Smoothstem Mulberry Variety Fact Sheet
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Fruit flesh color: Probably black to blue-black, consistent with the skin color
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Skin color: Shiny black to blue-black
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Size and shape: Very large, elongated (usually 3 to 4 cm long)
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Tree size: Reaching 2 to 5 meters in height and 0.5 to 2.5 meters in width, climbing habit
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Fruit maturity: Late, from July to October, with main production in September
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Fruit Taste: Sweet and tangy flavor, with a fragrant note but considered moderately fruity, less aromatic than wild blackberry
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Earliness of the variety: Late
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Fruiting period From July to October
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Disease resistance and storage: Good disease resistance. Moderate to good hardiness, tolerating down to about -15°C, but less hardy than European varieties. The firm consistency of the fruits facilitates good storage after harvest.
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Variety yield: Very productive, high productivity
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes
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Commercial use: Fresh consumption, processing into jams, jellies, coulis, pies. Suitable for direct sales and potentially for the food industry.
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Comments: Thornless variety, which makes harvesting much easier. Its flowering in May-June is melliferous, attracting bees. Requires annual pruning.
Speed Reading / Smoothstem Mulberry Essentials
The 'Smoothstem' mulberry tree perfectly embodies the new generation of mulberry trees intended for professional cultivation. Originally from the United States, this variety has been specifically selected to meet the modern requirements of producers: absence of thorns , large fruits , excellent productivity , and natural resistance to diseases . Thanks to its technical performance and ease of cultivation, Bairiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of mulberry plants , offers you an ideal solution to combine yield and simplicity.
Smoothstem mulberry fruits are particularly attractive: generous size (6 to 10 g), sweet and tangy flavor, high juice content (up to 85%) and excellent shelf life. These advantages make it a popular variety for both the fresh market and processing (juice, jam, frozen foods). Flowering occurs in spring, for a late harvest in September-October, guaranteeing a differentiated offer on the market.
Thanks to its climbing habit, vigorous root system, and ability to produce between 3 and 20 kg/plant/year, Smoothstem is particularly well-suited to trellised growing systems. It is also self-fertile, limiting pollination constraints. For all these reasons, purchasing Smoothstem mulberry plants from a reliable partner is essential for the success of your orchard.
As a specialist wholesale supplier of mulberry plants , Bairiverse supports demanding producers with a rigorously selected offer, personalized technical monitoring and certified plants. Whether you are in conversion or in the development phase, it is strategic to buy Smoothstem mulberry plants from a recognized professional. You thus benefit from a high-performance plant, a stable yield, and expert support.
Trusting Bairiverse means choosing a specialist wholesale supplier of mulberry plants , committed to the success of your project, with solutions adapted to the small fruit sector.
Origin of the variety
The 'Smoothstem' mulberry tree is a variety of American origin , selected in the United States with the aim of offering professional growers a thornless, large-fruited, vigorous and productive variety. It meets the needs of modern professional cultivation focused on fruit quality, ease of harvesting and disease resistance.
Fruit characteristics
Smoothstem mulberry fruits are distinguished by their large size and excellent shelf life . They measure 3 to 4 cm in length and reach 6 to 10 grams per fruit , a size greater than or equal to the Loch Ness or Triple Crown references. Their shape is elongated , with a shiny black to blue-black skin when ripe. Before maturity, the fruits are red.
The flavor is sweet and tangy , with a moderate fragrant note. It is sweeter than wild blackberries, while retaining a hint of acidity. The sugar level (Brix) generally ranges between 10 and 12% , with a pH between 3.1 and 3.5 .
The high juice content (78 to 85%) makes this variety very suitable for processing. The fruit has excellent shelf life , making it a highly valued variety for both the fresh market and the food industry.
Phenology and production
Smoothstem mulberry flowers in May-June , with a late harvest , mainly between September and October depending on weather conditions. The variety is non-remontant , with only one wave of fruiting per year.
The first fruiting generally occurs 2 years after planting , and full production between the 3rd and 4th year . The yield varies according to cultivation practices: 3 to 5 kg/plant/year at cruising speed, but can reach 10 to 20 kg/plant/year in optimal conditions.
Plant characteristics
The Smoothstem mulberry is a very vigorous and productive variety, with a climbing to semi-evergreen habit. The stems are long, flexible and robust, requiring staking on trellises or wires at 2 or 3 levels between posts spaced 4 to 5 meters apart. The mature height is between 2 and 5 meters , for a width of 0.5 to 2.5 meters .
The root system is deep and well anchored , with a vertical development of 30 to 100 cm depending on the soil , and a lateral extension of one meter or more around the base . A well-loosened and drained soil is therefore essential for good establishment.
Growing conditions
Smoothstem prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0 to 7.0) , well-drained and rich in organic matter . It is moderately tolerant of limestone up to a pH of 7.5 to 8, but above this, there is a risk of iron chlorosis . Root asphyxiation should be avoided; an infiltration rate of 15 to 20 mm/h is recommended.
The variety requires full sun or partial shade , and protection from cold winds is recommended. It tolerates temperatures down to -15°C , but remains less hardy than some European varieties.
Pruning is essential every year after harvest or at the end of winter. It is advisable to remove the stems that have produced fruit and to keep only 5 to 7 young, vigorous stems per plant .
Planting and irrigation
In professional cultivation, the recommended planting density varies from 1,600 to 2,700 plants/ha , with a spacing of 1.5 to 2 m in the row and 2 to 3 m between rows . A distance of 4 m between plants can be considered depending on practices.
Annual watering of 700 to 800 mm is recommended to optimize production, with drip irrigation preferred. Regular watering is crucial in the first year to ensure good rooting.
Fertilization
A professional manuring plan includes:
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30 to 40 t/ha of organic matter before planting ;
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60 to 80 kg/ha of nitrogen , to be applied at the end of winter and after flowering;
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30 to 50 kg/ha of phosphorus ;
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80 to 100 kg/ha of potash .
A prior soil analysis is essential to adjust these contributions.
Fertility and pollination
The Smoothstem mulberry tree is self-fertile : no pollinator is required. A single clone is sufficient to ensure abundant fruiting.
Resistance and maintenance
The variety has very good resistance to foliar diseases , especially powdery mildew and rust, with low treatment requirements . It also shows low susceptibility to pests , higher than that of older varieties.
Mild susceptibility to botrytis is reported in some humid settings.
Uses and commercial development
Smoothstem blackberry is ideal for fresh consumption , thanks to its balanced taste and the absence of thorns , making it easier to pick. It is also suitable for processing : jams, jellies, pies, frozen foods, purees, etc.
Its high juice content and good shelf life make it a sought-after variety for both short supply chains and industrialists.
Honey character
The spring flowering attracts bees and pollinators , with an estimated production of 5 to 10 kg of honey/ha in good conditions. The variety is therefore also interesting in an agroecological framework or in the polyvalorization of crops.
To summarize: Smoothstem mulberry
The Smoothstem mulberry is a thornless American variety that has established itself as a benchmark for professional production. Ideal for fresh picking and processing, it stands out for its impressive fruit size, excellent shelf life, and high yield. Thanks to its vigor, floridity, and ease of maintenance, it adapts equally well to conventional farms and agroecological models.
Bairiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of mulberry plants , recommends this variety to arborists looking for a cultivar with strong technical and commercial potential. Whether for the niche market or industrial outlets, Smoothstem ticks all the boxes: self-fertile, low-susceptibility to disease, productive and easily mechanized. A complete solution, optimized for modern orchards.
To ensure successful establishment, the variety requires well-drained soil, good sunlight, and controlled irrigation. Its hardiness (-15°C) allows it to thrive in most French regions, with a powerful root system and an easily trained aerial structure. It is therefore wise to purchase Smoothstem mulberry plants from a trusted source capable of supplying compliant and well-prepared plant material.
Choosing Bairiverse means choosing a specialist wholesale supplier of mulberry plants recognized for its rigor, the quality of its plants and its technical support. We advise you on managing your orchard and promoting your production. To guarantee the performance and profitability of your operation, do not hesitate to buy Smoothstem mulberry plants by benefiting from our expertise and our advantageous conditions.
In short, buying Smoothstem mulberry plants from Bairiverse means choosing a high-performance, sustainable orchard that is adapted to market requirements.
