Planted some blackberries today. Pruning question. . .

[skeeter9]

My husband and I planted 3 "Black Satin" thornless blackberries today. According to the nursery lady, these fruit on last year's canes. Anybody have any suggestions on how to keep track of current year vs. prior year canes when I prune these things? I don't have a clue. . .

 

[Ridgerunner]

It will be pretty obvious. You can see which canes had berries on them from where the berries grew. This is one of those things that it is a lot clearer when you see it.

 

[skeeter9]

Oh good. Thanks for the info, Ridgerunner. I had visions of myself hacking off the wrong canes and making a mess of our future harvest! I will stop worrying now and just wait. . . .

 

[catjac1975]

You will see the difference. I cut mine back after fruiting to about waist high. The old canes will die during the winter or at least look old and of poor color. They can be cut to the ground in the spring. It might take a couple years to get established. The trimmings can be rooted into new plants. I just stick them in the ground and see what grows but I'm sure there is a more scientific way to root new plants. You can lay the tall branches on the ground and bury the middle. They will root like this also.

 

[skeeter9]

Thanks for the info, catjac. I like the idea of making a bigger berry patch with cuttings.