Cane Berry Primer

Blackberries, Black Raspberries, Red Raspberries, and Yellow Raspberries are very closely related with considerable interspecific cross bred varieties in the group. The simplest way to differentiate between the two is to consider berries with the core intact as blackberries and berries that lose the core, resembling a thimble, as raspberries.

Cultural Requirements:

Soil Mix:

  • pH of 5.8-6.8 
  • High Organic material well drained. 
  • 80% Composted Bark, 10% Peat, 10% Pumice.

Irrigation:

  • Plants benefit from regular deep irrigations promoting a deep root system, consistent moisture during flowering to fruiting season; can be kept drier after fruiting

Fertility:

  • Caneberries respond extremely well to balanced commercial blends of fertilizer applied at leaf emergence and blossoming time. [15-15-15]

 

Blackberry Varieties  Rubis spp.  [Rubus Rubus spp.]

 

Triple Crown: from USDA-Beltsville and the Pacific West Agricultural Research Service  

  • Semi-erect habit
  • Thornless
  • Large, flavorful fruit
  • Ripens: Early-Mid August on second year wood [Floricane]
  • Hardiness:  Zones 5-9

Boysenberry: Hybrid of Blackberry and Raspberry. Rubus ursinus x idaeus

  • Vigorous trailing Canes
  • Very large, non-shiny, dark maroon berries. Soft, very juicy flesh
  • Distinctive, rich, tangy flavor and very aromatic.
  • Ripens: Mid-July to Mid August on second year wood [Floricane]
  • Hardiness: Zones 5-9.

Marionberry: Developed by USDA-ARS at OSU

  • Vigorous trailing canes
  • Medium large round berry medium seed
  • Excellent flavor [Has been termed the“Cabernet of Blackberries”]
  • Ripens Mid July to Mid August on second year wood
  • Hardiness: Zone 4-9

Prime-Ark 45®: from University of Arkansas

  • Upright, well behaved growth habit
  • Medium, sweet and tangy fruit
  • Ripens: Early summer on Floicane wood and late summer on primocane wood
  • Hardiness:  Zones 4-8

Arapaho: from University of Arkansas

  • Medium vigor, semi upright habit
  • Medium sized sweet berries
  • Thornless
  • Ripens: Mid-July to Mid-August on second year wood [Floricane]
  • Hardiness: Zones 4-9.

Navaho: from University of Arkansas

  • Medium vigor, semi upright habit
  • Medium Sized fruit with outstanding flavor
  • Thornless
  • Ripens Mid July to Mid-Season on second year wood [Floricane]
  • Hardiness: Zone 6-10 Excellent for Sunbelt regions

 

Raspberry Varieties  Rubus idaeus

 

Heritage [ever bearing] Introduced from New York State at Geneva

  • Primo cane- fruits on first season wood
  • Strong, vigorous canes; do not require staking
  • Large, sweet, dark red berries with a mild flavor.
  • Superior quality berry, excellent flavor
  •  Resistant to most diseases.
  • Moderate summer crop with heavier, superior fall crop.
  • Hardiness: Zone 4-9.

Boyne [Spring – Early Summer Fruit Crop]   Developed in Morden, Monitoba

  • Very productive, strong, heavy, sturdy canes.
  • Medium, tender, juicy, dark red berries.
  • Ripens in early midseason on second season wood
  • Hardiness: Zone 2-7. Most cold hardy

Fallgold [ Summer – Fall Crop]  Primo cane- fruits on first season wood

  • Canes are vigorous, productive, and adaptable to a wide variety of soils
  • Large, conical, non-crumbling, very sweet, somewhat soft, golden berries.
  • Not recommended for extreme northern areas.
  • First crop ripens in July. Second crop from late August until frost.
  • Hardiness: Zones 5-9. Hardy to -25 degrees

Meeker [Spring – Summer Crop] Developed at Washington State University

  • Vigorous plant with long willowy growth. Very productive with long harvest season.
  • Large, thimble shaped, dark red fruit with high sugar content and good quality flavor.
  • Good home garden variety for eating fresh, freezing, canning, and processing.
  • Meeker is not particularly adapted to heavy soils.
  • Ripens midseason.
  • Meeker has some resistance to Botrytis Rot.
  • Zone 5-8.

Willamette [Early: Spring – Summer]  Originated in Oregon

  • Vigorous, very productive, and suckers freely
  • An extremely large berry, nearly round, dark red, very firm, and of excellent quality.
  • Lower sugar content, rich, and slightly tart good flavor.
  • Excellent quality for fresh eating, freezing, and canning. Holds color and shape well.
  • Requires well drained soils and mild winters. Disease resistant.
  • Willamette is a popular commercial variety in Oregon, Washington, and California.
  • Zone 5-19.