Blackberry plant named ‘FNZ-6VB’

Abstract

A new cultivar of Blackberry named FNZ-6VB that is characterized by its early flowering and fruit production, its medium firm berries that are medium large in size, its 3 leaflets per leaf, its berries with flavor and quality suitable for the fresh fruit market, and its spreading growth habit.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Blackberry plant named FNZ-6VB as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new Rubus. The photographs were taken of a plant 2 years in age as grown in a poly tunnel in a 22-cm square container in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom.

(2) The photograph in FIG. 1 provides a view of a section of young canes with spines of FNZ-6VB.

(3) The photograph in FIG. 2 provides a close-up view of flowers of FNZ-6VB in various stages of development.

(4) The photograph in FIG. 3 provides a view of berries of FNZ-6VB in various stages of development.

(5) The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The colors in the photograph may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Rubus.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(6) The following is a detailed description of plants 2 years in age as grown in a poly tunnel in 22-cm square containers in Faversham, Kent, United Kingdom. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with The 2015 Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. General description: Plant type.Fruit producing perennial. Plant habit.Spreading. Height and spread.1.5 to 2.5 m in length and in spread (if not tied up) as a 2 year-old plant as grown in a 10-L container. Hardiness.This trait has not been fully characterized in a range of cold weather climates but the plants have been successfully grown in central Europe (U. K. Hardiness Zone 9). Diseases and pests.No resistance or susceptibility to pests or diseases has been observed. Environmental stresses.No resistance or susceptibility to drought, high temperatures, or water logging has been observed. Root description.Fibrous and, vigorous. Propagation.Bud cuttings, cane cuttings or tissue culture. Root development.An average of 3 weeks to root from a cutting, an average of 3 months to fully develop as a young plant with a cane of 2 m reached in about 10 months. Growth rate.High vigor. Cane description: Fruit presence.On floricanes only. Fruiting lateral canes.23.33 cm in length, medium in strength (observed on full-grown shoot after picking), slightly glaucous on full grown shoots after picking. Cane internode length.6.1 cm. Young shoots.1 or less, emerge in early June, 143A in color with weak anthocyanin 183A, very few glandular hairs. Dormant cane.1.5 to 2.5 m in length, an average of 5.6 mm in width in mid-section, 59A in color (strong anthocyanin), rounded to angular in cross section, fine in texture, surface matte with thorns; 600 per cane 1 m in length, small-medium in size, 183C in color, attitude to came downward, 1.7 thorns per square cm. Foliage description: Time of vegetative bud burst.February in The United Kingdom. Leaf arrangement.Alternate. Leaf division.Compound; 3 leaflets. Leaf attachment.Petiolate. Leaf orientation.Strongly concave (margins rolled upwards). Leaflet shape.Round to ovate with elongated point. Leaflet base.Truncate. Leaflet apex.Acute. Leaflet margins.Bi-serrate, lobing absent. Leaflet arrangement.One terminal and 1 lateral pair. Leaflet attachment.Primarily sessile. Leaflet surface.Matt on both surfaces, medium undulation of margin, weak blistering between veins, moderately glossy on upper surface, matt on lower surface. Leaflet color.137A on upper surface and 138A on lower surface. Leaflet size.Lateral leaflets; an average of 8.45 cm in length and 5.94 cm in width, length/width ratio 1.4, terminal leaflet; an average of 9.57 cm in length and 7.34 mm in width, length/width ratio 1.3. Petioles.Round in shape, an average of 4.4 cm in length and 1.9 mm in width, upper surface pigmented with 178B, moderately strong. Rachis.Round in shape, an average of 1.95 cm between terminal leaflet and lateral leaflets. Stipules.1 to 2 per petiole, elongated in shape, an average of 1.3 cm in length and 2.5 mm in width, upwards orientation, color 146B on upper surface and 137A on lower surface. Inflorescence description: Blooming period.As a floricane; very early season in the United Kingdom. Inflorescence.Panicle. Peduncle.Round in shape, color 143C, an average of 3 cm in length and 1.5 mm in width, moderate in strength, spiny surface. Pedicels.Round in shape, color 143C, an average of 3.8 cm in length and 1.5 mm in width, moderate in strength, spiny surface. Flower type.Rotate, single. Flower number.An average of 5.2 (measured at 3.sup.rd node from tip of lateral). Flower diameter.4.18 cm. Petals.Average of 5, an average of 1.86 cm in length and 1 cm in width, base attenuate, apex acute, entire margin with slightly undulation, glabrous and matte on upper and lower surfaces, NN155C in color on both surfaces. Fruit description: Productivity.When grown in substrate; fruiting in second year an average of 450 g/cane with 5 canes per pot. Self-fruitfulness.Self fruitful. Fruit number.An average of 6 per lateral cane. Fruit size.Medium-large, an average of 3.48 cm in length and 2.08 cm in diameter, length/width ratio 1.7. Fruit color.144B when immature, N34A when maturing, and 203B when mature. Fruit shape.Oblong. Number of duplets/fruit.An average of 102.5. Fruit surface.Medium glossiness. Fruit maturity date.Very early season on floricanes. Seed weight.0.008 g/seed. Cropping frequency.Annually, every 3 weeks during the fruiting season. Harvest dates.First date approximately June 25th and last harvest date approximately August 2nd as grown in pots in The United Kingdom. Flavor.Pleasant and sweet when ripe. Fruit weight.7.4 g/fruit. Brix.14. Titratable acid.1.09 (% as citric acid). Fruit firmness.Medium firm. Shelf life.An average of 7 days after picking. Market use.Fresh fruit.