blackberries

haley1 · #1 04/27/14, 02:58 PM

Any thoughts on thornless blackberries varieties? Best flavor, producers, hardiness, etc?
Thanks

Old Vet · #2 04/27/14, 03:05 PM

I like the Arapaho.

haley1 · #3 04/27/14, 03:16 PM

I should add for northern climate

Callieslamb · #4 04/27/14, 05:18 PM

I have Navaho and Ouichita(?)....Navaho, I think, is the one with the long canes and hang down more. The berries are much larger and more plentiful as well as juicier and sweeter than Ouichita, which has more upright canes that don't need staking.

Both are growing well and I've had no issues with either. Just noted the differences.

pinfeather · #5 04/27/14, 09:02 PM

We put in seven Dirksen thornless along a cattle panel fence and use the fence to weave the canes through. The berries are huge (as well as the seeds) and the plants really put out, but the berries are also a little on the tart side. They make great wine, brandy, pies and jelly, but aren't super for plant-to-mouth.

I also found that we have to be absolutely ruthless about cutting them back or they will take over the whole property!

The thornless berries are right up there with the apple trees, asparagus patch, artichoke patch for the best value for the space used on our place.

ronbre · #6 04/28/14, 12:20 PM

make sure there isn't any rust on the wild blackberries if you have them in your woods nearby..

K.B. · #7 04/28/14, 01:44 PM

Chester and Triple Crown are good options if you are looking at trailing types (canes get LONG). They can be trained as upright types by cutting the new canes back to ~8' or you can just give them a long fence or trellis to run on. When they are happy, each can can get 25+' long

None of the thornless types are really cold hardy below zone 5 that I know of...

Thorny types do tend to have the best flavor for eating fresh. I like the blackberry/raspberry crosses best - Tayberry is my favorite.

TRAILRIDER · #8 04/29/14, 01:57 PM

I had a strange experience with my thornless berries. The first year they produced well but the seeds were huge and made the berries almost impossible to eat. I was very disappointed. I cut them all the way back...like mowed them down. Next spring they came on back. And produced well. But that year the seeds were less noticeable. And the berries were really good. Each year they get better. So its just something to think about.