Blackberry Plant & Mineral Deficiencies

Blackberries

• Blackberry (Rubus) is a sprawling bush—a member of the Rosaceae family—that produces tart, dark berries. Blackberries serve as a good source of food for birds and small mammals as well as for people.

Soil

• To grow properly, blackberries must be cultivated—or grow in the wild—in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. The pH must be between 4.5 and 7.5.

Iron Chlorosis

• If the pH grows too high, the blackberry plant will suffer from the mineral deficiency iron chlorosis, or interveinal yellowing. This is associated with a lack of many nutrients, most commonly nitrogen, but also sometimes phosphorus, potassium and/or iron.

Effects

• Chlorosis—insufficient chlorophyll—is evidenced by a yellowing of the blackberry plant's leaf tissue. Plants need soil minerals to produce chlorophyll.

Treatment

• Iron chlorosis can be treated by applying nutrients to the soil around the blackberry plants. Nitrogen and iron treatments are usually most effective. Avoid fertilizers with a high phosphorus level, which can exacerbate the problem.