My berries are very large but so sour. They lock your jaws. What can I do to make them sweet?
Blackberries need water, 1 to 2 inches a week from May through October.
Are these bushes old? Blackberries produce 15 to 20 years.
Don't pick to early, they may look ripe, but if they are still shiny it's to early. The deep color should be dull.
Still to sour, try making them into jam or jelly and sugar them up.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/berries/harvesting-berries.htm
After planting the blackberry stem according to directions, how long after should you see some signs of life in the stem?
Usually within 3-4 weeks roots should begin to develop and you should start seeing signs of growth.
I have a really huge planter that I have put blackberries in. I have had it now for three years and only blooms on one branch. It is in direct sunlight. I turn the pot and water till it comes out the bottom. I cut the plant down to the roots and still only get berries on one branch. I use an organic fertilizer and sometimes put in coffee grinds. What am I doing wrong?
The container size should be at least 5 gallons or larger. The wider the better.
You should provide a trellis for support.
They will need more frequent watering, check the soil daily and water when the first inch of soil is dry.
Nutrients are washed away with all the watering so you need to provide a complete balanced fertilizer regularly.
A slow release fertilizer can be used in early spring, or use regular fertilizer once a month.
They will need regular pruning and training.
Divide the plants every couple of years, when they are dormant--in the winter.
This is a good time to replace the soil also.
If you see a white crust start to form on the top of the soil, give the pot a good rinse to help rinse all the built up salts.
If you have been fertilizing heavy in order to try to encourage fruit, the soil may have to much nitrogen.
You can try adding some bone meal to add phosphorus.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htm
What is the proper way to water existing blackberry bushes? Is it better to use the sprinkler or a soaker hose?
Personally, I like the option of drip irrigation or soaker hoses. This article may help (though it's for xeriscape areas, as far as watering anything in the garden, it would be the same principles): https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/irrigation-systems-for-xeriscape-environments.htm
My blackberry vines are bearing fruit now. There are such long new stalks that are growing by leaps and bounds. Can they be cut back any at this time or do I need to wait until next spring? Some are 8 or 9 feet tall making picking quite the chore.
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
When I trim my bush, can the really big stalks be replanted to grow a new bush?
You will want to give them a year to establish themselves before pruning. Here is an article on pruning holly: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm
I was wondering if I may trim blackberry leaves from my plants (upright, thorny canes) to expose the berries to more sun?
First-year canes, also known as primocanes, appear as stems that arch or trail along the ground. They usually bear large compound leaves with five or seven leaflets; they do not produce any flowers or fruit. Second-year canes grow to become what is known as a floricane. The stem will no longer grow taller, but will begin to produce lateral buds and flowers. Also, these normally have smaller leaves with only three or five leaflets. For information on pruning, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm