blackberries

updated thu 30 dec 04

Pat on mon 18 may 98

Jelly, jam
Hmm, good!
Pat in Phoenix

Jane Burdekin on mon 18 may 98

I t sounds wonderful. Let's see, there is blackberry wine, jam, jelly,
pancakes, waffles, pie, cake, torte, cheesecake, I'm sure there are others.
You could probably just follow the recipies for raspberries if you can't
find blackberry recipies. Congrats on the great find. Jane

Linda Jones on mon 18 may 98

Date: Monday, May 18, 1998 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: Blackberries

> Hello all,

> I have just returned from a day in the country :)!!!

> One of the treasures we came home with was a bunch of blackberries. Any
ideas
> what I can do with them, other than eating fresh and in cobblers?

> Marcia in GA

turnovers or pie, syrup, muffins

Linda Jones
lindaj@hamilton.net

MAn917 on mon 18 may 98

Hello all,

I have just returned from a day in the country :)!!!

One of the treasures we came home with was a bunch of blackberries. Any ideas
what I can do with them, other than eating fresh and in cobblers?

Marcia in GA

Pat on mon 18 may 98

ideas
Harry, That is so funny - is that the Blackberry Religion?
Pat from Phoenix

Harry Boswell on mon 18 may 98

What do you mean, "other than cobblers"? Blackberry cobbler is God's
Gift to the taste buds. Using blackberries for any other purpose
is an Insult To Mankind And An Abomination Before The Lord

Harry Boswell hboswell@netdoor.com
USDA Zone 8 (Mississippi USA)
Home Page: http://www2.netdoor.com/~hboswell

jmd on mon 18 may 98

Ah, Harry Re: eating the blackberries

Except you left out picking them right off the bush and
gobbling up the sunwarmed berries. :-))
Brings back happy childhood memories. Still can resist
doing that.
June

Talent on mon 18 may 98

OOOOOH! Jelly, shorcake, toppping for pancakes or waffles or icecream, in
your cereal, My list goes on and on....MMMMmmmmmmm.
Date: Monday, May 18, 1998 11:01 AM
Subject: Re: Blackberries

Ben and Sasha Goldberg on mon 18 may 98

MAn917 wrote:
One really easy thing to do is to make what's called a shrub. The
proportions are up to you. bascially you cover the berries well with
sugar and let them sit for several hours. Mash them up in a pot, add
lemon juice or vinegar (I did not care for vinegar when I did
strawberries)bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes, mashing from
time to time. Strain, cool, add water (or club soda) to taste. I'm
also going to try making a gelatin out of it. The proportions of
berries to sugar differs wildly. One recipe called for equal volumes
while another called for 2 cups sugar to 2 quarts fruit. I just cover
the fruit well. Lemon juice for two quarts of fruit seems to be about
1/2 to 1 cup, vinegar about half that.

One thing that's really nice about this is that you don't have to hull
the strawberries or get all the little bits off bramble berries because
you strain the finished product.

Sasha Goldberg

Susan LaCroix on mon 18 may 98

Blackberry cream cheese pie. My uncle used to always request that for his
birthday.

Tom & Donna Dawson on mon 18 may 98

If you haven't tried blackberry jelly, you're missing one of my favorite
jam/jelly... watch the juice though, donna had a real "happening" and one
of her t-shirts still bears the scars...

Tom
http://www.ICanGarden.com

> Hello all,

> I have just returned from a day in the country :)!!!

> One of the treasures we came home with was a bunch of blackberries. Any
ideas

Tim & Christa on mon 18 may 98

You can send them to me!

Christa
Zone 7
Maggie Valley, NC
Date: Monday, May 18, 1998 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: Blackberries

ideas

MAn917 on tue 19 may 98

Susan,

Blackberry Cream Pie sounds wonderful! Could you possibly send the recipe?

Talent on tue 19 may 98

Recipe for Blackberry Cheese Pie:

Have a ready-made butter crust or graham cracker crust ready.

Cheese filling: Blenad 1 8 oz. pkg. softened cream cheese with 3/4 Cup
powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla extract (plus optional tsp. rum exptract)
until smooth. Gently stir in 1 cup whipped cream or cool whip. Spoon into
crust and refrigerate.

Fruit topping: Needs total of 2 Cups fresh berries (you can also use
blueberries or raspberies or huckleberries)
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch and dash salt in saucepan. hAdd
1/2 Cup water and 1 Cup berries. Cook, stirring constantly, until
thickened. Add 1 tsp.butter and the 2nd Cup berries (reserving a few whole
berries for garnish). Cool slightly, and then pour over filling.

Garnish with a bit more whipped cream and the last of the berries.

This recipe is WONDERFUL (I know, I know, I'm screaming.....) , esp
with the rum extract in it. It is also very handy for unexpected company,
cuz you can have everything already on hand as "stock", either in the
freezer or on the shelf. Linda Talent
-----Original Message-----
From: MAn917
To: Multiple recipients of list GARDENS
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 1998 6:28 AM
Subject: Re: Blackberries

MAn917 on wed 20 may 98

Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to trying "Blackberry Cheese Pie"

Marcia

Janice Falvey on tue 29 dec 98

Okay folks, I am taking a poll. I posted to another list and got the feeling
that planting blackberry bushes was akin to the plague, so your words of
wisdom will be greatly appreciated by myself. I have never planted berry
bushes of any kind but was looking through the latest Miller Nursery catalog
that came yesterday.
They have a cultivar called "Chester", which is *thornless* and does *not*
sucker. This greatly appealed to me. However, when I posted to other list I
was told I would get snakes, suckers everywhere and will never eradicate it if
I choose to do so.

Has anyone on *this* list ever had an experience with Chester? Is he really
thornless and suckerless? How many should I grow to have enough berries to
make jam? Should I grow Raspberries instead? Are Raspberries just as bad? Any
help, knowledge, thoughts, encounters, would be most appreciated. By the way I
was planning to grow on a slope that has a retaining wall. They would be in
full sun.

Thanks a bunch

Janice
CT zone 6

Janice Falvey on tue 29 dec 98

Derek
Thank you for your kind reply. I live in Connecticut (New England). I have
mulled it over in my mind and have decided to go with both a blackberry bush
and a raspberry. I also ordered a Rhubarb-a sweeter cultivar than is normally
found.
As with many things, there are pros and cons. I will give it a whirl. They
should arrive sometime between March and May (as that is when they ship).
By the way, I have many cousins in the UK and have had the pleasure of their
visits.

Happy Gardening....

Janice
CTzone 6

Derek Knight on tue 29 dec 98

Yes, I've noticed that some people take an extreme view of blackberries - I
think this could depend on your country - for example as I remember, they
where introduced to Australia, and are now a real menace in many parts.
(Sorry, working from memory here - could be wrong country!).

Having said that, in my part of the UK, blackberries are a "native"
woodland plant - it will grow in most places if an area is left un
cultivated for long enough, but they are not a real problem. I have some on
my allotment - but they came with it, so I can't say what sort they are.
Personally, I don't have a problem with them - yes, they put out suckers
which root freely, but it's easy to keep them at bay when doing routine
clearing up. Five plants produce enough fruit in the summer to keep us (a
family of 4) more than supplied - with some going into the freezer, and I
actually made some jam this year as well.

I've planted some raspberries this year, and they seem to have less
vigorous habits, although I guess it's too early to say yet.

Derek in London, UK

Brenda Pink on fri 24 mar 00

I don't know, but I'm thinking of forming one for wild strawberries now
too! :)

Brenda in Lethbridge

Bill Loke wrote:

Bill Loke on sat 25 mar 00

Wild strawberries I have but blackberries............... whole different
thing. We used to pick washtubs full when I lived in Southern Quebec.
(Eastern Townships)
Bill Loke; Kars, Ontario. USDA Z 4B/5A

Robert Ottiano on sat 27 may 00

3/4 of my blackberry bushes look real bad. Black and white stems with
minimal leaves; they almost look burnt. And, they're planted nest to the
raspberries. I don't know how significant this is-both stock are generated
from tissue culture and virus free. Any comments before I uproot and burn.

Patricia Ruggiero on sun 28 may 00

I don't have an answer, but you might ask on the Caneberry list. To
subscribe, send a blank email to:

caneberry-subscribe@onelist.com

Pat

Behalf Of Robert Ottiano
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2000 6:31 PM
To: OGL@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Blackberries

3/4 of my blackberry bushes look real bad. Black and white stems with
minimal leaves; they almost look burnt. And, they're planted nest to the
raspberries. I don't know how significant this is-both stock are generated
from tissue culture and virus free. Any comments before I uproot and burn.

Lon J. Rombough on sun 17 sep 00

Here in the Pacific NW, we have a very wide range of blackberries. There
are the small native "dewberries" Rubus ursinus, which are soft, very
aromatic and ripen very early. The introduced, escaped Himalaya
blackberries, Rubus procerus, have excellent, sweet fruit, but are extremely
invasive and can overrun whole acres with no trouble. The Evergreen
blackberry, Rubus laciniatus, is somewhat later ripening, not quite as sweet
or aromatic, but very firm, which makes it useful for cooking. Then there
are the cultivated blackberries - Marionberry, Boysenberry, Kotata, and MANY
more. The Marionberry is the main commercial berry here for processing as
it has a more aromatic flavor and smaller seeds than other berries. Most
all the cultivated blackberries have more than one species in their
ancestry.
For the record, "Blackberries" aren't always black. The defining trait
for them is if the fruit comes off attached to the core or receptacle.
Raspberries always separate from the core, which stays on the plant. By
that definition, there are "blackberries" that are red, mahogany, black,
purple, brown, pink, and even white. The Arctic "raspberry" is actually a
blackberry by that definition.
End of lecture.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, unusual fruits, writing, more, at http://www.hevanet.com/lonrom

----------

Bargyla Rateaver on sun 17 sep 00

If you have a berry that grows huge like that, why don't you sell pieces that others can grow? I am sure you have nothing else to do with your time, ha.

Carol Jensen wrote:

--

Bargyla Rateaver, PhD
http://home.earthlink.net/~brateaver/bbio.htm

Bargyla Rateaver on sun 17 sep 00

thanks for that info, that I never heard before. I had to use some of my
fast-diminishing pile of copy paper for this--so valuable, thanks a heap

"Lon J. Rombough" wrote:

--

Bargyla Rateaver, PhD
http://home.earthlink.net/~brateaver/bbio.htm

Carol Jensen on sun 17 sep 00

I thought you might be interested in hearing about Danish blackberries.

There are two kinds, one a bit earlier than the other.

The huge kind, here on Zeeland, is really BIG and has its berries in September. When old, the oldest shoots are bigger than my wrist, and they are as tall as trees.

My one dried-out blackberry piece that I threw away must be three years ago, has really taken off this year. It covers the cherry tree, the strawberries, has grown in back of the greenhouse and covers most of the bean patch beside it. It keeps on putting new side shoots out which immediately flower!!! I love it!

The other kind is probably the same as I knew in the US, smaller and earlier. It berries in August here and July in New York State. That makes sense.

The wild ones in the woods down the road 5 minutes are the small kind, or at least they seem to be, perhaps because there is a lot of shade. They are also very profuse.

Carol, southern Denmark
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Lon J. Rombough on mon 18 sep 00

Like I said, there are many varieties and SPECIES (plural) of blackberries.
The defining characteristic is that in blackberries, the druplets adhere to
the core and are eaten with it. In raspberries, the druplets come off the
core, which stays on the plant.
----------

Carol Jensen on mon 18 sep 00

Bargyla, I think they grow wild all over Denmark. I could try it though, since my daughter in season sells plants on a stand in front of my house. But they are so invasive, not many people would want them! I love them, the more the better.

Carol
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Carol Jensen on mon 18 sep 00

> Here in the Pacific NW, we have a very wide range of blackberries.
> -Lon Rombough
> Grapes, unusual fruits, writing, more, at http://www.hevanet.com/lonrom

I looked up blackberry in my daughter's Flora and it mentions only rubus fructicosus, which I assume is the cultivated type. But which?

Carol
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and WHY the marketing gurus are correct!
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Tony & Moira Ryan on tue 19 sep 00

Carol Jensen wrote:

> I looked up blackberry in my daughter's Flora and it mentions only rubus fructicosus, which I assume is the cultivated type. But which?

Carol
Taxonomists, who do the naming of plants, come in two breeds - the
Splitters and the Lumpers.

Looking at the European blackberries the Lumpers see only one species
(R. fruticosus) with a tremendous number of variations (sub species
-call them what you will) while the splitters divide the group into more
than 300 species.
The germplasm in this group seems to be extremely plastic and capable of
almost any variation you can think of without any help from man. As far
as cultivated blackberries from this group are concerned, I suspect all
breeders have had to do is go out and try to pick the best ones. Your
one with the huge fruits would doubtless be one of these, but it seems
it could perhaps do with some work to bring down, if possible, the
vigour of the bush without reducing the fruit size.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)

Carol Jensen on tue 19 sep 00

Well, my daughter has had the bright idea that we move them all to the south fence and espalier them, perhaps with just one branch to the right. That ought to keep them in place!

Yesterday I found that another plant had loads of berries, one on the north fence. The one on the south fence grows in shade and has none. I have this fall about 100 plants, as they set their shoots down and make roots all over. This spring I dug them up and gave them to my younger daughter, but they just keep on doing it!!! I HAVE to tame them, especially as they have thorns in proportion to their size!

Carol

jeshirley on mon 9 jul 01

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_0118_01C10886.857EBCC0

Hello all,

I recently moved into the Mississippi coast area, and I've noticed some =
blackberries growing wild in the woods near my house. Is there any kind =
of wild berries you shouldn't eat? I lived in a city all my life so I'm =
new to this wild stuff but I'd like to start a cutting. : ) Also, do =
you have any hints on how to grow them from cuttings?

Thanks,
Jenifer

------=_NextPart_000_0118_01C10886.857EBCC0







Hello all,

 

I recently moved into the Mississippi coast area, =
and I've
noticed some blackberries growing wild in the woods near my house.  =
Is
there any kind of wild berries you shouldn't eat?  I lived in a =
city all my
life so I'm new to this wild stuff but I'd like to start a =
cutting.  :
)  Also, do you have any hints on how to grow them from
cuttings?  

 

Thanks,

Jenifer


------=_NextPart_000_0118_01C10886.857EBCC0--

wheatrose on mon 9 jul 01

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_008F_01C108AC.513046C0

should i prune back the ones that are fruiting this year? Are they done =
forever then? How should I prune them?

Thanks!

Holly

The canes *not* to take are those that are fruiting now, or are just =
finished fruiting. Their life is over. Bramble fruits bear on =
second-year canes. The new ones coming along now will fruit next year.

.

Bramble fruits keep sending up new canes. Let's say you start with =
a half dozen this year; next year you'll have a modest harvest from =
these canes but zillions more new canes will grow all around your =
transplanted ones. The following year you'll probably have more =
blackberries than you know what to do with. Judicious pruning will =
enable you to get to these fruits, as well as rendering them of bigger =
size and perhaps more sweetness than if you left them untended.

------=_NextPart_000_008F_01C108AC.513046C0







should i prune back the ones that are fruiting this
year?  Are they done forever then? How should I prune =
them?

 

Thanks!

 

Holly

 

style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
color=3D#0000ff>The canes
*not* to take are those that are fruiting now, or are just finished
fruiting.  Their life is over.  Bramble fruits bear on =
second-year
canes.  The new ones coming along now will fruit next
year.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Bramble
fruits keep sending up new canes.   Let's say  you =
start with a
half dozen this year; next year you'll have a modest harvest from =
these canes
but zillions more new canes will grow all around your transplanted =
ones. 
The following year you'll probably have more blackberries than you =
know what
to do with.  Judicious pruning will enable you to get to these =
fruits, as
well as rendering them of bigger size and perhaps more sweetness than =
if you
left them untended.

color=3D#0000ff> 


------=_NextPart_000_008F_01C108AC.513046C0--

Patricia Ruggiero on mon 9 jul 01

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C108B2.5B7CF000

Instead of cuttings, you could carefully dig up this year's canes, small
ones, with as much root intact as possible, and plant them where you want
them. It may be a little late in the season to do this, as the canes may
be too big to be transplanted easily or successfully, but if you look around
you may find some small ones popping up hither and yon.

The canes *not* to take are those that are fruiting now, or are just
finished fruiting. Their life is over. Bramble fruits bear on second-year
canes. The new ones coming along now will fruit next year.

Take note of where and how they are growing in the wild -- in small
clearings in wooded areas, or just at the edge of wooded areas. So don't
transplant them into full sun. Give them some shade.

Bramble fruits keep sending up new canes. Let's say you start with a half
dozen this year; next year you'll have a modest harvest from these canes but
zillions more new canes will grow all around your transplanted ones. The
following year you'll probably have more blackberries than you know what to
do with. Judicious pruning will enable you to get to these fruits, as well
as rendering them of bigger size and perhaps more sweetness than if you left
them untended.

Alternatively, if the woods are yours, and also quite near your house, you
could just "manage" that stand of berries -- it just takes a bit of pruning
to make them accessible.

You may also want to note if there if poison ivy growing among the
blackberries -- a good reason to create your own stand elsewhere.

Don't eat pokeberries (some call them inkberries).

Pat

Jenifer wrote: " I recently moved into the Mississippi coast area, and I've
noticed some blackberries growing wild in the woods near my house. Is there
any kind of wild berries you shouldn't eat? I lived in a city all my life
so I'm new to this wild stuff but I'd like to start a cutting. : ) Also,
do you have any hints on how to grow them from cuttings?"

------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C108B2.5B7CF000







color=3D#0000ff>Instead of
cuttings, you could carefully dig up this year's canes, small ones, with =
as much
root intact as possible, and plant them where you want them.   =

color=3D#0000ff>It
may be a little late in the season to do this, as the canes may be too =
big to be
transplanted easily or successfully, but if you look around you may
find some small ones popping up hither and yon.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>The canes
*not* to take are those that are fruiting now, or are just finished
fruiting.  Their life is over.  Bramble fruits bear on =
second-year
canes.  The new ones coming along now will fruit next
year.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Take note of
where and how they are growing in the wild -- in small =
clearings in
wooded areas, or just at the edge of wooded areas.  So don't =
transplant
them into full sun.  Give them some shade.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Bramble
fruits keep sending up new canes.   Let's say  you start =
with a
half dozen this year; next year you'll have a modest harvest from these =
canes
but zillions more new canes will grow all around your transplanted =
ones. 
The following year you'll probably have more blackberries than you know =
what to
do with.  Judicious pruning will enable you to get to these fruits, =
as well
as rendering them of bigger size and perhaps more sweetness than if you =
left
them untended.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Alternatively, if the woods are yours, and also quite =
near your
house, you could just "manage" that stand of berries -- it just takes a =
bit of
pruning to make them accessible.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>You may also
want to note if there if poison ivy growing among the blackberries -- a =
good
reason to create your own stand elsewhere.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Don't eat
pokeberries (some call them inkberries).

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Pat

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Jenifer
wrote: 
class=3D944443322-09072001>face=Arial color=#0000ff size=3> " I =
recently moved into
the Mississippi coast area, and I've noticed some blackberries growing =
wild in
the woods near my house.  Is there any kind of wild berries you =
shouldn't
eat?  I lived in a city all my life so I'm new to this wild stuff =
but I'd
like to start a cutting.  : )  Also, do you have any hints on =
how to
grow them from cuttings?face=3DArial
color=#0000ff size=3>size=3D2>"


------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C108B2.5B7CF000--

Patricia Ruggiero on mon 9 jul 01

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C108C3.2E4C93E0

The canes that are fruiting this year are finished. Very shortly the canes
will turn brown, dry, and brittle. You can cut them out as soon as the
fruit is gone, or you can wait to cut them when they are clearly dead, or
you can do nothing at all and let nature topple them over. If you are
managing a stand, the last option is least desirable as the dead canes take
up space and could later harbor disease.

Meanwhile, you should be seeing lots of new canes growing in the stand.
Right? These will bear fruit next season. If you are trying to manage a
stand then it is wise to remove the dead canes and to thin out the weak and
spindly new canes, and leave some space (don't ask me, I don't know, I just
sort of judge) between the healthy, sturdy new canes. These will grow very,
very long this season.

As for pruning these new canes, here is a simple schedule:

In the late winter cut the main stem so that it is no more than 3-4 feet
tall. Cut the laterals (side branches) to about a hand's span. The bare
canes may look funny, but have faith. Very soon flower buds will form, and
eventually clusters of berries will form all along the laterals. I have
only one season's experience with actively managing blackberries (more with
red and black raspberries): this year was the first time I pruned them and
the berries were bigger, juicier, and sweeter than the previous two years
that we've lived here. Of course, one could argue that other variables are
at play: more rain, for one thing. But I have read that pruning, by
reducing the number of berries, causes those berries that are produced to be
bigger and sweeter. Blackberry canes in other parts of our property, which
we've just left alone, have not produced nearly as prolifically. I'm
keeping notes on this.

Knowing when to prune is probably the hardest part. Pruning stimulates bud
growth. Too early a pruning could bring on buds that will then be killed by
a late frost. For that, you have to know your area and its weather.

As you cut out canes this summer, and when you prune next year (late winter
or very early spring), you will probably be envisioning how the stand will
look and how you will access it. Don't forget, as I did, that by the time
the berries are ready for picking, a zillion more new canes will have grown
up in your stand, all with nasty thorns, ready to thwart your reaching for
those plump, juicy, sweet berries in the interior. Back to the drawing
board.

Folks on the caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, right
about now, of the new canes of *red raspberries* as a means of producing
bigger berries next season. I plan to try this with *some* of the red
raspberries, the black raspberries, and the blackberries, but I have no
experience to recount to you so far about this.

Pat

Holly asked: "should i prune back the ones that are fruiting this year?
Are they done forever then? How should I prune them? "

------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C108C3.2E4C93E0







color=3D#0000ff>The canes
that are fruiting this year are finished.  Very shortly the canes =
will turn
brown, dry, and brittle.  You can cut them out as soon as the fruit =
is
gone, or you can wait to cut them when they are clearly dead, or =
you can do
nothing at all and let nature topple them over.  If you are =
managing a
stand, the last option is least desirable as the dead canes take up =
space and
could later harbor disease.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Meanwhile,
you should be seeing lots of new canes growing in the stand. =
Right?  These
will bear fruit next season.  If you are trying to manage =
a stand then
it is wise to remove the dead canes and to thin out the weak and spindly =
new
canes, and leave some space (don't ask me, I don't know, I just =
sort of
judge) between the healthy, sturdy new canes.  These will grow =
very, very
long this season.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>As for
pruning these new canes, here is a simple =
schedule:

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>In the late
winter cut the main stem so that it is no more than 3-4 feet =
tall. 
Cut the laterals (side branches) to about a hand's span.  The bare =
canes
may look funny, but have faith.  Very soon flower buds will form, =
and
eventually clusters of berries will form all along the laterals.  I =
have
only one season's experience with actively managing blackberries (more =
with red
and black raspberries): this year was the first time I pruned them and =
the
berries were bigger, juicier, and sweeter than the previous two =
years that
we've lived here.  Of course, one could argue that other variables =
are at
play: more rain, for one thing.  But I have read that =
pruning, by
reducing the number of berries, causes those berries that are produced =
to be
bigger and sweeter.  Blackberry canes in other parts of our =
property, which
we've just left alone, have not produced nearly as =
prolifically.   I'm
keeping notes on this.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Knowing when
to prune is probably the hardest part.  Pruning stimulates bud
growth.  Too early a pruning could bring on buds that will then be =
killed
by a late frost.  For that, you have to know your area and its
weather.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>As you cut
out canes this summer, and when you prune next year (late winter or very =
early
spring), you will probably be envisioning how the stand will look and =
how you
will access it.  Don't forget, as I did, that by the time the =
berries are
ready for picking, a zillion more new canes will have grown up in your =
stand,
all with nasty thorns, ready to thwart your reaching for those plump, =
juicy,
sweet berries in the interior.  Back to the drawing
board.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=3D#0000ff>Folks on the
caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, right about now, =
of the
new canes of *red raspberries*  as a means of producing bigger =
berries next
season.  I plan to try this with *some* of the red raspberries, the =
black
raspberries, and the blackberries, but I have no experience to recount =
to you so
far about this.

color=3D#0000ff> 

color=#0000ff>Patsize=3D2>

class=203092201-10072001>size=3D3> Holly
asked: "
should i prune back the =
ones that
are fruiting this year?  Are they done forever then? How should I =
prune
them?
color=3D#0000ff
size=3> size=3D2>" 


------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C108C3.2E4C93E0--

Carol Jensen on mon 9 jul 01

Hello all,

I recently moved into the Mississippi coast area, and I've noticed some
blackberries growing wild in the woods near my house. Is there any kind
of wild berries you shouldn't eat? I lived in a city all my life so I'm
new to this wild stuff but I'd like to start a cutting. : ) Also, do
you have any hints on how to grow them from cuttings?

Thanks,

Jenifer



It's fine to pick them wild. I have my own blackberries from cuttings,
made when I didn't know how. Some of them took two years to start, but
they are huge now and taking over the garden. I took the end of the
strands, several, in case some were okay and some not. Wear gloves!!!!

Carol

Carol Jensen on tue 10 jul 01

This was a good description of American blackberries as I remember them,
being finished around this time of year.

The Danish ones have both the bearing and next year's bearing canes
growing at the same time; in other words this year's bearing canes will
die off this winter. No need to prune and it is also very difficult as
the two types of cane look quite alike!

And then of course they come later, in September!

Carol

Arial0000,0000,ffffThe
canes that are fruiting this year are finished. Very shortly the canes
will turn brown, dry, and brittle. You can cut them out as soon as the
fruit is gone, or you can wait to cut them when they are clearly dead, or
you can do nothing at all and let nature topple them over. If you are
managing a stand, the last option is least desirable as the dead canes
take up space and could later harbor disease.



Arial0000,0000,ffffMeanwhile,
you should be seeing lots of new canes growing in the stand. Right?
These will bear fruit next season. If you are trying to manage a stand
then it is wise to remove the dead canes and to thin out the weak and
spindly new canes, and leave some space (don't ask me, I don't know, I
just sort of judge) between the healthy, sturdy new canes. These will
grow very, very long this season.



Arial0000,0000,ffffAs
for pruning these new canes, here is a simple schedule:



Arial0000,0000,ffffIn
the late winter cut the main stem so that it is no more than 3-4 feet
tall. Cut the laterals (side branches) to about a hand's span. The bare
canes may look funny, but have faith. Very soon flower buds will form,
and eventually clusters of berries will form all along the laterals. I
have only one season's experience with actively managing blackberries
(more with red and black raspberries): this year was the first time I
pruned them and the berries were bigger, juicier, and sweeter than the
previous two years that we've lived here. Of course, one could argue
that other variables are at play: more rain, for one thing. But I have
read that pruning, by reducing the number of berries, causes those
berries that are produced to be bigger and sweeter. Blackberry canes in
other parts of our property, which we've just left alone, have not
produced nearly as prolifically. I'm keeping notes on this.



Arial0000,0000,ffffKnowing
when to prune is probably the hardest part. Pruning stimulates bud
growth. Too early a pruning could bring on buds that will then be killed
by a late frost. For that, you have to know your area and its weather.



Arial0000,0000,ffffAs
you cut out canes this summer, and when you prune next year (late winter
or very early spring), you will probably be envisioning how the stand
will look and how you will access it. Don't forget, as I did, that by
the time the berries are ready for picking, a zillion more new canes will
have grown up in your stand, all with nasty thorns, ready to thwart your
reaching for those plump, juicy, sweet berries in the interior. Back to
the drawing board.



Arial0000,0000,ffffFolks
on the caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, right about
now, of the new canes of *red raspberries* as a means of producing
bigger berries next season. I plan to try this with *some* of the red
raspberries, the black raspberries, and the blackberries, but I have no
experience to recount to you so far about this.



Arial0000,0000,ffffPat

Times New Roman

Arial0000,0000,ffff
Holly asked: "
should i prune back the ones
that are fruiting this year? Are they done forever then? How should I
prune
them?Arial0000,0000,ffff
Times New
Roman"
Arial0000,0000,ffff



<<<<<<<<

JT Thompson on tue 10 jul 01

As for what kind of berries you *shouldn't* eat, well, don't eat
*anything* unless you know what it is. Ask locals. There are
certainly berries which are very poisonous - for instance the
cuckoo-pint's glossy red berries are deadly.

Local people will be your best resource; when you get to know a bit
you can send berries to the nearest botany department for
identification.
--

Tony & Moira Ryan on tue 10 jul 01

Jenifer
As I don't come from your country, I wouldn't presume to advise you
generally of what is edible or not. however, I am familiar with
Blackberries which also occur in England (from which they were imported
into NZ) and they are both safe and delicious. I am sure you could find
a book or web site which would list the native berries in your area and
tell you which are good to eat (Quite a few people enjoy wild
harvesting). I suspect few would be actually harmful, but some may not
taste very nice.

They are extremely easy to reproduce, as many of the stems bend down and
root where they touch the ground, making natural layers that can simply
be cut off and then dug up roots and all. If you don't find one ready
for you, simply bend a tip to the ground and put a stone on it. It
should be rooted in a couple of months.

HOWEVER I should be wary of where you plant them in your garden as they
are notorious spreaders (as Carol is fond of telling us). Unless you
have a lot of space to spare you might do better to depend on the wild
harvest.

Moira

--
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata, New Zealand, SW Pacific. 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Time

Carol Jensen on tue 10 jul 01



Arial0000,0000,ffffFolks
on the caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, right about
now, of the new canes of *red raspberries* as a means of producing
bigger berries next season. I plan to try this with *some* of the red
raspberries, the black raspberries, and the blackberries, but I have no
experience to recount to you so far about this.



Arial0000,0000,ffffPat

Times New Roman

I, as an avid blackberry eater, look forward to
next year when you have had even more experience!

Carol

kathryn marsh on tue 10 jul 01

--============_-1217323726==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" >At 22:04 09-07-2001 -0400, you wrote: >> >>Folks on the caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, >>right about now, of the new canes of *red raspberries* as a means >>of producing bigger berries next season. I plan to try this with >>*some* of the red raspberries, the black raspberries, and the >>blackberries, but I have no experience to recount to you so far >>about this. >> >>Pat >> I would say that I always do this with raspberries except that some years (eg this one) I don't get around to doing anything at all. The top six inches of red raspberry stems don't produce anything much in the way of good fruit and whether or not it improves berry size to trim out the top it certainly helps to reduce wind rock and hence improves connection betwenn root and shoot We don't have the black kind here and have so many wild blackberries that I don't bother to grow the "tame" kind any more - sometimes get a few round the edge of where they ate the post storm ruins of my greenhouse but mostly I leave those for the birds and we eat the sharper wild ones. kathryn --============_-1217323726==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" At 22:04 09-07-2001 -0400, you wrote:
Folks on the caneberry list mention experimenting with tip pruning, right about now, of the new canes of *red raspberries* as a means of producing bigger berries next season. I plan to try this with *some* of the red raspberries, the black raspberries, and the blackberries, but I have no experience to recount to you so far about this.
Pat

I would say that I always do this with raspberries except that some years (eg this one) I don't get around to doing anything at all. The top six inches of red raspberry stems don't produce anything much in the way of good fruit and whether or not it improves berry size to trim out the top it certainly helps to reduce wind rock and hence improves connection betwenn root and shoot

We don't have the black kind here and have so many wild blackberries that I don't bother to grow the tame kind any more - sometimes get a few round the edge of where they ate the post storm ruins of my greenhouse but mostly I leave those for the birds and we eat the sharper wild ones.

kathryn --============_-1217323726==_ma============--

Daniel Everhart on wed 11 jul 01

I've noticed in my wild blackberries I've been blessed with (or cursed with)
on my land here in NC that they only produce on 2nd year canes so if you are
going to cut them down now may be a good time so that they may regrow the
rest of the summer so that they bloom in the spring and you get fruit next
year.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are
celebrities or Democrats
Lyn Everhart

Laura McKenzie on thu 30 dec 04

Pat, I might just send the nine year over there with the lopper and
instructions. He'd at least be able to reach the outer perimeter (about 20
feet of blackberries). Nine year olds seem to think that lopping is great
fun! He's pretty good at listening and following directions so I think the
blackberries would be safe : )

Thanks for the advice.
Laura

Laura, if you prune the canes in late winter the berries will be larger and
juicier than the usual woods-edge or vacant-lot fare. I know you have a
gazillion other things to do; and if the berries are on a vacant lot, why
bother to manage them? But, just so you know.....