Q.What Are the Fat Stalks Growing Out of My Blackberry Bush
I planted some blackberry bushes last year, and they seem to be growing well; but the stalks are viney. We are training them to grow on a fence. There are some huge stalks growing out of plants that aren’t like a vine at all. Are thesefrom new growth or just a sticker bush growing out of it, and should I cut it out or leave it?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Depending on how it looks exactly, it could be a sucker from the rootstock or it could be a disease called witches broom. Either way, it is not helpful to the plant. Remove it.
If it is witches broom, there is not much you can do for the plant. Here is more information:
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/weeklypics/Weekly_Picture10-31-99.html
If it was a sucker, this happens sometimes and removing it should resolve the issue.
