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Blackberries

Understanding Primocanes and Floricanes: A Comprehensive Guide to Caneberry Growth and Management

by Donna May 20, 2024

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Understanding Primocanes and Floricanes: A Guide to Caneberry Growth and Management

Caneberries, such as blackberries and raspberries, are popular fruits that are relatively easy to grow and provide a bountiful harvest. However, to maximize your yield and keep your plants healthy, it’s essential to understand the difference between primocanes and floricanes.

What are Primocanes and Floricanes?

Blackberries and raspberries have a two-year growth cycle. In the first year, they produce primocanes, which are vegetative canes that are typically thick, fleshy, and green. The following year, these primocanes transform into floricanes, which are woody, brown canes that produce fruit before dying back.

Primocane vs. Floricane Varieties

Most blackberry and raspberry varieties are floricane fruiting, meaning they produce fruit on the second-year growth (floricanes). These varieties typically bear fruit in early to midsummer. However, there are also primocane fruiting varieties, known as fall-bearing or ever-bearing plants. These varieties produce fruit on both the floricanes in the summer and the primocanes in the fall or early summer.

How to Tell a Floricane from a Primocane

Distinguishing between primocanes and floricanes is crucial for proper pruning and harvesting. Here are some key differences:

Thickness and color: Primocanes are generally thicker and greener than floricanes, which become woody and brown as they age.
Fruiting: Floricanes have fruit, while primocanes do not.
Internodes: Floricanes have shorter internodes (spaces between leaves) than primocanes.
Leaflets: Primocanes have five leaflets per compound leaf, while floricanes have three leaflets.

Pruning and Harvesting for Optimal Yield

To maximize your caneberry harvest and plant health, it’s important to prune and harvest at the right time.

Pruning:

Floricane fruiting varieties: Prune floricanes after they have fruited in the summer. Cut them down close to the ground to encourage new primocane growth.
Primocane fruiting varieties: If you want to maximize your early summer harvest, prune primocanes after they have fruited in the fall. Cut them down close to the ground to promote better quality berries the following year.

Harvesting:

Floricane fruiting varieties: Harvest fruit from floricanes in early to midsummer.
Primocane fruiting varieties: Harvest fruit from floricanes in the summer and from primocanes in the fall or early summer.

Tips for Growing Healthy Caneberries

Choose varieties that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions.
Provide your plants with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
Water your plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Fertilize your plants according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Mulch around your plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Protect your plants from pests and diseases by using appropriate control measures.

By understanding the difference between primocanes and floricanes and following these tips, you can grow healthy and productive caneberries that will provide you with a delicious harvest for years to come.

Gardening

Propagating Blackberries: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

by Donna March 17, 2024

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Propagating Blackberries: A Guide for Beginners

Blackberries are delicious and nutritious fruits that are easy to grow at home. They can be propagated through various methods, including cuttings, suckers, and tip layering.

Propagation by Cuttings

Blackberries can be propagated through leafy stem cuttings or root cuttings. Leafy stem cuttings are the most common method, and they are usually taken while the cane is still firm and succulent. You’ll want to take about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) of the cane stems and place them in a moist peat/sand mix, sticking them in a couple inches deep.

Tip: Rooting hormone can be used to promote root growth, but it is not necessary.

Mist the cuttings well and place them in a shady location. Within three to four weeks, roots should begin to develop.

Root cuttings are also used for blackberry propagation. These cuttings are taken in fall during dormancy and are usually about 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm.) long. They require a three-week cold storage period before being planted.

Once the cuttings have been taken, they should be bundled together (with similar cuts end to end) and cold stored at about 40 degrees F. (4 C.) outdoors in a dry area or in the refrigerator.

After the cold period, the cuttings can be planted in a moist peat and sand mix, about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) apart with straight ends inserted a couple inches into the soil.

Propagation by Suckers

Suckers are one of the easiest ways to propagate blackberries. Suckers are new shoots that grow from the roots of the parent plant. They can be removed from the parent plant and then replanted elsewhere.

To propagate blackberries by suckers, simply dig up the sucker, making sure to get as much of the root system as possible. Then, replant the sucker in a new location.

Propagation by Tip Layering

Tip layering is another method that can be used for blackberry propagation. This method works well for trailing types of blackberries and when only a few plants are needed.

To propagate blackberries by tip layering, simply bend a young shoot over to the ground and cover it with a few inches of soil. This will encourage the shoot to develop roots.

By spring, there should be enough root formation to cut the plant away from the parent and replant elsewhere.

Tips for Successful Propagation

Use clean, sharp tools to take cuttings.
Keep the cuttings moist but not soggy.
Provide plenty of sunlight for the cuttings.
Be patient! It may take several weeks or even months for the cuttings to develop roots.

With a little patience and care, you can easily propagate blackberries and enjoy fresh, delicious berries for years to come.

Berry Growing

Growing Blackberries: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

by Gregory November 2, 2023

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Growing Blackberries: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Blackberries are delicious and versatile fruits that can be enjoyed fresh, baked into desserts, or preserved as jams and jellies. Growing your own blackberries is a rewarding experience that can provide you with a bountiful harvest of fresh berries for years to come.

Choosing the Right Blackberry Variety

There are many different varieties of blackberries available, each with its own unique characteristics. Some popular thornless varieties include:

‘Triple Crown’
‘Thornfree’
‘Black Diamond’
‘Chester Thornless’

When choosing a variety, consider the climate in your area, the size and shape of the berries, and the ripening time.

Preparing the Planting Site

Blackberries prefer to grow in full sun and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. If your soil is not well-drained, you may need to plant your blackberries in a raised bed.

Before planting, clear the planting site of weeds and amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or manure. This will help to improve the soil structure and fertility.

Planting Blackberries

The best time to plant blackberries is in the spring, when the soil has warmed up and the threat of frost has passed. Dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the root system of the plant. Space the plants according to the variety you have chosen. For example, trailing varieties should be spaced 4-6 feet apart, while erect varieties can be spaced 2-3 feet apart.

Place the blackberry plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets. Water the plant deeply and mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Blackberry Plant Care

Once your blackberry bushes are established, they require minimal care. Water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Fertilize the plants in the spring with a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10.

Blackberry bushes need support to grow upright. You can build a trellis or use training wires to support the canes. This will help to prevent the canes from breaking and will also make it easier to harvest the berries.

Each year, after the berries have been harvested, prune out the fruiting canes. This will encourage new growth and help to keep the plants healthy and productive.

Harvesting Blackberries

Blackberries are typically ripe in the summer. The berries will be dark purple or black in color and will easily come off the canes when picked. Pick the berries every three to six days to prevent the birds from getting them first.

Once the berries have been harvested, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Blackberries can also be frozen for longer storage.

Troubleshooting Common Blackberry Problems

Blackberry plants can be susceptible to a few common problems, including:

Diseases: Blackberries can be affected by a variety of diseases, including anthracnose, cane blight, and powdery mildew.
Pests: Blackberry plants can also be attacked by pests, such as aphids, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.
Nutrient deficiencies: Blackberry plants may also suffer from nutrient deficiencies, such as nitrogen deficiency, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.

If you notice any problems with your blackberry plants, consult with a local nursery or extension office for advice on how to treat them.

Conclusion

Growing blackberries is a rewarding experience that can provide you with a bountiful harvest of fresh berries for years to come. By following these tips, you can grow healthy and productive blackberry bushes in your own backyard.