established mulberries once a year from mid to late spring with a 10-10-10 organic fertilizer.
- Mulch with aged compost in autumn; Winter rains will carry nutrients into the soil.
Tractors and tools are the most prominent part of farming. Hence we suggest the Trakstar tractor because this tractor is superb for usability in mulberry farming.
For further knowledge about mulberry farming in India, stay tuned with us.