First year eating the poncas and HOLY SHIT they’re delicious. Almost like a Concord grape. I suddenly don’t care about freedoms or triple crown anymore. PONCA IS KING
So, are the Ponca Blackberries as sweet as they are reported to be? Wonder no more! Let me tell you what I've found, and give you some tips to look for and questions to ask when deciding which variety of blackberries to plant on your property. alan Check out my Website. I've written dozens of articles pertaining to all areas of homesteading and self sufficiency. Here's the link: homesteadadvisor.com/
I've noticed that my Kiowa will fruit a little on the primacanes. They are also very large. I've wondered if they were in the genetic pool that they developed the primeark from. Of course Kiowa are THORNY. I really like the Ponca too. I've got a couple plants.
I grow blackberries at my home near Charlotte NC and also have some growing in the mountains of Virginia. Like you I have found the Freedoms struggle in the cold. I lost 50-60% of my plants, and they were killed back into the crown and the plants died. I had some damage on Ouachita and a tiny bit on Kiowa but nothing like what happened to the Freedoms. I exchanged a few emails with Dr Clark talking about this issue with the Freedoms. I think the Freedoms will do fine here in NC but the Zone 6 planting in VA may have to switch to all Kiowa and Ouachita. I have planted my first Poncas and am anxious to see how they winter. I appreciate your channel. I have now amassed 50+ tubs and have started assembling them to make the move to containers. I see you have a little spurge growing in yours but containers have to be way better about keeping out the Bermuda and other weeds 😊
You bet. *NO Bermuda* at all. A few other weeds are blown in or crapped in by birds. A nice layer of mulch would even prevent most of that. I wish you well on your containers. I really like mine :)
@@moon699ik5 he is the professor who ran the blackberry program at Univ of Arkansas who created most of different varieties of blackberries on the market.
My brother just gave me a black raspberry plant. I’m very very excited about it. We used to pick wild black raspberries in New Hampshire and they are unlike any other raspberry I have ever eaten. They have a very unique flavor that I have experienced with no other fruit and I cannot wait to grow these.
Blackcap raspberries grow wild here in Michigan too. We had them in our yard growing up, so I was sure to start my own patch (Allen black raspberries) when I started my garden. Our canes are loaded this year, and it shouldn't be long now before they start ripening up. As good as blackberries taste, black raspberries are on a whole other level, but TexasPrepper2 makes me really *really* want to add some blackberry canes to the food forest LOL.
@@keyphabenyisrael3219 Just be careful because they will take over. My brother planted them at a residential property and the entire north side of the house was covered with blackberries that you’ve just could not get rid of. I tried and they came back so we just enjoyed them until he moved.
@@BIGALTX all the good TH-camrs have something they can call their own. For certain yours is black berry horticulture and your knowledge of wicking grow containers. You by far excel on TH-cam with those niches.
I planted a couple blackberry plants this year,my first time ever growing berries. I wanted to plant the Ponca but they was sold out everywhere. So maybe next year I’ll luck up and get some. I have so much to learn on how to take care of them.
I greatly appreciate your videos and observations. As a commercial grower, I have been experimenting with the different varieties of blackberries, and I have reached the same conclusions you reached. There is, however, something that makes a huge difference in the quality of a Ponca blackberry, which I want to call your attention to. Specifically, if we pick Ponca blackberries soon after they turn black, we won't harvest the sweetest, tastiest berries. Instead, I recommend that we wait until the druplets are about to burst with juice before picking the berries. If, when looking at an individual berry, the drupes have what appear to be tiny dimples in them, then they aren't yet full of juice. But if we wait an additional day or two before picking, the size and weight of that same berry will sometimes double, and it's wonderfully juicy. And, best of all, the flavor of this fully ripened berry is considerably better!
Wow, that is a great observation. I'll look closer when I pick (may have to bring my glasses) and test your theory. Thanks so much! So, you use Ponca in a commercial application?
I really enjoyed watching this! Based on all the blackberry research I've done I'm pretty certain I want start off getting a marionberry cane to add to our collection, but looking at your Ponca canes I may have to get one of these too! I love the idea of having humongous blackberries, but I value flavor over size and even prolific production.
@@Hatfield_Country It's hard to beat the Prime Ark Freedom berries. BUT... if you are in the north, they won't handle the hard freezes very well. th-cam.com/video/CRTP2zwSnp8/w-d-xo.html
I have been trying to decide which variety to plant and I believe you have helped me decide. Thank you. If you decide to sell some cuttings please put me on the list.
I grow Freedom south of San Antonio. I find that they tolerate the heat well enough. Last year we had a record-hot summer and my single first-year plant still gave me a few hundred berries, all of excellent quality.
Yes, the same thing happened to our floricanes with the PrimeArk Freedom blackberries. We are in Zone 8b/9a and had a late season freeze for just a few hours.
So glad you came clean on the Prime Ark Freedom. Even Dr. Clark admitted there were better berries than that one. 😂😂 I planted one and decided to let the birds have them. I saw a bird pick one then immediately spit it out. They would eat my Quachita's, Osage, Ponca, Arapaho and Traveler but they would not devour the Freedom.
They are definitely sweeter than the freedoms. But they are pretty small sometimes. The freedoms produce huge berries. So there are pluses and minuses to both of them.
I bought mama a PrimeArk Freedom...near impossible to get here in Florida with our regulations. I may get a Ponca for myself. I make meads...and a blackberry hydromel sounds really tasty on a cool 97°F day.
How are the blackberries planted in the earthboxes doing? I would like to use earthboxes on some berries but I'm concerned about the size of the earthbox. Thanks and all the best from Greensboro NC.
Actually, I gave the BB plant that was in an EB to my neighbor. He planted it in the ground and gave me the EB back. It did ok, but I admit I didn't nurture it like I have the tubs. It was kinda off by itself and a little bit neglected. I think they do better in wicking tubs, but will also do fine in EBs
I live in the Dallas, TX, area. On Saturdays, there is a gardening show on one of the radio stations, with a master gardener as the MC? (I'm not sure what you call the DJ for a gardening show.) Anyway, about a week ago he was talking about blackberries, and I was listening intently. I called in to the show to get some advice on getting cuttings to root, since I'd purchased some "Columbia Giant" cuttings from a grower in Pennsylvania. He advised me to, instead, select from among the varieties that already do well down here, like Kiowa, Ouachita, etc. As much as I would love to see how well those giant berries would have done here, I had to admit the wisdom of what he advised (especially since he also lives here in the Metroplex) -- which is one of the reasons I'm such an avid listener to your advice. One other thing that he said that rang a bell with me was that the thornless varieties usually have a lower yield than the thorny varieties. Would you agree with that statement?
The thorned berries MIGHT have better production... but from someone that had 700' of them a few years back, I'll never have any more thorned berries. Not worth the pain... literally... pain! And yes, always try to buy from local nurseries if you can... and check the A&M extension website for what does well in your area
@@BIGALTX I don't have my hands in the bushes nearly as much as you do, since I've only got about 20 plants. If I was handling the canes anywhere near as often as you do, I'm sure I would agree with you about "not worth the pain".
I think that's what I would do too. A few T posts and cattle panels would work great. OR... *HOT WIRE* . I'm a big believer in Hot Wires. Deer hate them!
Our blackberries (which I don't know the variety) are working overtime! Even though I did not get to prune them appropriately this year they are still not disappointing. I've already had 1 cobbler made and my husband wants me to try making some jelly or wine. I wish I knew what variety they are. My husband's parents bought and planted these about 20 years ago from South Arkansas from a nursery. Yes they do have thorns , but they make huge berries. And they have an Indian name. I will pick a few that are still just a little red left. I do enjoy some of that tartness.
We grow Ponca And Ouachita and the first year the berries were 2X the size of yours almost as large as our triple crowns which were huge! maybe it was the fertilizer we gave them not sure and they are in the ground around 300 total...All 3 were very sweet Going to remove the Trible Crowns and plant more Ponca Were located in Fresno California
I ordered 5 Ponca bare roots and planted them in the spring. They really thrived when the ground temperature came up. Now I’m beginning to wonder if they really are Ponca. The canes are a little thin and seem semi erect. Guess time will tell when they fruit next season. 🤷♂️
I am having a problem with rust on my ponca's im not sure why might be the very wet spring ' they get a lot of shade in the afternoon to. the taste is great. hoping for better crop next year thanks for another great video
Do you continue to pinch off the tops through out the year when they get over 4-5 feet in my trellis? I have first year Prime Ark Freedom plants (6). They did not do much this first year. Bare root plants. They are getting tall and full but no berries. Any ideas 💡? My plants in self wicking containers. Used 1 lb of 10-10-10 in February. Use 10-30-20 soluble fertilizer. Help me, I want PAF plants like yours..... I think I have seen every BB video. Keep them coming, appreciated.
Yes, I try not to let mine get over 4 feet or so. If they get too tall, they might break when they are full of berries (from the weight) You can probably fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks till fall Using water soluble usually won't burn them. I use about 2-3 TBS per tub when I fertilize You may or may not get any berries this year. Right now in TX it's too hot for them to bloom and set fruit
The best blackberries in the entire country are growing in New Hampshire, along the Massachusetts border, but they are guarded by Sasquatch. They don’t have one bit of sourness to them. They are amazing but you are risking your life going after them.
I am wondering what guage of wire you are using for your trellis system? Also, you appear to be running two lines of trellis per row. How far apart are those trellis from each other?
Thank you for sharring. I am going to be looking for Panca Blackberry plant now. I was waiting for you to share this video 😂 I wanted to know whi h o es where the sweetest. Keep up the good work God bless you
Double berry if Prime Ark Freedom sets fruit in high temperature. Thank you for the Ponca review! They may improve more as the ripening season continues. I'm also a fan of Osage Blackberry flavor.
I would think they will start bearing pretty soon. IF, those are the primocanes. In other words, if those are first year canes. If they are LAST years’s canes, (depending upon where you live), they will probably have already produced fruit. If so, they may die… But new canes should replace them and start coming up. Just be patient and watch them and see what they do. You may have berries pretty soon… We shall see.
Did you use the steel electric fence wire or the aluminum? I've got some bailing twine but I was thinking it might not be stiff enough to hold up much weight. Thanks man I hope you have a great growing season.
You're sounding a lot like Dr. Clark---THEY'RE ALL GOOD. Let us know how this 100+ hot spell does to the vines and berries. How much/often will you be watering?
I water most every day. They don't get "dry" but I just don't take a chance. I'm probably running water out of the tubs and on to the ground... but better safe than sorry
I get mine at Bob Wells Nursery. He's in Mineola TX bobwellsnursery.com/ I would recommend the Prime Ark Freedom berries. They are not as sweet, but I think they are more prolific BWN gives a 10% discount for my viewers. Use "TP2" at checkout for the discount
I think it would do well in the Philippines. You would have to keep the fungus under control because of the humidity. Blackberries love the heat, so it would be worth a try
Try Bob Wells Nursery (Use TP2 as Discount Code) Nourse Farms (online) Stark Brothers 3 folks that I’ve used. They all may be sold out… Don’t know. Also, summer is not a good time to plant berries or anything else. It would be best to wait till fall or spring. Fall if you are in the south. Spring if are in the north.
Love your channel buddy. Your accent just screams WISDOM. If I may offer a suggestion? Look into the lens and not at yourself on the screen. Makes it seem like ur taking to us and not watching yourself. Again, I LOVE THE CHANNEL. Just being constructive
I have a question if I may I have 2 year old Ponca blackberry plant 5 of them we are in south Louisiana and we have them in a raised bed the problem we are having is they are flowering but not producing and yours has way more leaves than ours we also have ours on an irrigation system and fertilize what would you say more we could do?
Might be pollination They have to have Bees to pollinate or they will not make berries :( Mine aren't looking good this year Will probably do a video next week
@TexasPrepper2 oh no do you think because the hard freeze killed a lot of the bees and that would be wonderful if you could do a video thanks I just subscribed:)
The Floricanes on Ponca die after pruning every year. As far as I know, all floricanes die after fruiting. Ponca blackberries are a floricane variety. They are not primocane.
TP was wondering do you have any Black Berry plants that are the way God made them, what I mean not manipulated by man to grow bigger or faster or less flavor. I had Blue Berries that this was done to, from a friend of mind, big luscious LOOKING berry that you would think blow ur mind, but what a disappointment in flavor, very little flavor, but he was impressed because they were big and the bush grew lots. For me if the flavor is not there why put it in ur mouth, I eat for flavor and nutrition in that order. Do you grow any Natural berries? Cheers
I don't. They are native around here. They are actually called "dew berries". I haven't picked any in a long time, so I don't remember their taste profile. The Ponca's would be hard to beat even from an "heirloom" type variety. Also, the newer berries are probably more disease resistant... not sure
Thanks for what you do. I have been watching your channel for a while now and planted Ouachita based on your work. I am very pleased with the Ouachita. They are doing great. How does the taste of Ponca compare to Ouachita?
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: th-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/w-d-xo.html Here's how to make them: th-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/w-d-xo.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: th-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/w-d-xo.html
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: th-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/w-d-xo.html Here's how to make them: th-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/w-d-xo.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: th-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/w-d-xo.html
I’m really not sure. The sweetness of the blackberries typically determined by the variety. However, you may try some lime. The pH needs to be around 6.5 to 7.0. That might help the sweetness, but I’m not sure.
Well, probably a little bit of a bird problem, but it doesn’t seem to be major. Maybe it’s because I have plenty of berries. If I only had a few plants, then maybe I would recognize my bird damage more.
First year eating the poncas and HOLY SHIT they’re delicious. Almost like a Concord grape. I suddenly don’t care about freedoms or triple crown anymore. PONCA IS KING
Ha ha ha… They are really good!
So, are the Ponca Blackberries as sweet as they are reported to be?
Wonder no more!
Let me tell you what I've found, and give you some tips to look for and questions to ask when deciding which variety of blackberries to plant on your property.
alan
Check out my Website.
I've written dozens of articles pertaining to all areas of homesteading and self sufficiency.
Here's the link: homesteadadvisor.com/
I've noticed that my Kiowa will fruit a little on the primacanes. They are also very large. I've wondered if they were in the genetic pool that they developed the primeark from. Of course Kiowa are THORNY. I really like the Ponca too. I've got a couple plants.
I grow blackberries at my home near Charlotte NC and also have some growing in the mountains of Virginia. Like you I have found the Freedoms struggle in the cold. I lost 50-60% of my plants, and they were killed back into the crown and the plants died. I had some damage on Ouachita and a tiny bit on Kiowa but nothing like what happened to the Freedoms. I exchanged a few emails with Dr Clark talking about this issue with the Freedoms. I think the Freedoms will do fine here in NC but the Zone 6 planting in VA may have to switch to all Kiowa and Ouachita. I have planted my first Poncas and am anxious to see how they winter. I appreciate your channel. I have now amassed 50+ tubs and have started assembling them to make the move to containers. I see you have a little spurge growing in yours but containers have to be way better about keeping out the Bermuda and other weeds 😊
You bet.
*NO Bermuda* at all.
A few other weeds are blown in or crapped in by birds.
A nice layer of mulch would even prevent most of that.
I wish you well on your containers. I really like mine :)
I have a place in N.C. and I'm thinking about planting some blackberrys.Who is Dr. Clark?
@@moon699ik5 he is the professor who ran the blackberry program at Univ of Arkansas who created most of different varieties of blackberries on the market.
My brother just gave me a black raspberry plant. I’m very very excited about it. We used to pick wild black raspberries in New Hampshire and they are unlike any other raspberry I have ever eaten. They have a very unique flavor that I have experienced with no other fruit and I cannot wait to grow these.
Blackcap raspberries grow wild here in Michigan too. We had them in our yard growing up, so I was sure to start my own patch (Allen black raspberries) when I started my garden. Our canes are loaded this year, and it shouldn't be long now before they start ripening up. As good as blackberries taste, black raspberries are on a whole other level, but TexasPrepper2 makes me really *really* want to add some blackberry canes to the food forest LOL.
@@keyphabenyisrael3219 Just be careful because they will take over. My brother planted them at a residential property and the entire north side of the house was covered with blackberries that you’ve just could not get rid of. I tried and they came back so we just enjoyed them until he moved.
They WILL
That's why I have them in containers.
They ain't goin' anywhere! 👍😎
I don't think I've ever tried a black raspberry.. thanks for the info
@@BIGALTX I planted one in Richland Springs. Don’t know if it’s still alive or not.
Thank you. I bought one Ponca this year. Hopefully I can propagate off of it. You really know your Black Berry stuff
The Poncas are nice.
Thanks for the kind words 👍😎
@@BIGALTX all the good TH-camrs have something they can call their own. For certain yours is black berry horticulture and your knowledge of wicking grow containers. You by far excel on TH-cam with those niches.
@@TheSHOP411 Well, thanks so much.
It IS appreciated :)
I planted a couple blackberry plants this year,my first time ever growing berries. I wanted to plant the Ponca but they was sold out everywhere. So maybe next year I’ll luck up and get some. I have so much to learn on how to take care of them.
I got mine from Ison's
Watch my BB videos.
I pretty much cover every aspect of growing BBs
I’ve been looking forward to your Ponca taste test. Glad to see they have met your approval. God Bless.
Thanks so much!
I greatly appreciate your videos and observations. As a commercial grower, I have been experimenting with the different varieties of blackberries, and I have reached the same conclusions you reached. There is, however, something that makes a huge difference in the quality of a Ponca blackberry, which I want to call your attention to. Specifically, if we pick Ponca blackberries soon after they turn black, we won't harvest the sweetest, tastiest berries. Instead, I recommend that we wait until the druplets are about to burst with juice before picking the berries. If, when looking at an individual berry, the drupes have what appear to be tiny dimples in them, then they aren't yet full of juice. But if we wait an additional day or two before picking, the size and weight of that same berry will sometimes double, and it's wonderfully juicy. And, best of all, the flavor of this fully ripened berry is considerably better!
Wow, that is a great observation.
I'll look closer when I pick (may have to bring my glasses) and test your theory.
Thanks so much!
So, you use Ponca in a commercial application?
I am in Missouri we had a real feel freeze of -25 and all my leaves stayed on nothing died. however, my plants are in the ground
That’s amazing.
I think the Ponca blackberries are much more cold tolerant than the Primark freedom berries
I really enjoyed watching this! Based on all the blackberry research I've done I'm pretty certain I want start off getting a marionberry cane to add to our collection, but looking at your Ponca canes I may have to get one of these too! I love the idea of having humongous blackberries, but I value flavor over size and even prolific production.
Yep, these definitely have the PAFs beat on flavor.
But the size of the PA Freedoms will definitely impress folks! 👍😎
Now I want blackberry cobbler and vanilla ice cream lol
YOU AND ME BOTH!!
I haven't had one yet this year :(
@@BIGALTX I need to start me some blackberries this fall. If I was only going to grow one variety which would you recommend?
@@Hatfield_Country
It's hard to beat the Prime Ark Freedom berries.
BUT... if you are in the north, they won't handle the hard freezes very well.
th-cam.com/video/CRTP2zwSnp8/w-d-xo.html
I have been trying to decide which variety to plant and I believe you have helped me decide. Thank you. If you decide to sell some cuttings please put me on the list.
Sorry, I can't sell them
They are all patented... not legal for me to sell
Thanks Alan, yet another good video. We appreciate your wisdom and knowledge
Blessings
Thanks, Grams
The Ponca berries surprised me with their productivity.
I grow Freedom south of San Antonio. I find that they tolerate the heat well enough. Last year we had a record-hot summer and my single first-year plant still gave me a few hundred berries, all of excellent quality.
I've also found they really like the heat. Good to know you've seen the same thing. Thanks for sharing
Yes, the same thing happened to our floricanes with the PrimeArk Freedom blackberries. We are in Zone 8b/9a and had a late season freeze for just a few hours.
So glad you came clean on the Prime Ark Freedom. Even Dr. Clark admitted there were better berries than that one. 😂😂 I planted one and decided to let the birds have them. I saw a bird pick one then immediately spit it out. They would eat my Quachita's, Osage, Ponca, Arapaho and Traveler but they would not devour the Freedom.
Hmmmm... That's interesting
I still like the PAF's but this year may be poor... video to follow
I want to but I just haven't done it yet try to learn the difference. Thank you for sharing 💟
Thanks for watching, Wendy!
Just tipped my Freedoms, and bought 10 Ponca. I hope they turn out as sweet as you say.
They are definitely sweeter than the freedoms. But they are pretty small sometimes. The freedoms produce huge berries. So there are pluses and minuses to both of them.
I bought mama a PrimeArk Freedom...near impossible to get here in Florida with our regulations. I may get a Ponca for myself. I make meads...and a blackberry hydromel sounds really tasty on a cool 97°F day.
Wow... let me know how it turns out! 👍😎
How are the blackberries planted in the earthboxes doing? I would like to use earthboxes on some berries but I'm concerned about the size of the earthbox. Thanks and all the best from Greensboro NC.
Actually, I gave the BB plant that was in an EB to my neighbor.
He planted it in the ground and gave me the EB back.
It did ok, but I admit I didn't nurture it like I have the tubs.
It was kinda off by itself and a little bit neglected.
I think they do better in wicking tubs, but will also do fine in EBs
I live in the Dallas, TX, area. On Saturdays, there is a gardening show on one of the radio stations, with a master gardener as the MC? (I'm not sure what you call the DJ for a gardening show.) Anyway, about a week ago he was talking about blackberries, and I was listening intently. I called in to the show to get some advice on getting cuttings to root, since I'd purchased some "Columbia Giant" cuttings from a grower in Pennsylvania. He advised me to, instead, select from among the varieties that already do well down here, like Kiowa, Ouachita, etc. As much as I would love to see how well those giant berries would have done here, I had to admit the wisdom of what he advised (especially since he also lives here in the Metroplex) -- which is one of the reasons I'm such an avid listener to your advice. One other thing that he said that rang a bell with me was that the thornless varieties usually have a lower yield than the thorny varieties. Would you agree with that statement?
The thorned berries MIGHT have better production... but from someone that had 700' of them a few years back, I'll never have any more thorned berries. Not worth the pain... literally... pain!
And yes, always try to buy from local nurseries if you can... and check the A&M extension website for what does well in your area
@@BIGALTX I don't have my hands in the bushes nearly as much as you do, since I've only got about 20 plants. If I was handling the canes anywhere near as often as you do, I'm sure I would agree with you about "not worth the pain".
I'm trialing 35+ varieties here in Dallas, in containers... as you can tell I had trouble deciding which one get so I got them all :)
This is our first year with thornless varieties. PA Freedom, PA traveler, Ponca and Ouachita. Our issue has been deer. 🤦♂️
I think that's what I would do too.
A few T posts and cattle panels would work great.
OR... *HOT WIRE* .
I'm a big believer in Hot Wires.
Deer hate them!
@@BIGALTX leaning towards a few hot wires. 😫
Our blackberries (which I don't know the variety) are working overtime! Even though I did not get to prune them appropriately this year they are still not disappointing. I've already had 1 cobbler made and my husband wants me to try making some jelly or wine. I wish I knew what variety they are. My husband's parents bought and planted these about 20 years ago from South Arkansas from a nursery. Yes they do have thorns , but they make huge berries. And they have an Indian name. I will pick a few that are still just a little red left. I do enjoy some of that tartness.
Nice.
Watch my blackberry jelly video!
@@BIGALTX I sure will thank youvforbthe references to it
Those are awesome ...I made 2 cobblers from my one prime ark freedom plant this year...
Wow... 2 cobblers from ONE plant... fantastic!
We grow Ponca And Ouachita and the first year the berries were 2X the size of yours almost as large as our triple crowns which were huge! maybe it was the fertilizer we gave them not sure and they are in the ground around 300 total...All 3 were very sweet Going to remove the Trible Crowns and plant more Ponca Were located in Fresno California
Good to know... thanks for sharing!
I ordered 5 Ponca bare roots and planted them in the spring. They really thrived when the ground temperature came up. Now I’m beginning to wonder if they really are Ponca. The canes are a little thin and seem semi erect. Guess time will tell when they fruit next season. 🤷♂️
Some varieties don’t really get “erect” till the 2nd year. Be patient.
@@BIGALTX
Thanks for replying. Greatly appreciated.
I am hoping to try them this year, birds got the few my only cane had last year.
Try covering them with bird netting if possible: amzn.to/40gsJ63
I am having a problem with rust on my ponca's im not sure why might be the very wet spring ' they get a lot of shade in the afternoon to. the taste is great. hoping for better crop next year thanks for another great video
My Freedoms are rusting more than the Poncas, but I will give them a good look tomorrow to make sure
Do you continue to pinch off the tops through out the year when they get over 4-5 feet in my trellis? I have first year Prime Ark Freedom plants (6). They did not do much this first year. Bare root plants. They are getting tall and full but no berries. Any ideas 💡? My plants in self wicking containers. Used 1 lb of 10-10-10 in February. Use 10-30-20 soluble fertilizer. Help me, I want PAF plants like yours..... I think I have seen every BB video. Keep them coming, appreciated.
Yes, I try not to let mine get over 4 feet or so.
If they get too tall, they might break when they are full of berries (from the weight)
You can probably fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks till fall
Using water soluble usually won't burn them.
I use about 2-3 TBS per tub when I fertilize
You may or may not get any berries this year.
Right now in TX it's too hot for them to bloom and set fruit
@@BIGALTX thanks for the information, greatly appreciated.
The best blackberries in the entire country are growing in New Hampshire, along the Massachusetts border, but they are guarded by Sasquatch. They don’t have one bit of sourness to them. They are amazing but you are risking your life going after them.
Uhhhhh... don't want to do THAT 😎
I am wondering what guage of wire you are using for your trellis system? Also, you appear to be running two lines of trellis per row. How far apart are those trellis from each other?
All should be explained in this video: th-cam.com/video/Xsnce7OiPjM/w-d-xo.html
I have been waiting for this ^_^ mine had one on the starter cane but a bird got it >_< waiting for next year.
I think I got ONE last year too...
Looks nice and healthy!
Thanks, Sonnie! 😎
Thank you for sharring.
I am going to be looking for Panca Blackberry plant now. I was waiting for you to share this video 😂 I wanted to know whi h o es where the sweetest.
Keep up the good work
God bless you
Nourse Farms carries them
My pleasure 😊
I've got a lot of plants years ago from Nourse. Good folks
I wouldn't plant until fall if you are in the south.
Double berry if Prime Ark Freedom sets fruit in high temperature. Thank you for the Ponca review! They may improve more as the ripening season continues. I'm also a fan of Osage Blackberry flavor.
Thanks for the info!
Plus, the Osage has a pretty pink flower!
I just bought some potted PAF plants today, June 12, about 30” tall and am in South Alabama. When can I expect berries?
I would think they will start bearing pretty soon. IF, those are the primocanes. In other words, if those are first year canes.
If they are LAST years’s canes, (depending upon where you live), they will probably have already produced fruit. If so, they may die…
But new canes should replace them and start coming up.
Just be patient and watch them and see what they do. You may have berries pretty soon… We shall see.
It's wonderful!))
Thanks!
Did you use the steel electric fence wire or the aluminum? I've got some bailing twine but I was thinking it might not be stiff enough to hold up much weight. Thanks man I hope you have a great growing season.
I use the galvanized steel: amzn.to/3mPkXi7
I have some of the aluminum, but it doesn't seem to be as strong
You're sounding a lot like Dr. Clark---THEY'RE ALL GOOD. Let us know how this 100+ hot spell does to the vines and berries. How much/often will you be watering?
I water most every day.
They don't get "dry" but I just don't take a chance.
I'm probably running water out of the tubs and on to the ground... but better safe than sorry
I'm in zone 8 ,Parker co. Tx., where do I buy Ponca blackberry vines. Do any variety of cherry s grow here?
I get mine at Bob Wells Nursery. He's in Mineola TX
bobwellsnursery.com/
I would recommend the Prime Ark Freedom berries.
They are not as sweet, but I think they are more prolific
BWN gives a 10% discount for my viewers. Use "TP2" at checkout for the discount
The fruits really looks delicious! Does grow in tropical c0untry like here in the Philippines? I hope we have those varieties
I think it would do well in the Philippines.
You would have to keep the fungus under control because of the humidity.
Blackberries love the heat, so it would be worth a try
And... Greetings from Texas!! 😎
Where do you buy the Ponca variety?
Try
Bob Wells Nursery
(Use TP2 as Discount Code)
Nourse Farms (online)
Stark Brothers
3 folks that I’ve used.
They all may be sold out… Don’t know.
Also, summer is not a good time to plant berries or anything else. It would be best to wait till fall or spring.
Fall if you are in the south.
Spring if are in the north.
Love your channel buddy. Your accent just screams WISDOM. If I may offer a suggestion? Look into the lens and not at yourself on the screen. Makes it seem like ur taking to us and not watching yourself. Again, I LOVE THE CHANNEL. Just being constructive
Hahaha... well, I've been told my accent screams a LOT of things... but NEVER WISDOM...!
You made my day. thanks!
And thanks for the tips!
I have a question if I may I have 2 year old Ponca blackberry plant 5 of them we are in south Louisiana and we have them in a raised bed the problem we are having is they are flowering but not producing and yours has way more leaves than ours we also have ours on an irrigation system and fertilize what would you say more we could do?
Might be pollination
They have to have Bees to pollinate or they will not make berries :(
Mine aren't looking good this year
Will probably do a video next week
@TexasPrepper2 oh no do you think because the hard freeze killed a lot of the bees and that would be wonderful if you could do a video thanks I just subscribed:)
I think the late freeze got many of my blooms
Video soon
You ever grow the Darrow variety?
No, I've never heard of that one before.
I'll check it out
Do the Floracanes on the Ponca die after fruiting the second year?
The Floricanes on Ponca die after pruning every year. As far as I know, all floricanes die after fruiting.
Ponca blackberries are a floricane variety. They are not primocane.
@@BIGALTX thank you for your reply kind sir. Wish you the best in what’s coming.
You need to try the Prime Ark traveler and Prime Ark Blackgem
I tried Traveler, but was not impressed.
I haven't heard of the Blackgem... I'll check them out, thanks!
@@BIGALTX blackgem is sold by stark bros
@@blackfam972 I just planted a Starks Black Gem, didn't realize it was a "Prime Ark" variety
@@MikeDawson1 yep says in a video on the stark bros black gem info sales page
TP was wondering do you have any Black Berry plants that are the way God made them, what I mean not manipulated by man to grow bigger or faster or less flavor. I had Blue Berries that this was done to, from a friend of mind, big luscious LOOKING berry that you would think blow ur mind, but what a disappointment in flavor, very little flavor, but he was impressed because they were big and the bush grew lots. For me if the flavor is not there why put it in ur mouth, I eat for flavor and nutrition in that order.
Do you grow any Natural berries? Cheers
I don't.
They are native around here. They are actually called "dew berries".
I haven't picked any in a long time, so I don't remember their taste profile.
The Ponca's would be hard to beat even from an "heirloom" type variety.
Also, the newer berries are probably more disease resistant... not sure
@@BIGALTX Good info thx.
Thanks for what you do. I have been watching your channel for a while now and planted Ouachita based on your work. I am very pleased with the Ouachita. They are doing great. How does the taste of Ponca compare to Ouachita?
I think Ponca are a little sweeter and more tasty than the Quachita, but really not by much
The Quachies are pretty darn tasty
Where do you find your tubs I would like purchase 50 tubs
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: th-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/w-d-xo.html
Here's how to make them: th-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/w-d-xo.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: th-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/w-d-xo.html
I wonder if someone is pursuing further breeding projects with 'Ponca' to get some size on the berries...
Probably, but if they do, they will call it by another name
How large are the blue and brown tubs?
The blue tubs are about 20” tall and 20” in diameter.
Around 18-20 gallons I think
@@BIGALTX thank you for your reply!
How many pounds on average do you get frm the different varieties? Like per every 10 tubs.
Not sure.
I'm going to give a total at the end of the season, but I would say well over a gallon per plant... probably 2 gallons
where do you get the tubs?
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: th-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/w-d-xo.html
Here's how to make them: th-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/w-d-xo.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: th-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/w-d-xo.html
@@BIGALTX Thank you!
How to sweeten my blackberry organic
I’m really not sure.
The sweetness of the blackberries typically determined by the variety. However, you may try some lime. The pH needs to be around 6.5 to 7.0. That might help the sweetness, but I’m not sure.
Do you have problem with birds?
Well, probably a little bit of a bird problem, but it doesn’t seem to be major.
Maybe it’s because I have plenty of berries. If I only had a few plants, then maybe I would recognize my bird damage more.
I bet in wine you can't tell lol.
Hahaha... maybe not! 😎
Why did you not tell which were thornless
ALL of mine are thornless now
I've done the "thorned" berry thing... won't ever go back to thorned berries