Good to hear!
@Outsidetoday
There are two main events that led to the mislabeling of Morus cultivars as M. nigra.
- A couple decades ago, the USDA repository for Morus received specimens labeled M. nigra. These were distributed to several individuals and nurseries. Some of the receivers had doubts about the species. The USDA then checked the ploidy of their specimens and relabeled them. However, not all of the original receivers updated their labels.
- Around the same period, a few sellers of fruiting plants began promoting M. nigra. This developed into a fad and a number of unscrupulous sellers began labeling any black-fruited mulberry on hand as M. nigra. This trend continues today.
In my location, I prefer the fruit of M. macroura āPakistanā over those of true M. nigraās.
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I may prefer the Pakistan too, but probably only because it is more fruitful and easier to pick and eat and much larger and the tree is more vigorous. The flavor of nigra is stronger and more striking.
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Thatās an interesting but frustrating history. I did get one of those falsely labeled ones a few years ago:(
Iād like a M. macroura as well, among other things, but my grow area is getting tight. I have only had some red mulberry to eat myself. I have ordered a variety of cuttings and also got a starter plant of local red that does well here. Iām looking to graft.
Here in Vista CA, M. nigra on M. alba rootstock rapidly becomes a large tree.
True. I like it also, in fact better than some blackberries.
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That would be ātridecaploidā.
And that would be ādocosaploidā.
I looked them up cause I had to know! haha
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Nice!
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Thank you! I havenāt seen evidence where I am yet, but I know root knot nematode is a big concern with figs here in FL and there are some local red mulberry finds that seem to have resistance. Iām trying to read through the forms on what would suit my area best and appreciate any advice.
Pakistan mulberry has one big advantage over Morus Nigra ā shippability. It is a somewhat dry variety that wont crush and bleed everywhere when picked or when packaged for shipping.
For pure flavor I prefer Nigra but it is far more messy.
Burntridge Nursery will be offering Pakistan Mulberry at the Olympia farmerās market when they are ripe.
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comparing Noir of Spain and Kaester, there are big differences in growth and rooting ability. Kaester is vigorous and grows into a large tree while Noir of Spain remains a small specimen. I havenāt seen NdS grown for more years to confirm. Also, Kaester is probably the only M. Nigra that I know of that can be rooted. I havenāt done that myself but @Marta has a nice comparison on her blog
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Given the M. nigra capacity for meiosis, Iām interested in the karyotype (ploidy) signatures of each.
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Thanks for your response! I did see Martaās blog and I have visited the Prusch tree numerous times.
So far this year all the grafts are looking similar in vigor. It may change in coming years.
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I remember Harvey (of figaholics) talking about Kaester graft in one of his YouTube videos and that was super vigorous as well. Iām assuming yours will take off soon (compared to others)
If Marta hasnāt determined the karyotype equations of her specimens, Iād like to obtain leaf samples in the coming weeks to include in shipment Iāll be sending to a Cytology lab.
I do have NdS (obtained from Whitman farms and have fruited it to confirm) and live near Emma Prusch, so I can get leaf samples for both varieties. However, Iām out of town until late June. If thatās too late, may be @Marta can help?
Thatās about the right time ā no firm date yet. I could drive up to get them.
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Both Pakistan and M. nigra Persian are excellent. Pak is very sweet and large with no tartness, Persian is more complex and intense, to me the best fruit one can eat
I donāt have NdS anymore. That was at the previous location of my farming activities. That tree was removed by the owners of the place.
