I am running out of space in my yard and have been debating whether or not to have blackberries but your oh-so-detailed and helpful videos have convinced me it will be worth the space and they'll be a success. Thanks so much for taking the time to make all your videos. You really are a blessing to your viewers. BTW, your blackberry trellis video was how I found your channel, but 'thistle is the devil' sealed the deal. I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.
@@BIGALTX I am going to do container berries for a few reasons. We have heavy clay and I don't want to do all that tilling. No matter how much I amend it, the soil in ground won't be as good as what I can bring in for containers. I like the idea of some degree of portability. Yours did so well so if I get ones for my zone they'll be fine through the winter. Lastly, I want to keep them contained. This way the berry patch will look uniform and tidier.
Since you have not harvested Ponca's yet, I'll let you know I planted some last year. They are very tasty, but I did not know how to prune them. So, thanks to you, I'll have a much larger harvest next year.
I too bought them for the newest sweetest University of Arkansas variety and saw information leading one to believe they were floricane also. Thanks for clarification.
I would say so, but it depends on how tall you want them to get. I got greedy in the past and let them grow... I found out that when they get full of fruit (and leaves) the wind can catch them and blow them down. Sometimes breaking the cane off at the ground. No Bueno. I like to prune at 3 to 4 feet.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT TH-cam PLAY BUTTON YET ?? OR DID I MISS IT ? when your pruning do you dip your clippers in a bleach water from time to time ? ya got any veges going this year in the garden ?
I've been meaning to do the "Play Button" video... for about 9 months!!! Thanks for the reminder. I've got a few veggies still going. Peas, maters and peppers... but mostly fruit.
My Floricanes are growing like weeds , but the Primacanes are slow growing all planted this spring ( 2022) all plants were watered and fertilized the same , after this video I pruned backed the Floricanes and will try my shot at propogation .
I've been watching for a while and last fall I planted 6 Navajo's (nursery did not have Prime-Ark Freedoms) and boy I'm glad I did. They produced like gangbusters this year! My question is: What time of year did you do this pruning? The video was published in August 2021 so I'm assuming it was close to then. My plants have become quite unruly and I'd like to prune them back now. Oh yeah, and I built my trellis exactly like you said! P.S. I was finally able to get some Prime-Ark Freedoms, planted them in March and got a tiny production. We'll see what happens next year!
I usually prune at about 4' tall (or just above my top trellis wire) This will force the cane to produce "laterals" below the pruned tip. Let these laterals get 16-18" long then prune them As for pruning out dead canes, as soon as they are dead or dying (it should be obvious that they are dead) I prune them out and discard them. Prune them out as close to the ground as you can. I should have a video up soon as to pruning out dead canes. Don't cut out anything that is not very, very dead. Yours may not have started to die out yet. You may want to wait on the pruning video... shortly, I hope :)
If they are "floricanes" the cane will actually die after it produces fruit. It's pretty obvious at that point which ones to prune out... they will be deader than a doornail. Here's a video on that: th-cam.com/video/mBobS5rrlDA/w-d-xo.html This is a "primocane" video, but the concept is the same... if it dies... prune it out.
Wow... assuming you have been watering it and not "over" fertilizing it... I'm not sure what it could be. If it's only one cane... mine do that from time to time. If it's the whole plant... not sure
@@BIGALTX I just planted them this Spring. I bought the Poncas from the local nursery. And I ordered the Ouchitas from my favorite online company. I got some berries from the existing branches. The new growth is amazing. I’m going to have one heck of a harvest next year. Thank you so much for the awesome content.
I looked it up and it seems to be a dwarf blackberry. I don’t know what they meant by “all in one“ but I don’t think it’s aprimocane. And, looking at it… It’s more of a bush berry instead of tall canes. So I’m really not sure how to prune it. You might want to talk to the nursery you bought it from and ask about pruning.
If they are unwanted there are chemicals that would take them out. Otherwise... blackberries run and spread out. Not much you can do about it. That's why I have mine in containers... they can't go anywhere :)
I prune out the dead canes that just produced berries when the canes are very, very dead. In Texas it’s usually June and July. As far as regular pruning, I do that as the canes get taller or longer than I want them to. That lasts throughout the growing season. I typically do very little if any pruning (in the winter) on blackberries. I have an extensive playlist on blackberries. Many of those videos include pruning tips for Primocane and Floricane varieties. Check it out
@@BIGALTX thank you, i'm actually watching your vids here and there when i have time! i have primacane and got a free floricane from neighbor :) appreciate you!
If you are pruning them during the growing season, then yes. If they are pruned out after they have finished their lifespan, and are beginning to die, then no.
So with floracane varieties, you top them the first year, they produce the second year, then you cut all those canes out and start over? You essentially get one crop every two years?
No, you prune all during the year for productivity. In the early summer, when the blackberries have produced their fruit on last year‘s canes, they will start to die. When they are dead, OBVIOUSLY DEAD, then you prune them out. You will get blackberries each and every year, after the first year. I hope that makes sense. If not, check out the playlist link I sent you.
My 1 year old Prime Arc Freedom black berries made in thru a very hot early start. This spring a got maybe 3 gallons of berries off the old cains. The new cains are growing quickly and some of the new cains are putting on blossoms? Is this normal??
You betcha !! You'll have a LOT of summer berries off these new primocanes Then.. do NOT cut those canes out. These same canes (coming up now) will produce your spring crop NEXT year Keep them pruned (video on that soon) but do not cut them completely out.
Make sure they are VERY, VERY black. I they have any red on them they are tart. The Tart taste is OK if you're making desert or jelly, but for fresh eating it's a little much.
@@BIGALTX I figured this out the hard way - had to reset my whole trellis - wish I had seen your other video before I put it together 😀. Thanks for the great series of videos you produce!
I am running out of space in my yard and have been debating whether or not to have blackberries but your oh-so-detailed and helpful videos have convinced me it will be worth the space and they'll be a success. Thanks so much for taking the time to make all your videos. You really are a blessing to your viewers.
BTW, your blackberry trellis video was how I found your channel, but 'thistle is the devil' sealed the deal. I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.
Are you going to try container berries or in the ground?
@@BIGALTX I am going to do container berries for a few reasons. We have heavy clay and I don't want to do all that tilling. No matter how much I amend it, the soil in ground won't be as good as what I can bring in for containers. I like the idea of some degree of portability. Yours did so well so if I get ones for my zone they'll be fine through the winter. Lastly, I want to keep them contained. This way the berry patch will look uniform and tidier.
@@dianeladico1769
Great reasons to go "mobile".
Containment is my main reason, also weeding around plants in the ground... impossible :(
Bless you for posting this video. I’m right there at this moment. Thank you. Collin County,TX.
You're so welcome. Glad it was helpful!
Yay more blackberry videos and info! Thanks for sharing! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with all of us!
You are so welcome!
Since you have not harvested Ponca's yet, I'll let you know I planted some last year. They are very tasty, but I did not know how to prune them. So, thanks to you, I'll have a much larger harvest next year.
I did harvest the Poncas: th-cam.com/video/m7UsG4ST5Jk/w-d-xo.html
They were really sweet... not big... but sweet
I too bought them for the newest sweetest University of Arkansas variety and saw information leading one to believe they were floricane also.
Thanks for clarification.
I tell you what... they ARE sweeter!
They have a somewhat different taste than the others, but definitely sweeter
That looks liked what I bought from Lowes👍ThanQ 4 the tips...mine is about 6 ft tall😳😳😳I'm thinking I need to prune like u just DID...right?
I would say so, but it depends on how tall you want them to get.
I got greedy in the past and let them grow... I found out that when they get full of fruit (and leaves) the wind can catch them and blow them down. Sometimes breaking the cane off at the ground. No Bueno.
I like to prune at 3 to 4 feet.
@@BIGALTX
Lol...Im short and it makes SENCE to keep it manageable...besides...can't let the WIND get the PRIZE🤠
Thanx again🌱🌱🌱
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT TH-cam PLAY BUTTON YET ?? OR DID I MISS IT ? when your pruning do you dip your clippers in a bleach water from time to time ? ya got any veges going this year in the garden ?
I've been meaning to do the "Play Button" video... for about 9 months!!!
Thanks for the reminder.
I've got a few veggies still going. Peas, maters and peppers... but mostly fruit.
My Floricanes are growing like weeds , but the Primacanes are slow growing all planted this spring ( 2022) all plants were watered and fertilized the same , after this video I pruned backed the Floricanes and will try my shot at propogation .
Summer has never been a great time for me to propagate... too hot and dry
Ponca is supposed to be the best variety yet. Can’t wait to see what they do. I need to get some, where do you get your poncas from?
bobwellsnursery.com/
I think most places are out right now... but probably have some in the late fall.
Mention TP2 as a Discount code and get 10% off.
This is the perfect video for today! My Floricanes are blowing up! I’m Swamped!😂🤣
Then I'm glad I did it...
Always happy to help.
I've been watching for a while and last fall I planted 6 Navajo's (nursery did not have Prime-Ark Freedoms) and boy I'm glad I did. They produced like gangbusters this year! My question is: What time of year did you do this pruning? The video was published in August 2021 so I'm assuming it was close to then. My plants have become quite unruly and I'd like to prune them back now. Oh yeah, and I built my trellis exactly like you said! P.S. I was finally able to get some Prime-Ark Freedoms, planted them in March and got a tiny production. We'll see what happens next year!
I usually prune at about 4' tall (or just above my top trellis wire)
This will force the cane to produce "laterals" below the pruned tip.
Let these laterals get 16-18" long then prune them
As for pruning out dead canes, as soon as they are dead or dying (it should be obvious that they are dead) I prune them out and discard them. Prune them out as close to the ground as you can. I should have a video up soon as to pruning out dead canes.
Don't cut out anything that is not very, very dead.
Yours may not have started to die out yet.
You may want to wait on the pruning video... shortly, I hope :)
@@BIGALTX , Why do we need to prune the laterals once they are 18" tall? Does this induce further laterals on the lateral branch and more fruit?
Yes, it does... BUT I found something new out last year: th-cam.com/video/yRy41bYQGOw/w-d-xo.html
Let's say I prune it the way showing, then how do I prune it after I harvest bb next season ?
Thank for exelent interpretation and sharing !
If they are "floricanes" the cane will actually die after it produces fruit.
It's pretty obvious at that point which ones to prune out... they will be deader than a doornail.
Here's a video on that: th-cam.com/video/mBobS5rrlDA/w-d-xo.html
This is a "primocane" video, but the concept is the same... if it dies... prune it out.
I wish I could upload my short video clip so that you could show me the difference in the canes in my blackberries.
Thanks for sharing, I have blackberries in a container , leaves turned brown form buttom to up , what should I do saving her?
Wow... assuming you have been watering it and not "over" fertilizing it... I'm not sure what it could be.
If it's only one cane... mine do that from time to time.
If it's the whole plant... not sure
@@BIGALTX yes, i water it once a week lately, and twice in warm summer days , not sure about fertilizing..maybe I should replace with a new soil
I’ve got Poncas and Ouchita’s. I got a few berries of last years branches.
The Quachita is a great berry.
I'm looking forward to getting some Ponca berries next spring... yum :)
@@BIGALTX I just planted them this Spring. I bought the Poncas from the local nursery. And I ordered the Ouchitas from my favorite online company. I got some berries from the existing branches. The new growth is amazing. I’m going to have one heck of a harvest next year. Thank you so much for the awesome content.
@@thetexianpatriot2201
You're very welcome, Tex!
I bought a Baby Cakes blackberry they say they are both in one, is that true? And how would I know how to prune it?
Love your set up.
I looked it up and it seems to be a dwarf blackberry. I don’t know what they meant by “all in one“ but I don’t think it’s aprimocane.
And, looking at it… It’s more of a bush berry instead of tall canes. So I’m really not sure how to prune it. You might want to talk to the nursery you bought it from and ask about pruning.
@@BIGALTX I think you are suppose to trim it back, I guess I am going to find out.
Thanks for your videos, very helpful.
I have no idea what kind of blackberries that have taken over a portion of my yard . I need advice on how to get them more manageable.
If they are unwanted there are chemicals that would take them out.
Otherwise... blackberries run and spread out.
Not much you can do about it.
That's why I have mine in containers... they can't go anywhere :)
Are they in pots on the ground? Or are they in the ground and you just have those pots around them
These are in containers. I have a complete Playlist on my channel about growing blackberries and containers.
When is best time to prune here in Texas? Both prime and flora same time is ok? Thank you
I prune out the dead canes that just produced berries when the canes are very, very dead. In Texas it’s usually June and July.
As far as regular pruning, I do that as the canes get taller or longer than I want them to. That lasts throughout the growing season. I typically do very little if any pruning (in the winter) on blackberries.
I have an extensive playlist on blackberries. Many of those videos include pruning tips for Primocane and Floricane varieties.
Check it out
@@BIGALTX thank you, i'm actually watching your vids here and there when i have time! i have primacane and got a free floricane from neighbor :) appreciate you!
Will the part you pruned root it in soil?
If you are pruning them during the growing season, then yes.
If they are pruned out after they have finished their lifespan, and are beginning to die, then no.
Do you prune the laterals during the winter? Or just leave them alone?
Since there will be no vegetative growth in winter, I try to make sure everything is pruned going into fall.
@@BIGALTX oh ok
Can we root the removed top branch to get new plants from the Floricane pruning?
Sure, but I have very little success propagating in the summer... just too hot in TX to do that
So with floracane varieties, you top them the first year, they produce the second year, then you cut all those canes out and start over? You essentially get one crop every two years?
No, you prune all during the year for productivity. In the early summer, when the blackberries have produced their fruit on last year‘s canes, they will start to die.
When they are dead, OBVIOUSLY DEAD, then you prune them out. You will get blackberries each and every year, after the first year.
I hope that makes sense. If not, check out the playlist link I sent you.
@@BIGALTX ok thanks! I’ll check out the list you sent me too!
My 1 year old Prime Arc Freedom black berries made in thru a very hot early start. This spring a got maybe 3 gallons of berries off the old cains. The new cains are growing quickly and some of the new cains are putting on blossoms? Is this normal??
You betcha !!
You'll have a LOT of summer berries off these new primocanes
Then.. do NOT cut those canes out. These same canes (coming up now) will produce your spring crop NEXT year
Keep them pruned (video on that soon) but do not cut them completely out.
Hi Bobby. My Prime Ark Freedom blackberries taste sour/bitter. Any hints on what can be done to make them sweet. Thanks in advance.
Make sure they are VERY, VERY black.
I they have any red on them they are tart.
The Tart taste is OK if you're making desert or jelly, but for fresh eating it's a little much.
@@BIGALTX Thanks.
Wait till they are a dull black not shiny. Also, don’t pick right after a rain, it makes them more bitter.
What's the width of your trellis system?
You'll have to look at the video I linked to under this video, but I think it's 20".
@@BIGALTX I just found it, you're correct! Do you sell any of your primocane plants? The size of those berries make me jealous!
@@BIGALTX I figured this out the hard way - had to reset my whole trellis - wish I had seen your other video before I put it together 😀.
Thanks for the great series of videos you produce!
@@billmcauliff7823
You're very welcome, Bill
Glad to help.
@@wadewilson5296
They are patented plants. I can't propagate to sell.