Sweety Black Mulberry Seeds

"Sweety" -Hardy in Michigan and Vigorous Selection-Small Fruited-Complex Flavor-Not Insipid

This is one of the fastest growing mulberries at my farm growing more that 3-5 ft. per year. The high quality sweet fruit is not as insipid as other mulberries and like many black mulberries of the 'nigra' species you have a more complex and dense flavor. It also happens to be one of a very few selections hardy to at least minus 20F or into zone 5 in southwestern Michigan. All the black mulberries I tested as grafted trees failed here. "Sweety" comes through in flying colors on hardiness and fruit production.

The  large lustrous green leaves are very clean and free of disease throughout the summer. The trees are resistant to witches broom which is common throughout the Midwest and deforms trees. This is the species most often cultivated for its fruit and has been widely distributed throughout the world as a fruit plant. It took several attempts at different seed sources produce the seedling trees needed for fruit evaluation. This is one of them.  This particular seed source is ideal for also creating your own population to draw from in terms of creating your own varieties from a premier fruiting cultigen well known throughout the world. 

'Sweety' provides both a varietal level selection as well as a seed source that can be grown in more northern locations.  

Black mulberries contain 8 percent sugar and are high in potassium and vitamin C. This fruit is best enjoyed fresh. Trees are self fertile usually but two plants are always better than one with mulberries as trees produce male, female and perfect flowers with both parts. This cross pollination will aid in fruit set although lone trees from my farm planted elsewhere did not require it.  

Black mulberry has a huge range in its native habitats, however most of the selection process was done in warmer climates where it rarely dips below freezing.  My focus is on large leaves, tall broad habit of growth, open tree structure and resistance to the myriad of existing mulberry diseases. Size of fruit is not a priority but hardiness is critical in zone 5. 

"Sweety"   Vigorous tree with large leaves and strong growth habit. One inch fruit is produced all along the limbs in heavy clusters ripening over a three week. Flavor is rich with a strong mulberry and grape essence.  Not insipid or overly sweet making it ideal for drying or cooking into syrup or jelly. The sweet tart balance is perfect for a mulberry. The berries are incredibly juicy with little fiber or excessive seed production. In fact, it is kind of seedless with only small amounts of solid seeds are produced. The parent tree was hit with minus 25F once and no damage was done. The large leaves and upright rounded crown growth habit make it a nice shade tree as well. Trees can be grafted onto seedling rootstocks. The seeds from this variety also produce a zone 5 seed strain for the development of further varieties as well.  

To germinate the seed: Mulberry seed has only small dormancy or none at all. If planted on the surface of the soil the seeds will sprout quickly. They do damp off easy and are loved by slugs. Provide good soil aeration for this seed. Dormancy hastens germination with this species and can be done in the refrigerator prior to sowing for 60 days at 34-38F. This will hasten and unify germination. Add a little lightly moist sand in a zip lock bag for the seeds and refrigerate for 60 days then lightly seed on top of a flat. Seeds will sprout in a few days. 

Seeds are available here. Scionwood is availble separately under "Scionwood and Cuttings" .