blackberry Variety
Ouachita
Overview
Mid-season floricane-fruiting blackberry
Breeder: University of Arkansas, USA
Ouachita is a widely adapted, thornless, erect floricane blackberry delivering consistent yields and firm, glossy fruit with very sweet, low-acid flavour, making it a strong option for premium fresh shipping and processing.
Ouachita Key Features
Size
Large berries 9.1g average
Colour
Excellent deep black colour with shine at the point of harvest / sale
Flavour
Sweet (9.4% soluble solids), low acid (pH 3.57)
Comparative results
Compare key commercial characteristics across our blackberry genetics, including chill type, yield performance, fruit firmness, flavour profile, and market suitability. Use the dropdown below to select a trait and compare performance across our blackberry varieties.
Chill Requirement
Ouachita
400–500 hours
Von
400-800 hours
Natchez
300 hours
Columbia Star
600+ hours
Growth Habit
Ouachita
Thornless; erect to semi-erect (semi-erect growing habit)
Von
Thornless, upright
Natchez
Thornless; erect to semi-erect (semi-erect growing habit)
Columbia Star
Vigorous, thornless plants with short, strong fruiting laterals
Seasonality
Ouachita
Mid season; first ripe ~12 June (comparative results)
Von
Mid season
Natchez
Early season; first ripe ~3 June; peak ~8 June; last ~11 July (comparative results)
Columbia Star
Early season; harvest starts beginning of July; 50% ripe date ~12 July (Oregon, USA)
Yield
Ouachita
Consistent high yields; yield potential 27 t/ha (comparative results)
Von
10–50 % higher than standard varieties
Natchez
Consistent high yields; yield potential 32 t/ha (comparative results)
Columbia Star
High yielding; reported yield 34 t/ha; 6.17–8.52 kg/plant average in replicated trials (over 8.5 kg/plant achieved in test plots)
Fruit Size
Ouachita
Conical fruit; good size (approx. 4.5–6.8 g; berry weight 6.0 g in comparative results)
Von
9.1g average
Natchez
Large berries 8–9 g (berry weight 9.4 g in comparative results)
Columbia Star
Large, long-shaped berries (7.6 g average in replicated trials)
Fruit Colour
Ouachita
Glossy black fruit
Von
Deep black with shine
Natchez
Glossy, attractive black finish
Columbia Star
Good, dark fruit colour with exceptional shine; colour maintained post-harvest
Firmness
Ouachita
Firm berries with good travelling quality (berry firmness 8.3 in comparative results)
Von
Extremely Firm, Small Seeds
Natchez
Very firm fruit that stores well (berry firmness 8.1 in comparative results)
Columbia Star
Strong firmness and texture (texture 8.3/9; firmness 7.6/9; berry firmness 8.6 in comparative results)
Flavour
Ouachita
Sweet flavour with distinctive blackberry aroma (9.5% soluble solids/Brix in comparative results)
Von
Sweet (9.4% soluble solids), low acid (pH 3.57)
Natchez
Sweet flavour with distinctive blackberry aroma (9.5% soluble solids/Brix in comparative results)
Columbia Star
Outstanding ‘dessert’ flavour from high sugars and low acids (12.7 Brix in comparative results)
Shelf Life
Ouachita
Exceptional shelf life with good travelling quality
Von
Excellent shelf life
Natchez
Exceptional shelf life; performs well for commercial shipping
Columbia Star
Exceptional shelf life; fruit quality well maintained post-picking
Use
Ouachita
Premium fresh market; also adapted to processed fruit market
Von
Fresh and processed market
Natchez
Fresh market; also adapted to processed fruit market
Columbia Star
Premium fresh market; also adapted to processed fruit market
Ouachita Enquiry
"*" indicates required fields