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Growing Blackberry In Pots
Blackberries are very hardy plants that just grow on the side of any road despite weather conditions. They produce berries that are delightfully sweet and rich in vitamin C. Fans of blackberries create delicious and tasty treats out of it such as pies, crumbles, tarts, as well as jams. If you like blackberries so much but cannot find the time to travel for miles around to reach a farmer’s market, you might want to consider growing blackberries in containers.
Starting your cultivation
Blackberries like warm, sunny conditions. Blooms form from May and continue on for quite a while. Southern, low lying regions do not have any problems with flowers getting damaged by frosts. If you live in mountain areas, you have to choose hardy cultivars and opt to place the plants by the hillsides to protect them from the cold. Southern slopes are out of the question for the warm spring makes the cultivars susceptible to frost because the buds open earlier than usual.
Opt for the short-caned and upright varieties that do not need trellis support when growing blackberries in pots. These varieties are Arapaho, Apache, and Navajo. They also do not produce stems that have thorns, so you would not have any problems picking them.
The specifications of your pot or container
You can only grow one blackberry plant per container. Your container should be at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. A 15-gallon container is highly recommended for growing blackberries in containers for they are heavy feeders. You have a choice between clay pots, wooden boxes, or plastic containers for your blackberries. Plastic containers are better for container gardening because they hold in moisture well but do not hold in heat, plus they are cheaper compared to other containers. They are also durable and light-weight compared to other containers. Make sure that you have drilled several drainage holes at the bottom of your container. It will not help your plants if your container keeps in excess water. Layer the bottom with an inch of small pieces of broken terra cotta pots or small pebbles for added drainage ability. You can also use a fiber glass netting to help prevent small insects from crawling into your pot. If you live in a warm area, choose a light-colored pot to reflect the heat. If you live in an area that is cool, choose dark-colored pots to absorb heat. Decorative ceramic pots are often unsuitable for they usually do not have adequate drainage holes at the bottom.
Preparing your soil or potting mix
Growing blackberries in pots require a different growing media for healthy growth. Ordinary garden soil is not recommended for it contains a lot of pathogens such as virus, fungus, and bacteria that can harm your plant. A soil potting mix bought in your local nursery or garden store is best for your blackberry. These potting mixes available have a mix of pasteurized soil, perlite, vermiculite, or peat moss as well as compost for nourishment. The mix is ideal for a light mix that will absorb water but drain out any excess. There are also soilless mixes available if you do not wish your ground to be stained with dirt. Invest in good quality of either potting mix for cheap ones eventually retain water and become compact. Cheap ones often results in a waterlogged plant with poor air circulation around the roots.
Prepare your soil 2 weeks ahead before planting. Make sure that the conditions are warm to promote root growth. Your potting mix must have a pH of 5.0-6.5 for optimal growth. Use lime and sulfur to increase and decrease the pH respectively until you get the right pH level.
Cuttings
Blackberries are not cultivated from seeds. They are often started as cuttings from an established plant. You can get an established cutting at the local garden store. Dig a hole about 3 inches deep and place your cutting in. The root should be given enough room to spread. Cover the roots of your blackberry with soil just below the level of the crown. The crown is the point in the plant where the roots merge with the stem. Pack the soil firmly and water your plant until it goes through the holes. Afterwards, cut the stem to about 2-3 inches above soil level to force the plant to create new growth from the crown.
Care and Harvesting
Just give your plants enough water for the first couple of months of growing blackberries in containers. Once your plants become established, give them 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 fertilizers for growth. It would be better if you would incorporate compost to the soil by shallow-tilling the surface. This will give your plants better nourishment as well as prevent weeds from taking over the pot.
Watch out for diseases and pests that can harm your crops. Orange rust, powdery mildew, spider mites and stink bugs are but a few of the factors that can harm your plants. Keep them at bay by selecting disease resistant varieties, pruning off any part of the plant that has symptoms of disease, and removing any fruiting fluricanes that have already given off fruits for the season. Keep them healthy by spraying them with compost tea every two or three days. Water them directly on the soil and never let the leaves stay wet for a long time.
Protect your crops from birds when growing blackberries in pots by covering it with a bird-friendly netting system several weeks before the fruits appear. Ordinary netting will only harm the birds when they get caught in it. Harvest blackberries when they look full or almost swollen, in deep purple or black color. You will get the best tasting fruits this way for red berries are sour in flavor and not as moist and rich in flavor. Harvest by carefully pulling the fruits using the tips of your fingers without squeezing them. Only wash black berries when you are about to eat them. They must be eaten at once for blackberries do not store well. You can freeze them, but expect the flavor and quality of the berries to be compromised.
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