ned, fertilized, water regularly, full sun and had lots of blossoms but only little nubbins that are not maturing into berries. I had ph tested 7.8. Why are there no berries? The plants are beautiful and have tripled in size.
Japanese beetles are frustrating and require daily vigilance to spot the start of their season. I wonder if the mosquito netting kept bees from pollinating the flowers. Although blackberries are self-fertile, pollen still needs to be transferred from stamens to stigmas. Wind might be sufficient but your experience this year indicates it might not be enough. Some people gently shake tomato stems to get pollen to move; I've even read of using an electric toothbrush against the cane near the flower stems. Since the plant was decimated by last year's infestation it may have needed a year to recover. If you have never tested the soil, that is another potential problem. If there is a deficiency in phosphorus and potash (potassium), fruiting is affected. Also, too much nitrogen favors leafy growth, not fruit.
If you test through your state extension service, recommendations to correct deficiencies and annual fertilizer needs are given.
2 questions: 1. I did not cut back the bushes when I planted them. They appeared to have been cut back when potted for sale. Had grown some and had some frost damage. Will this stunt them in future? 2. I tilled the ground, adding some fertilizer, planted, then spread newspaper, then mulch. (I'm attempting to choke out the bindweed) Will the paper and mulch ruin the soil for the berries?
I recommend only fertilizing once a year for these, as they will sustain without much feed. Now, as far as cutting them back... These two are related, closely, and will have similar growth habits. They fruit on older canes. This means that you will want to leave a good section of the older, thicker wood for it to fruit properly.
As far as what you have done to the soil... this can be a bit of a challenge, as this can also encourage rot. I would suggest using dolomite lime, and putting some wettable sulfur in the soil to prevent any rot from occurring. One method to controlling weeds is to mix vinegar in water 1:1. Half vinegar and half water. Spray ONLY the plants that you intend to kill and try to avoid spraying the soil if possible. Here is an article that will help further: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
Our blackberry plant is young. Although supposedly an upright variety it has long runners. Some of the leaves seem to be dying. We have kept it watered, but a month ago we had a great deal of rain here in South Carolina. I think it could be rust, but unsure. The leaves eventually fall off. It is mainly on the more mature parts.
This definitely follows the symptoms of a rust. Here is an article that will help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-orange-rust-treatment.htm
Why do blackberry plants grow vines with 3 leaves and sometimes with 5?
Every plants will have some instances of 3 and 5 leaflets. This is the nature of the species. As the plant matures, you will see many more with 5 leaflets, but you should still see a good mix.
Of course, this can depend on cultivar as well. Some may not be bred to be as dense, or a broadleaved.
My 90 year old Father, remembers as a young boy, eating a delicious berry called the Dewberry that grew in the wild in pastures in SE Kansas. He lives on a farm near Independence, Kansas. I found some Austin Dewberry bush starts on the internet and sent him some plants to try and grow to produce some berries for him as his eye sight is failing and he needs something to keep him busy that is not too strainous. He is asking me how to maintain and nurture these bushes as they are putting out runners and he wants to know if he should stake them up, build a trellis to help them,basically the care and maintenance of these bushes. Can you assist us. Joannvoth@airmail.net. Phone number: 972-221-3001. Thank you so much for any assistance you can give.
The care of this plant is similar to all other blackberries, and raspberries. I am including 2 articles. One is on the care of blackberries, and one is on pruning.
Here is the article about growing blackberries: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm
Here is the article on pruning: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-pruning.htm
After planting my berries last spring they began to loose their leaves and the branches have stopped growing. Do berry plants go dormant in winter ?
Yes, they usually prefer a dormancy to fruit properly. They really like to have a period under 40 degrees for some time. You can find the chill hours for your specific variety with a google search.
Just got a thornless blackberry bush. I was going to just repot it, but maybe I should put it in the ground? What kind of soil does it need?
Use a good commercial potting soil if you are planting in a container.
In the ground you will need a loamy well draining soil.
These articles will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/container-grown-blackberries.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/growing-blackberry-bushes.htm