Mulberry – a huge and beautiful tree with healthy fruits

Mulberries are almost forgotten fruit, despite the fact that mulberries are very healthy and tasty. Mulberries are sweet and sour and very juicy and they kind of resemble raspberries. The fruit is loaded with vitamins, especially with vitamin C. Regular consumption helps regulate blood sugar levels. Mulberries are usually eaten raw but many people make jams, marmalades, syrups or even fruit wines or brandies out of them.

Different species of mulberries

The tree is called a mulberry tree and there are two main types: the white mulberry (Morus alba) and the black mulberry (Morus nigra). They differ mainly in the colour of their fruits – as the name suggests. White mulberries are white even when fully ripe (sometimes with a hint of red), while fully ripe black mulberry are dark black. White mulberry tree can be slightly taller and it can reach a height from 10 to 15 meters, while black mulberry usually grows to a height of “only” 10 meters. White mulberries are slightly sweeter than the black ones. Both species are frost-resistant and like sunny locations.

Photo: Pixabay

Growing from seeds?

Few gardeners grow trees from seeds these days, but it is possible of course, but you need to be patient, as it will take a long time before you get your first harvest. First, you need to stratify seeds in a refrigerator for 2 months. Put seeds in the refrigerator at the beginning of February and sow at the beginning of April. They should germinate in four to six weeks. A warm (average annual temperature around 9 °C) and sunny location is ideal. Seedlings should be protected from wind and you should tide young trees to a support.

Growing conditions

Well-drained loamy sandy soil is ideal. Mulberry tree has an extensive and branched root system. Plant trees at least 5 meters from other trees. It is very important to water, fertilize and loosen soil around young trees for the first three years. After that, the tree should be strong enough to cope with harsher conditions. You only need to provide basic care, just like you would for other fruit trees.

First fruit

If you sowed seeds, you will see the first fruits from three to four years after sowing. The older the tree, the bigger it gets and the more fruits it will produce. Fruit usually falls off so, you should plant trees where you do not mind falling fruit as it will stain the area underneath.

Source: https://www.semena.cz/45-morusovnik

Preview photo: Pixabay