@BegoniaArizona
Garden question. I have 2 volunteer blackberry plants popping up in a large planter. They must have come from my compost because there are no blackberries in the neighborhood, but I buy organic blackberries and any moldy ones go in my compost. Are the volunteers likely to grow to fruit? Or should I pull them out and buy blackberry plants at a nursery? #Garden #Homestead #GrowFood
Jun 20 at 12:34amWeb
Show threadVote for 🗽 & 👩‍⚖️ -No New Inquisition!20h ago

@BegoniaArizona

Blackberries, raspberries, grapes, etc all set fruit a.most entirely on 2nd year canes or vines. So what grow *this* year will not generally make blooms or set fruit, but if you can keep them alive another year, you'll get some fruit. The year after you'll get more. After that the original canes will die back, but the younger ones will go on, and new ones will spring up. IOW, branches make fruit on a 2-3 year cycle, then die off while younger branches take over production.

Show thread@BegoniaArizona19h ago
@MissGayle how about from seed? I don’t mind waiting for fruit but wonder if store bought blackberries will come true from seed. Some plant hybrids revert to less productive parental types. I don’t know if commercial blackberries are such hybrids. #Garden #Gardening
Show threadJohn Timaeus16h ago

@BegoniaArizona @MissGayle

If they aren't in the way, let them grow. But don't put much effort into them. They may be good, but likely not.
A lot (most) commercial plants are F1, and won't seed true.

If you want to plant berries seriously, find a local grower with plants adapted to your area. Get starts, not seeds. And if thornless is an option, take it.

Show thread@BegoniaArizona3h ago
@johntimaeus thanks, the voice of reason. I have some thornless options scoped out for next year, mail order from Raintree Nursery.