UPDATE ON THE BLACKBERRY CUTTINGS - WE'VE GOT ROOTS!

[@fruitful7753]

You need the peek-a-boo cup system to check roots. Put a clear cup with drain holes with cutting in it inside a larger party cup to hold water. Then you can lift the clear cup with cutting in it, and check for roots without disturbing the roots.

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks for the tips! 👍🏻😊

[@redneckradtech1202]

I followed your video. I am in Oklahoma 7B, Took blackberry cuttings, pencil thick, 12 inches or more long, in February. Took from 5 Different types, Freedom, Natchez, Osage, Ouachita, and Ponca. Struck in a large wicking pot with potting mix in it. And nearly all of them are growing foliage and rooting well. Only ones that failed were very thin thickness. Thank you for this Idea. I couldn't propagate summer cuttings (only tip layering worked) to save my life. This worked so well, I cant wait until next winter to really do winter cuttings. Awesome, Thanks

[@BIGALTX]

Yep.. summer is a terrible time to try to propagate. Glad I could help :)

[@danielarmer579]

@@BIGALTX They are really making roots. I should have potted before now. The absolutely works Thanks.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Always enjoy your advice and references to Proverbs. Good way to start my day. God Bless.

[@BIGALTX]

Glad you like them!

[@rlbgardener6465]

Hey Alan, I tried to root cutting from my Triple Crown blackberry plants a few years ago. I think I did around 15 to 20 cutting and got only 1 that rooted and haven’t tried since. Happy gardening.

[@BIGALTX]

Time of year makes a difference Summer is a bummer for rooting

[@amsohn1]

Looking pretty good... I'll be seeing you next weekend. Cannot wait. Blessings 🌞

[@BIGALTX]

Looking forward to seeing you too!

[@movingforward4623]

Watched your earlier vid, have triple crowns, have 150 sticks in 12 pots. Used dip n grow, they are sitting on heat mats under lights. If only half root I'll be more then excited and busy repotting!

[@BIGALTX]

That’s amazing! I hope your percentage is on the high side and you have plenty of plants to start a nice berry patch.

[@마법의성님Radio]

The plants are beautiful. 🪴 🌱 🌿 👍😊👍

[@BIGALTX]

So nice of you

[@robertmcmeel5456]

Alan, it seems like the Prime Ark series of berries are hard to root cutting. Have you ever tried "air layering"? I know it works better on some other plants that are hard to root. Thanks for the update on the cuttings. Enjoy your videos.

[@BIGALTX]

I haven't done air layering on PAFs... and yes, it does seem they are a little harder to root. Not sure why

[@ravilmustakimov1327]

Hi. The easiest way is to cut the thick roots into short pieces about 2 inches long and sprout. Initially, they need to be frozen in the refrigerator to -2 C and kept for 2 months. It's the best method for primocane blackberry.

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks for the info!

[@hardstylzz5024]

Thats one lucky neighbor, all my tip rooting Travelers all work great in clear cups during the winter months, but the air layer didn't. gonna try again tip rooting after harvest around July.

[@BIGALTX]

Let me know how it goes :)

[@hardstylzz5024]

@@BIGALTX BTW give you a report on my tip rooting on blackberries during the summer with the new canes worked great 💯 percent took, gonna try cuttings in the winter time in the greenhouse with plastic wrap.

[@BIGALTX]

@@hardstylzz5024 Nice! :)

[@michaelmartocci5149]

It's been a while since I been on here still got great shows . I live in central Florida and I have the darnest time gettin them to grow and spread out and grow tall. I got all kinds of prime arks.

[@BIGALTX]

Hmmm... they should LOVE Florida's heat. Net sure what the problem could be

[@michaelmartocci5149]

@@BIGALTX well I keep trying thx for the reply

[@hunterrhodes2ss86]

I can confirm they are the only blackberry I’ve tried that loves our summer

[@jtharp9265]

They look like they took, That's a blessing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@BIGALTX]

👍😎

[@charleywalker2982]

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

[@BIGALTX]

Will do, Charley. Thanks for watching!

[@occamsrazor7939]

Thank you Alan.👍🏼

[@BIGALTX]

You bet!

[@Woody8168]

I’ve always had more luck rooting blackberries in water than soil for some reason

[@BIGALTX]

I tried that once with no success, but should try it again

[@jessecrabtree7953]

Thanks for all the blackberry vids. Mine arrived last Friday and are looking great. Question. I have them in 3 gal. containers. One per container. How long can I keep them in that? I have a huge oak tree that needs to be cut down where I want to place them.

[@BIGALTX]

I think you can keep them till fall in 3 gallon pots. Depending on where you are, partial shade might be preferable (like in TX)

[@ourlifeoutwest7912]

Looks like their doing pretty good.

[@BIGALTX]

Not bad, thanks!

[@olsonlr]

Trifoliate root stock drops their leaves in winter. Start easily from seed but seed must be fresh. Like in the orange fresh.

[@BIGALTX]

Good to know, thanks!

[@HarmonyHillHomestead1]

Morning neighbor! Went over to Bob wells site and the prime arc is not there do you have another supplier? I'd like to buy a few!🥰

[@BIGALTX]

I think most are out. But, I've bought at Nourse Farms and Stark Brothers in the past too You'll probably have to do some searching...

[@tracey1708]

Bought mine from Stark bros. Bought a six pack last year. They recently had a sale on them. They are doing great. Got a gallon of berries so far

[@quercuslobata3776]

Got my bareroot blackberry plants yesterday. Going to pot them up today. Do you cut your bare root plants back to the soil when potting or do you leave a couple of inches of the canes?

[@BIGALTX]

Leave EVERYTHING Don't cut or prune anything off at planting

[@articmars1]

Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me where you got your prime ark freedoms from? I looked at the nursery you list in the description but i didn't see them listed.

[@BIGALTX]

They are out and most everyone is. You'll have to do some searching online... wish I could help more

[@articmars1]

@@BIGALTX ok. Thanks.

[@billyjones8706]

I tried several cuttings last year , didn't do any good but I had some take root by tip rooting .

[@BIGALTX]

Sorry to hear that, but yes, tip rooting is a great way to propagate

[@humbledsparrows4687]

What do you fertilize the cuttings with? Looking forward to the 26th, registered today.

[@BIGALTX]

I don't use any fertilizer when propagating. If they develop and are repotted, then I lightly fertilize

[@hillmyrnarose]

that is wwhy my take picture of the different stages of my plants growth

[@hobbyguy3254]

Great videos. Where do you keep your cuttings? Do they need full sun?

[@BIGALTX]

Actually, I like to have them in partial shade. But, I will warn you that summertime is not a good time to propagate. At least, not here in Texas. It’s just too hot and they don’t have a very good success rate.

[@hobbyguy3254]

@@BIGALTX Thanks

[@ronestes2187]

I am trying to get my blackberry runners to root in pots near the main plants. The runner stems are turning black and not developing roots? They are Prime Ark Freedom plants. The weather has been excessively hot and I am keeping the pots in the shade. Any ideas?

[@BIGALTX]

It's probably the heat. Summer is a TERRIBLE time to propagate, even from runner roots. You might want to bring the next batch inside...?

[@TheCajunHomestead]

Nice job, good information.

[@BIGALTX]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bartsexton1652]

Question . It’s August here now 2024 , can I take cuttings for what has produced berries this year . I know that next spring I have to cut out all my old dead grow . Which is the ones that have berries this year .

[@BIGALTX]

Yes, I think that will work. However, summer is not a good time for propagating… At least, not here in Texas. It’s just too hot. You could certainly try it, but it might be better for you in the fall. It really just depends on how hot your climate is.

[@rubarrera]

Can blueberries be planted in wicking tubs? Haven’t seen any of your videos planting them.

[@BIGALTX]

I don't grow blueberries, but I don't see why not. Don't add any lime to the potting mix. BBs like acid soil

[@duanerosengartner3968]

I purchased two varieties of blueberry last year and both died within 2 weeks. These do not like "wet feet". So, either make drain holes lower than the 4 to 5 inch that you see on wicking tub videos, or bring the soil way up to the top of your tub, or both. These were 12 to 18 inch and in 5 gallon pots. Looked healthy when I started

[@lolitabonita08]

I found out that to have a better chance for cuttings to take they must be taken 3 days before 3 days after full moon...

[@BIGALTX]

Hmmmm... never heard THAT .. thanks!

[@lolitabonita08]

@@BIGALTX goggle gardening with the moon cycles...plus this system is very ancient as well.

[@ronestes2187]

I am growing blackberries in one of the hottest places in Texas. How can I send you pictures of my efforts to beat the heat?

[@BIGALTX]

[e-mail]

[@wadewilson5296]

My blackberries have yet to wake up from the weird winter we've had. I decided to try to propagate some blackberries in the meantime. Fingers cross I haven't lost my main plants.

[@BIGALTX]

Mine are just now starting to "leaf out"

[@_MikeJon_]

Shoot, black berries are a weed here in Washington state lol. Can't cut them back fast enough, they're everywhere and invasive.

[@BIGALTX]

I know, that's what I hear. We have a lot of them here too that are wild and invasive. These plants are "cultivated" varieties and are more desired.

[@_MikeJon_]

@@BIGALTX As far as that goes I've preferred the wild invasive ones to the cultivated varieties tbh 🤣 definitely why they're so widespread. Too dang good so the birds, bears and raccoons have a hay day. I tend to find some nearly the size of my palm when out foraging. The containers get full real quick

[@ralphpalazzola3236]

Idk what I do wrong. I have PAFreedoms and I can’t root cuttings or get them to tip.

[@BIGALTX]

Seems like they are a little harder to root. I've done a lot of other berries in the past that were much easier to root.

[@duanerosengartner3968]

Try putting cane tips into pots without detaching from the main plant. Leave for 4 to 5 weeks minimum. Use pots that drain well and water once a day

[@BIGALTX]

@@duanerosengartner3968 Great tip, Duane!

[@urnchy]

Alan, I'm long time gardener and have wanted to grow blackberries. I now have area in my yard available. Question is, is it too late to start cuttings? Zone 8b. What would you recommend?

[@BIGALTX]

I've never had much luck in the summer, but if it doesn't get too hot too quick, you may be ok Worth a try!

[@DeanFamilyAcres]

Why not just plant bare root or potted plants?

[@BIGALTX]

When you propagate your own plants, they are free :)

[@DeanFamilyAcres]

@@BIGALTX true. 😂 but you’d potentially be waiting an extra year before having mature plants and fruit. Right?

[@BIGALTX]

Absolutely. When I advise folks that are buying plants, I always say buy the biggest plant (tree, etc) you can possibly afford. It may cost $20 more, but will probably produce fruit the first year, instead of 2 years down the road., How much is 2 years of your life worth... 20 bucks?!? Not me. As to the propagation factor, yes it delays fruit a year, but LOTS of folks are trying to save $ (and learn new skills) by propagating their own. Those folks are probably not just looking for one plant, but MANY. That's why Propagating is so popular. That can save them a LOT of money.

[@petrag.4092]

👍🙂🇺🇸

[@BIGALTX]

Thanks!