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Top Questions About Blackberry Plants

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Questions About Blackberry Plants

  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    July 3, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    If the plants are producing healthy fruit, ignore the problem. It may be a genetic disorder or you may have an insect that is using your plant to pupate. You can try insecticide sprays, but read the label carefully.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    July 9, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    My guess would be that you may simply be picking them too early. Most people tend to pick blackberries when they are a nice glossy, dark color when in fact you should wait for them to dull in color before harvesting. It could also be uneven nutrients in the soil so that only part of the plant is getting the full nutrients it needs and produces sweet fruit. Apply some fertilizer to the soil to ensure everything is even all around. The soil pH should be around 5.5 to 6.5 for quality growth.

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  • Answered by
    markaz on
    July 8, 2011
    A.

    I don't know of any nutrient(s) that can be added to the soil to improve sweetness.
    Maybe you've already tried this, but whenever you normally harvest the berries, just experiment by allowing 1 or 2 of the plants to retain the fruit a couple of weeks longer [unless they become mushy beforehand] just to see if additional ripening time helps out. Most definitely works with strawberries.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    July 9, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Have you noticed any orange coloring on the leaves as well? Blackberry leaves that are heavily infected with blackberry leaf rust (which commonly affects these plants) turn brown, shrivel, and fall from the canes. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/learn-about-plant-rust-disease-and-rust-treatment.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    July 9, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Spring is the very best time to move them, followed closely by early fall.

    This article will help you to avoid transplant shock, which is what kills any plant that is not moved carefully:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    July 16, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It might be spur blight or even cane blight, but from what you say, it sounds more like spur blight. This article has more information on spur blight on blackberries:
    http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A3236.pdf

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  • Answered by
    Susan75023 on
    July 20, 2011
    A.

    Here is a good link:
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/blackberries/blackberry-agrobacterium-diseases.htm

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  • Answered by
    Heather on
    July 23, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The number one reason for sour blackberries is harvesting too early. If your picking them at a black glossy stage, that is too early. Allow the berries to dull some in color prior to picking. The soil PH should be around 5.5 to 6.5 for quality growth. Therefore I would not add lime or anything else unless your soil is simply too alkaline in nature.

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