✂️ PRUNING OUT DEAD BLACKBERRY CANES ✂️WHAT TO TAKE OUT 👎 WHAT TO LEAVE 👍PRIMOCANE AND FLORICANE 🍇

[@TheTennfisher]

Helpful to note that the first year canes (primocanes) tend to have compound leaves with 5 leaflets, but when they leaf out in their second year as floricanes their compound leaves only have 3 leaflets. This can help in identifying which canes to take out. You have some beautiful bushes Alan, well done!

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks, Howard!

[@gaylynnwilson8043]

Thanks so much for demonstrating. That answers my questions. I think I was worrying about it because my PrimeArk varieties are about 4 years old and they keep sending up new canes continuously which makes it difficult to know how long the cane has been around. But after watching this I am not going to worry about the time, just trim out the dying canes. Appreciate you! You’re a good teacher!

[@BIGALTX]

Yep... if it's dead... prune it out :)

[@merryanneadair-burrier3970]

I am so hungary for fresh blackberries that I'm cringing when you say you're just gonna leave some of the 'anemic-small' berries!! 😉 you are very blessed!!

[@BIGALTX]

I thought about that... sorry... 😟

[@gregleach5833]

I stayed with two plants purchased from Walmart . I keep finding new plants sprouting up several feet out around my prime ark freedoms . I now have 13 more growing after o dig them up and move them to a small container to get it a foot or two tall . I’m gonna end up with dozens of them which is great . I like your explanation of just taking out the dead canes whenever you see them . Can’t go wrong with that .

[@BIGALTX]

Glad to help!

[@JBW78133]

Thanx from the Hill Country! I've watched a dozen or more videos that had the camera 10 feet away from the plant. Couldn't tell one cane from another. After watching your video I feel more confident. When you trimmed some of the leaves I could see very well. I planted a Ouachita, Kiowa, Arapaho & Navajo earlier this year. The Kiowa produced a few nice berries, none of the others did. With all the growth this year I should be loaded next year.

[@BIGALTX]

Glad it helped... and Yes, you should be loaded next year! 👍😎

[@kk5sc]

Thanks for the education! We have started growing blackberries at our East Texas property and find your videos are well-timed to our needs!

[@BIGALTX]

Glad to help! Where in ETX are you?

[@kk5sc]

@@BIGALTX - Near Rusk, in Cherokee County

[@rogerscheuermann4409]

I hope you have time this winter to develop a pamphlet that tells exactly what to do and when to do something to the blackberries.... it would be so helpful.... I have 6 containers with blackberries, they have grown so much in 1 year. Greatly appreciate your time and knowledge and helpful tips. 😅

[@BIGALTX]

I hope so too! That's the plan 😎

[@RESlusher]

I planted three Arapaho and three Natchez that I picked up from the big box store that starts with H D in raised beds. I just harvested the last of this year's crop. I got about 3/4 of a gallon zip-top bag. Already looking up blackberry crisp recipes! :)

[@BIGALTX]

Fantastic!

[@matthewfarrell317]

This was awesome thank you, during lockdown last year we planted a food forest in the front yard, and I put 12 different varieties of brambles as a front fence........ and none of them told me if they were primocane or floricane ones and they have pretty much merged into one. I should point out, that we were getting raspberries into the first week of winter here, if it wasn't for the first winter storm (rain/wind) I would think we would still be getting 1-2 a day.

[@BIGALTX]

I bet that bramble fence looks really nice! 😎

[@CaryHaven]

Thank you so much for this. This has been incredibly helpful as I have both types of blackberries and was having a rather difficult time visualizing it in my mind. I will be checking out your other videos!

[@BIGALTX]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaquitamaynard7326]

Thank you so much for your explaining this cutting back process. It's my first year.

[@BIGALTX]

I'm so glad to help!

[@barbsc99]

I can't wait to see how mine look NEXT year! :P Thanks for all your help.

[@BIGALTX]

You bet!

[@oksanakendle6287]

Thank you for making it clear

[@BIGALTX]

Ha ha ha… Well, I hope I did anyway. Thanks for watching!

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Thanks for the clear explanation! Your berries seem to be doing great in the containers compared to the big problems you had when they were in the ground. I would like to do the same, but I’m wondering if my climate is too cold and they might not make it through the winter.

[@BIGALTX]

Check with local nurseries. If THEY keep blackberries in containers over winter YOU should be able to also. Especially since these containers are much larger and should afford even more insulation than small pots. Ask a nursery guy and see what they think. Hope that helps.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

TexasPrepper2 Good idea! I will, thank you. You’re doing a great job!

[@georgeroberson4793]

My next door Neighbor has been sharing his blackberry on his fence but he passed last year in June so I work them for his wife but she is going to sell the property, she has told me i could have them or cutting off them to plant, my question is when is the time to get cuttings and dig up the little one, i live in zone 8b in Cameron,TX. I like your channel you explain thing , i have watch and have learned a lot, I want to plant more and more in containers thank you

[@BIGALTX]

I haven't had much success propagating cuttings in summer (Zone 8). Too hot But... If you can dig them up.... I would dig a LOT of them, prune the tops pretty drastically, and put them in pots. Then I would plant them where you want them in the late fall

[@krismoriah72]

I havent seen any information on the wicking tubs during winter. If it freezes in your area can you still leave plants in the pot? Do the roots freeze? Talking about blackberries.

[@BIGALTX]

I just answered that for another comment, so if you don't mind, I'll just copy and paste that answer... Check with local nurseries. If THEY keep blackberries in containers over winter YOU should be able to also. Especially since these containers are much larger and should afford even more insulation than small pots. Ask a nursery guy and see what they think. Hope that helps.

[@gettingoutdoors6101]

Would love to come check out your blackberry set up as I'm going to go with wicking barrel blackberry patch this fall. Found my free source of cattle tubs.

[@BIGALTX]

Where did you find your tubs?

[@gettingoutdoors6101]

@@BIGALTX local rancher had about 20 of them laying around that he was more than willing to get rid of.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

Very cool

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks!

[@DV-ol7vt]

I’m going to try blackberries in wicking tubs next year. What are you fertilizing with? And how often? Those look better than what I have in the ground!

[@BIGALTX]

I think you'll really like the berries in containers. I fertilize every 10 days with 20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer from Hoss Tools: LEARN MORE ABOUT HOSS TOOLS HERE: bit.ly/homesteadadvisor

[@Buttergirla]

Thanks 4 this video!

[@BIGALTX]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaquitamaynard7326]

Does your container have drain holes in bottom? I see the Drip water system, which I will try to do also. I live down in the bottom of south ga. Zone 8

[@BIGALTX]

It has a weep hole in the side of it near the bottom Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ2kgJ9vbpqGl7M Here's how to make them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jYf6KNhZ2SotU Here's my "Hybrid" tub: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJLHeXWXo5xgeKs

[@happytomeetyou.3027]

Thanks for the great videos! What prima cane do you like the best right now?

[@BIGALTX]

I like the Prime Ark Freedom berries... BUT... They didn't do well in the hard freeze TX got in February. Anyone in a cold climate should probably not plant them :)

[@happytomeetyou.3027]

@@BIGALTX I am further South than you, Zone 9A and yes a 300-year freeze will do it every time! I have not found any recommendation on Primo cane varieties in my zone. Maybe I should just try them out?

[@BIGALTX]

@@happytomeetyou.3027 I really like them. And, the freeze didn't kill them, but it did put the hurt on 'em: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYO3gWWwrLihppo They are coming back strong now, so the fall crop and next year's spring crop should be good :)

[@jeffreyverry8467]

What Variety are your blackberries. I am attempting to tame, over an Acre of Wild Blackberries. Mine have Primocanes and Floracanes. I have topped most of the Primocanes to about 5 feet. There are berries everywhere they should ripen in the next 2 Weeks. I want to set up rows supported by metal wire but before harvesting the berries and removing the floracanes I cannot decide on where my rows go. Is 6 feet enough between rows?

[@BIGALTX]

Absolutely not. They will begin to grow together because they spread from the roots. I always say no less than 12 feet between rows and 15 feet is best (if they are planted in the ground).

[@aroundmichaelsbarn601]

Great explanation thank you! I've been wrong in my thinking (as usual). I thought my Arapaho variety were primocane fruiting...they are not. I need to add some Prime Ark Freedom next year. Thanks again.

[@BIGALTX]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GodlessGardener]

Do you compost your dead plants? I usually put mine into the compost tumbler or compost pile.

[@BIGALTX]

Some I do.... but not if they look diseased.

[@garyepstein8764]

I have freedom canes and in august the berries were red and then suddenly they looked awful and shriveled up. I was told that fruit flies may have laid their eggs on the berries and gave rise to larval worms which attracted birds which ate them up. Did this ever happen to you? What should I do?

[@BIGALTX]

I do have occasion that my berries will look like that. They will be nice, red berries, and then wind up shriveling up. It doesn’t happen to the whole entire crop for me, but it does happen on occasion. Not really sure what that might be though. I’ve never heard the “flies laying eggs on them” theory before… so not sure.

[@debbie0greer164]

I planted a thornless blackberry just last year. Nothing was produced. This year it has grown a few feet. Will these fruit next year? So I have nothing to cut correct? Thank you for your videos!!

[@BIGALTX]

Yes, the canes that grew THIS year should fruit NEXT year. I'm wondering why no fruit was produced for you this year. Was it "bare root"?

[@debbie0greer164]

TexasPrepper2 yes, it was a bare root. That must be why? Thank you so much for your answer!!

[@Dionne2U2]

Hello, my blackberries are looking beautiful this year following your advice. I have a question though, some of the canes break off at the joint. I'm losing 2-4 limbs off my bushes that are loaded with berries. Is this common. I've googled and nothing comes up. I do have multch around them and I pulled that all away from the plants. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong or what the issue could be? Thanks so much!

[@BIGALTX]

It does happen, but not very often to me. However, I have mine tied on a trellis. If you’re not using a trellis, you certainly should. It really helps support the plants. Especially when they get heavy with berries.

[@Dionne2U2]

@@BIGALTX thank you! I'll do some support for them.

[@susanmoses5067]

Is it too late to prune the runners on my blackberries? Life happened and I have alot of runners about 6-8 ft long. That probably explains why I got almost no berries this fall. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@BIGALTX]

I’m not sure if pruning them right now would do any harm or good. Unless you’re in the very deep south, they are probably going dormant now, so if you prune them, they’re not gonna get much growth out of them on the laterals. I guess at this point, I would just leave them, let them fruit in the spring, and then, when those canes die, prune them completely out. I do understand getting behind on it. I do that myself sometimes.

[@susanmoses5067]

I'm in central Texas...they are just sooooo long. ugh. @@BIGALTX

[@susanmoses5067]

I have about 8 Prime ark Freedoms that are producing like crazy, and just ordered 5 more. Big ole berries. But, they didn't produce at all last year, even tho I planted in April. I've watched all your pruning videos, and I have a bunch of dead branches and leaves all up in there. Should I just prune all those out, Then when these canes finish producing make sure they're last years and take them out? I've already gotten about three gallons of berries and they're still loaded. I also believe I might have some kinda fungus or mold. Which copper spray do you recommend if you don't mind me asking. Thanks. Love all the videos. Very helpful!

[@BIGALTX]

Yes, if you KNOW they are the dead canes, you can prune them out. As far as the NEW canes, the primocanes, let them grow till they are the height you want ( i like about 4' ) then pinch the tops off. I use LiquaCop: Amazon: amzn.to/44QecBk Or... HOSS has it too. Here's my associate link to Hoss: bit.ly/homesteadadvisor

[@susanmoses5067]

@@BIGALTX Thanks so much for all the great info. Looks like I just have alot of dead leaves and some stems, not actual dead canes. So, I took those out, but I really think I have something icky going on. Order the LiquiCop, but I'm guessing I need to wait until it's finished with fruiting. Do you ever use Neem for insects? I've found a few beetles in there.

[@BIGALTX]

@@susanmoses5067 I"ve used NEEM on fruit trees but not on blackberries Not sure, but it might be ok... just read the label I have very little trouble with insects on my berries, or maybe I just ignore them I'm not sure if beetles would be harmful, but again, do some research into it because I've never had to deal with them

[@susanmoses5067]

@@BIGALTX Well I'm gonna try Neem because they are covered up in stink bugs. Yuk. I'll let you know how that pans out. :) Thanks for replying, I appreciate you responding. I'm in Central Tx by the way, just north of Austin.

[@aaronbarrios6236]

Is it to late to plant some Prime-Ark Freedom plants in zone 9a or should I wait until December or January to plant

[@BIGALTX]

I would wait. Heat is tough on any new transplant.

[@lindasands1433]

What about the tops?

[@BIGALTX]

I have several pruning videos that address that. Here's my Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLutBw50GI1zw9M4UxWAN3n9yeJ_WYS8TD

[@lindasands1433]

@@BIGALTX thanks. I pruned yesterday & hope for the best

[@karenhearn1391]

I live outside of San Antonio. When is the best time to plant blackberries?

[@BIGALTX]

I would say November or December. Wait till it cools off a LOT!

[@karenhearn1391]

TexasPrepper2 thank you!! I really like your videos

[@TacklingTheGiants]

@@BIGALTX Do you have to worry about protecting them from freezing?

[@BIGALTX]

@@TacklingTheGiants No. I'm going to try to have a video about that in the next week or 2. Stick around :)

[@TacklingTheGiants]

@@BIGALTX awesome thanks!

[@perrypippenger374]

Thank you for the videos! What fertilizer do you use N-P-K ? Water soluable or slow release ? I have not had luck with black berry's here in the north east Texas, I have not grew them in the wicking buckets either, going to start this fall. The line that runs across the top of the wicking buckets is that a drip irragation line or for fertilizer ? Thanks in advance for your time !

[@BIGALTX]

I use 20-20-20 water soluble every 10 days during the growing season. I get it from Hoss Tools: bit.ly/homesteadadvisor Yes... drip irrigation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3imk4J5icR8d6M

[@kansasgardener5844]

So, do they stop producing when it gets hot. I was going to try caddo here in zone 6a but with the freezes and summer heat, I'm not sure they would produce much?

[@BIGALTX]

This variety loves the heat, but not very cold. You need to make sure you get a variety that is right for your area and zone.

[@kansasgardener5844]

@BIGALTX I just received ouachita and twilight. Might try Natches and Prime Ark Freedom also. I did see a video where someone is growing paf in my zone and they like them. Although we had a mild winter last year. If one grows paf in pots, could they be cut off and moved to a garage for winter? Guess what I'm asking is, would they still produce a crop the next season if they were pruned off completely since they produce 2 crops? Would the canes grow back and produce a fall crop? Just a thought I had.

[@BIGALTX]

@@kansasgardener5844 If I were going to move them in for the winter, I wouldn't prune them off to the ground. I'd prune them at about 3 feet. At that height, they should be manageable enough to move them around. I'd NEVER prune them down to the ground. In my opinion, there's just never any reason to do so.

[@kansasgardener5844]

@BIGALTX I was just asking because I'm thinking about growing 4 paf in plastic tubs. We can have really cold winters, so I thought I might move them into my garage if I see we are about to get really cold temps. I was watching a video from Kentucky State University on primocane blackberries, and they cut theirs down to about 6" tall in the spring? So if I cut them, I will only have a primocane crop, correct? Thank you for all the information.

[@BIGALTX]

@@kansasgardener5844 The only reason I would cut mine back to 6" in the spring is if they were killed by a harsh winter. You are losing your entire spring crop of berries... IF... the canes survived the winter

[@chewlah]

I literally came to see if I was the only person that 100% hears Matthew McConaughey

[@BIGALTX]

Hahaha... I get that from someone every week or 2. He was raised about 40 miles from where I was... 👍😎

[@iamthewelcher]

How come ya wouldn't just stick em in the ground?

[@BIGALTX]

Been there, done that. I had 700 feet of blackberries in the ground at one point. I like raising them in containers better.

[@TEXASdaughter]

Cut the leaves off first so we can see the dead canes.

[@BIGALTX]

Yep.. I thought about that when I was editing the video. It could have been better... sorry

[@jloden8873]

Your video is confusing

[@BIGALTX]

No, I don’t think so. I cover just about every aspect of it. Many of the comments will show you most folks found it very helpful.