Dwarf Mulberry Charlotte Russe

[Philthy]

I bought one of these trees end of last year from Suttons (don't know if it's an exclusive to them or available elsewhere), and it was shipped to me mid-April of this year. It arrived mail-order in a plant box, the actual plant about 5" high and bristling with new buds. I couldn't plant it up straight away, lets say early May it went into a 20L pot with compost and slow release fertiliser granules.
Being a dwarf I'm not sure whether to let it grow like a bush (as per the picture) or a small tree; in the event I've trained a central leader up a cane and allowed that to branch naturally in addition to a handful of thinner stems sprouting from compost level (bit of both I guess).
Why is this in Recommendations and not the fruit category?
Because.. the growth rate has been just fantastic; over 4 feet in barely 4 months, and the same in width! From a plant just a few inches high in May.
I don't grow soft fruit, and this is only my 3rd fruit tree (apple and a peach the other two), and it's dwarf at that, so maybe I'm getting ahead of myself(?) but it seemed like a lot of development for a few months from almost nothing. Had a first few berries too but not edible ones. From next year apparently I can expect it to be fruiting for 5 straight MONTHS Cannot wait

There was a mature black mulberry tree in the garden of a house I worked at years ago; that was my first taste of mulberries. Been looking for them ever since

[seasprout]

Have a little read of Sparrows100 blog on the plant.

https://mudandgluts.com/unusual-crop...usse-mulberry/

[Snadger]

Sounds good! I fancy a mulberry bush myself.

[Philthy]

Have a little read of Sparrows100 blog on the plant.

https://mudandgluts.com/unusual-crop...usse-mulberry/

Good link seasprout (and Sparrows100) way more info. than I could find .
Well that’s interesting, so not a true black mulberry afterall then..
Bit concerned by some of the comments on the blog about disappointing flavour. Certainly the attraction for me of authentic black mulberry fruit was/is the slight tartness that lingers in the fully ripe berries. That rounded tang from fruits so soft they almost melt in the mouth (probably why you don’t find mulberries in shops; they just wouldn’t travel).
Well, I guess it’s early days, still keen to try the crop I’ll get next year. It’ll be an interesting study to see if flavour improves as the plant ages and establishes. My plan is to transfer to another pot next year, but this’ll be an 80L job so a permanent home. That’ll live on my patio and be in full sun most of the day.

Thing I’m unsure about now is overwintering - seems to be conflicting reports on the hardiness. Should I move the 20L pot plant is currently in inside the unseated GH over the winter, or leave outside in the open? Any ideas

[Jay-ell]

Mine will be staying outside - but then again mines in the ground and I dont fancy moving the greenhouse.

[veggiechicken]

There's another thread at https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ase_92752.html

[Philthy]

Well, I have read through both threads and am certainly a lot more informed than I was a couple of days ago (and mildly deflated). Suppose when something sounds too good to be true... Well, lets wait and see. They mightn't be outstanding quality fruits but it was always a very high bar to reach. These'll have some merits I'm sure. The dwarf aspect still the biggest draw; even espaliered you still need 15' area for the standard black.

Jay-ell, on reflection I'm leaving my potted one in a sheltered spot out of the wind but outside; it'll be outdoors year round from next year anyway so no point coddling now.