How to Germinate Blackberries

Blackberries contain small seeds that can remain viable for many years. The seeds require multiple steps of stratification in order for the seeds to germinate. Stratification is a method of temperature treating the seed to hasten the germination process. In nature, the blackberry seed goes through a full summer of warmth and then through a full winter of cold before the hard outer shell is cracked and the interior embryo becomes viable. Germination of blackberry seeds will take at least six months before planting into a soil medium.

Blender
Water
Paper towel
Plastic seal bag
Potting soil medium
Seed flat

Instructions

- 1
  Collect ripe, juicy blackberries directly from existing canes. Place the berries in a blender half filled with water. Slurry the mixture for several minutes in the blender.
- 2
  Rinse the slurry with fresh water inside the blender container. Remove the pulp and the floating seeds. Retain the seeds that have sunk to the bottom, as these are the most viable.
- 3
  Lay the seeds on paper towel to dry. Place the dry seeds in a sealed plastic bag. Set the seeds in a warm, 68 to 86 degrees F, and dry area for 90 days.
- 4
  Move the seeds to the refrigerator after the warm stratification. Keep the seeds between 36 and 41 degrees F for another 90 days.
- 5
  Plant the seeds into a seed flat filled with potting soil medium. Cover the seeds with a 1/2 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist. Place in a well-lit area and keep warm. Blackberry seeds have a 50-percent germination rate. Seedlings should emerge in three to four weeks.

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