Growing Blackberries in North DakotaGrowing Blackberries in North Dakota David Mettler 1 Growing...
Transcript of Growing Blackberries in North DakotaGrowing Blackberries in North Dakota David Mettler 1 Growing...
Growing Blackberries in North Dakota
David Mettler
1
Growing Blackberries in North
Dakota
David Mettler
Why Grow Blackberries?
• Healthy
• High level of vitamins and antioxidants
• Great flavor
• Fresh fruit, jelly/jam, and baked goods
• Poor shipping quality
• Niche market for local growers
Growing Blackberries in North Dakota
David Mettler
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Why Isn’t There More Production?
• Not recommended for growing in ND
• Harsh Winters (Zone 3)
• No hardy cultivars (Mostly ≥ zone 5)
• Traditionally biennial fruiting system
• Canes need to survive winter
• High start-up cost
• High tunnels
Physiology
www.slideshare.net
Growing Blackberries in North Dakota
David Mettler
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Growth Habit
thecitrusguy.blogspot.com
Rotating Cross-arm Trellis
Growing Blackberries in North Dakota
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Row Covers
Cultivar Differences
Growing Blackberries in North Dakota
David Mettler
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Floricane Recommendations
Cultivar Growth Habit The Good The Bad Plant?
Apache Erect Medium fruit Too erect, low yield No
Arapaho Erect Good flavor Too erect No
Chester Semi-Erect Great yield (>1.5lbs) Smaller fruit Yes
Doyle’s Trailing Easily trained Poor yield No
Illini Hardy Erect Great yield (>2lbs) Thorns, too erect Maybe
Kiowa Semi-Erect Large Fruit Thorns, winter
damage
Maybe
Natchez Semi-Erect Easily trained, large
fruit- - -
Yes
Osage Erect - - - Poor survival No
Ouachita Erect Firm fruit Too erect Yes
Triple Crown Semi-Erect Easily trained, large
fruit- - -
Yes
Primocane Recommendations
Cultivar Growth Habit The Good The Bad Plant?
‘Prime-Jim®’ Semi-ErectVigorous, High
production (up to 1lb)Thorns Yes
‘Prime-Jan®’ Semi-ErectVigorous, High
productionThorns Yes
‘Prime-Ark® 45’ Semi-Erect Medium sized fruit Thorns No
‘Prime-Ark®
Freedom’
Semi-ErectThornless, large fruit
Low number
of fruitNo
‘Prime-Ark®
Traveler’
Semi-Erect Thornless,
Firm fruit- - - No
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Primocane Growing Tips
• Cultivars• ‘Prime-Jim®’
• ‘Prime-Jan®’
• ‘Prime-Ark® 45’
• ‘Prime-Ark® Freedom’ (thornless)
• ‘Prime-Ark® Traveler’ (thornless)
• Tip to increase yield
• Cut back canes in fall and cover
• Hedgerow with T-trellis
teamrubus.blogspot.com
Spotted Wing Drosophila
extension.umass.edu