Blackberry Growth Stages

Crowns

• The crown of the blackberry vine is perennial. Each spring, a body of buds forms on the crown and shoots off multiple stems, or vines. The crown is also the center of the root system. These roots, sometimes called underground laterals, also produce buds, which emerge from the ground as vines.

First-Year Canes

• The canes that emerge from underground buds are called primocanes. First-year canes are flexible and have a soft green stem. Those wishing to do so should train stems to a trellis during this stage, when their flesh is still soft. These canes are immature, and will not produce fruit. Each cane will, however, begin to put off laterals, or branches. These can be trimmed back to 10- or 12-inch lengths in order to insure quality fruit and to maintain a clear path between trellises.

Second-Year Canes

• Second-year canes are commonly referred to as floricanes. The first-year canes will have thickened over winter, and will now be hard and woody, to support the weight of new growth and berry production. They may, before budding, grow as much as six feet tall, depending on the variety. Floricanes will produce buds on the ends of each lateral; these buds will bloom and bear fruit.

Third-Year Canes

• Third-year canes are dead stalks and should not exist in your berry patch. They are extremely brittle, and have no foliage; however, if your vines have thorns, those on third-year canes are most likely to break off and splitter in your skin or catch and tear clothing. To avoid this, second-year canes should be pruned off at the crown immediately after fruit production ends.

Other Management Tips

• Remember that primocanes are produced off of the entire root network. Look for new growth to emerge in undesired places near your patch, and prune off unwanted growth at the ground. Also, growers should be aware that as crowns age and root systems become more complex, stem production and growth will become more rigorous. As a result, you may want to cut primocanes back to a manageable number; eliminating primocanes will not damage the crown or affect future primocane production. Only leave as many stems as you wish to harvest from the following year.