Bought 12 Prime Ark Freedom and 6 Poncas and planted them the end of Feb. 2023. 8 of the Prime Arks are dead, 1 is trying to come back from the roots and 3 are about 3' tall and one has a nice new cane about 2' high. 5 of the Poncas are 'alive' and have blooms and some very small green berries. All 18 plants were planted exactly the same way (soil mix, depth, fertilizer, mulch, peat moss, perlite, etc.); along a fence line 5' apart. I think I'll try over and use tubs this time. Western North Carolina. pH is a bit high but I'm working on that with chems. I don't get the impression it's helping though. This video makes me want to cry. 🙂
For me... the Ponca berries went crazy the first year Last year I was disappointed. Last year: ua-cam.com/video/q4T-zNb3288/v-deo.html THIS year, they are FULL of berries and blooms Video on the Poncas soon. Stay tuned :)
BROTHER i owe you a thank you I got some prime ark freedom berries growing down here on the coast zone 10b and they are thriving so far I appreciate your help from your videos you’re the man!
I received my Poncas less than 2 months ago. They were tiny when I received them and already have canes over 2 feet long. They are the most vigorous of the 5 varieties I have so far.
I purchased Ponca because of recommendation, I feel you are of our region’s most knowledgeable individual that being East Texas , South West Louisiana.. All 10 of mine survived just putting them in the ground. They are not busting out of the seams mainly because of my inability to take of them, due Hurricane damage repairs and a day job. But, I will get back to them. Great video.
I have to put up tellis for my 2 blackberries I just planted. SO GLAD I found your content as I wanted a homesteader in Texas in my zone & your content is so informative. Thank u Josette Tharp Montgomery County, Texas 🙏🏻
The one Ponca that survived the Big Freeze (bought from Bob Wells Nursery too) is growing nicely. It's about 3' tall right as of now. Gonna take your advice and cut it to inspire some laterals.
I just today have noticed what looks like a rust problem in my ponca berry plants . I have been so proud of the progress of the and was surprised to see the damage. I have a few other plants caddo and other from the U of A no problem on them .am I the only one?
Your blackberry plants look great! I'm in the central Texas area and growing Sweetie Pie, Ponca and Kiowa. I just received three Prime Ark Freedom plants a few weeks ago. I agree you should grow different varieties! I enjoy your videos.
UofA's Natchez and Oauchita blackberry variety are really tough to beat though. Of course you are at a warmer zone than I am. Do they not get too warm in those tubs? Thanks!
My Triple Crown Thornless are exploding with new growth and berries right now in S.Ohio. What do you think of bucket propagation? Is it a waste of time? I'd like to start a couple more patches on my 5 acres.
I kept up with your channel a few years back but missed you for awhile. I think the last I saw was along the time you mowed all your blackberries. I planted PrimeArk Freedom berries 2 or 3 years ago and have had some drawbacks but I still like them. I'm in east Tn. so in a different climate than you but I find your videos very informative.
I'm up in Scott County. Kind of right between East TN proper and the Cumberland Plateau. We just put in a couple Ouachita and Apache blackberry plants this year after moving up here from Knoxville; I'm curious to see how they hold up in the winter. It's a little higher in altitude and a little further north than I'm used to.
Thanks for the update. Please let us know about the taste of the berries next spring. I planted Prime Ark Traveler and Freedom plants this spring. They grow beautifully and produce huge, thumb-sized fruits. BUT. every berry I have eaten has been bitter. Hopefully this will improve next year, but thus far I am not impressed with the taste.
Make sure they are VERY black when you pick them. They don't ripen any more after they are picked. Also, mine seem to be sweeter this year than they were last year.... may be my imagination...
@@BIGALTX It could be that the plant is more mature, or it could be the cold weather you had. Lots of times various fruits come out sweeter if they get hit with a frost. Or maybe your soil in the containers is just "mellowed out." My wife can always tell in a blind test which tomatoes were grown in a brand new bed from which ones were in an older bed... the older bed ones are always better.
They are not dead-ripe until the sepals turn a dry brown color, and make sure the North side of the berry is not red-black. Also, bitterness can be a symptom of too much nitrogen. Raspberries and blackberries respond best to slow release nutrients. It is one of those few crops where the organic fertilizers usually work as good or better than the chemical kind.
@@justin1730 Thanks for the tip. I did over fertilize a bit. I will not fertilize next year. The plants are inground and have organic compost so they should be fine.
Can you tell me about the seed size? If the fruit is so large, are the seeds extra large as well? Are they hard to eat because of the seed size? Please tell us more.
I too live in the northeast and ordered 5 from nourse farms and 2 survived. They are slow for me and havent taken off yet but they are still alive in thr ground. Might be on the 3 year plan before I get berries. If they get to 4 feet I think ill tip root it to create another one. Got about 5 varieties so I have a pretty long season of picking. Cant wait to try the last "new" variety this year which was caddo
My PAF berries were killed during the June PNW heatwave. 103F temperatures were enough to sunburn the whole crop, right as they were starting to ripen. If not for the primocane crop, I would have no blackberries this year. My Ponca seem to be growing more slowly than Prime Ark Freedom, but my climate is mild compared to yours. I was pleasantly surprised by my Joan J. primocane raspberries this year. If they grow in your climate, I would highly recommend them. The floricane crop is very early, and the primocane crop is very productive.
What varieties have you tried since you mentioned raising in ground and containers and what is your favorite? Why are the advantages of containers? Seems like water and nutrients would be a bigger concern in containers? Also, wouldnt the plants more susceptible in containers since ive always heard you need to go down 2 zones, meaning if you live a zone 6 and grow in containers, you need a zone 4 rated plant.
The only negatives to containers is yes... any nutrients they get must be provided. They can't send roots deep looking for nutrients. But, for me... that is outweighed by the ability to keep them where you want them. In ground, they will spread out several feet from the row you planted them in and can cause problem. I haven't seen a "Zone decrease" issue. But, some varieties are suited for different zones, for sure.
I moved still own my old property. I am having to start over need to drive down and dig some of my old primeark freedoms up. However I just ordered some of these,
Depends. 2 or 3 would probably be good. You just want to choose some that fruit at different times if you want an extended season. Some folks like for them to all ripen at once so they can get it over with.
I've just gotten started with on-purpose blackberries this year; we went with the Ouachita and Apache to start. (incidentally, the fella from the University of Arkansas says Ouachita is pronounced with a SH sound like "shark", not a CH sound like "chalk", for whatever that's worth). Anyway, we have *plenty* of wild blackberries up here on our place in East TN, but I am plumb sick and tired of fighting through the thorns for tasty, but tiny little berries. So I'm looking forward to trying a few of these thornless varieties and seeing which ones do best for us. Thanks for sharing your successes and set-backs to help us beginners!
I use BM7 potting mix in these wicking tubs, but any good potting mix will do. You'll just have to do a search for the Ponca berries. Most folks are sold out. However, if you are in a hot climate, I would wait till fall to plant anyway.
I planted my poncas in February as well and they look totally different from yours? I bought mine from indianaberry as bare root plants. Mine are growing upright and have very short internode length. It seems so strange to me that they look so much different than yours?
I also purchased ponca from indianaberry and they are like how you described: very short internodes and tight leaf arrangement almost covering up the cane itself.
Something smells rotten in the state of Denmark. The leaves on my “poncas” look different as well. I’m so confused. I’m no blackberry expert but I don’t think we have the same plants. Dr. Clark talks about the shortened internode length on his videos so I feel like I have an authentic Ponca? What do you think TP2?
Compared to the Freedom berries, the internode length IS shorter. I would assume the length would be determined by the parent plant it was propagated from and that some do vary. My 2 pesos
It's hard to say. My tub berries are doing better than the EB berries... BUT they are 2 different varieties, so I can't compare apples to apples. I think the Wicking Tubs may edge out the EBs for berries, but I can't say for certain unless I plant some Freedoms in EBs. Hope I made sense.
I ordered prime ark freedoms, 2 for me & 2 for my dad. Mine are in containers that have a simple reservoir at the bottom, similar to your tubs but probably not as efficient. They do seem to work though because I have 2 older blueberry & 2 older blackberry plants in the same style containers & the blackberries consistently need more water than the blueberries every time & they're getting huge by comparison.
I would think most varieties would do well there. My blackberries seem to LOVE the TX heat As humid as FL is, you would probably want to have a good spray program for fungus: ua-cam.com/video/SwGG-Zb1RyE/v-deo.html
First year in town backyard garden. I bought 4 blackberry plants this spring, one being a Ponca. It is doing the best of the 4 I purchased. Getting ready to build your trellis this week. Thank you for your insights!!
Not sure about how much stock there is out there, but I have used: Bob Wells Nursery (use TP2 as discount code and get 10% off) Nourse Farms Stark Brothers
So far my recommendation is Prime Ark Freedom. They are so prolific... and tasty. However, when the Ponca's start to produce (next year) ... that may change 😎
bobwellsnursery.com/ But I think they're out. You'll just have to do a search on them Most everybody is out till fall (which is a better time to plant... in the south)
bobwellsnursery.com/ But, I think they are sold out for now. Most places are sold out I think. Best time to plant is fall anyway (in the south) There should be plants available then
Wicking Tubs: Here's how to get them: ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html Here's how to make them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html
I planted 10 of the Prime Ark Freedom berries last year. I used plastic 55 gallon drums cut in half, as I don't have access to any of the tubs like you have. They are going fine but could be better. We have been having so much wind a rain this year and it is taking it toll on the branches. I got the trellis up and it is helping a lot. 1 question that I have is what do you fertilize with during the growing season? I put some in the potting soil when I potted them and have been using 20-20-20 every 2 to 3 weeks. Is there something else I should be using? I am new to this and appreciate any advice. I live in south Louisiana, Zone 9B. Thanks
One thing I did last year (and will do in a week or so) is give them some 13-13-13 granular fertilizer. Scratch out a place around the rim and give them 2 TBS or so... maybe more. Then water it in. Try not to get it too close to any cane so it doesn't burn them. I noticed a BIG burst of growth in mine last year when I did this. I'll try to document this for UA-cam in a week or so. Hope that helps alan
Travis (Lazy Dog Farm) formerly with Hoss Tools has gotten away from 20-20-20. He said it was like crack cocaine for plants, a quick burst but not long lasting, if I understand him correctly.
If the grass gets too bad, I apply at about 1/2 strength None of it gets in the containers (roots, berry plants, etc) That's one reason I started raising them in these tubs
I just use the drip irrigation to fill up the water reservoir. The water trickles down and fills up the cavity. Seems to work well. I could have run tubes down the black fill tubes, but this was just easier. And, If I add water soluble fertilizer via a fertilizer injector, it seeps down through the root system as it heads to the reservoir 👍😎
I'm embarrassed to say I ordered 5 freedom plants from Nourse Farms fairly late in Early June and honestly, I have never gotten around to planting them. So...feeling like I've waited too late and they probably wouldn't make it anyway, I'm going to scrap them and order the Ponca this Spring to try. I am in Louisville, Ky. in zone 6b and I believe these may do better here anyway as it can get pretty cold here in Winter. Thanks for the info!
I live near Louisville and I planted the freedom blackberries a few years ago I started out with one plant and they have multiplied to about a 12-ft row they grow really good
Don't scrap them! Soak them in water and then plant them in a day or two. You might be surprised at how hardy plant life can be. Give those plants a chance.
Don't scrap them. If it was in TX I would say wait till fall to plant since our summers are so hot, but you might be OK in KY. The hard freeze killed a lot of last year's canes, but didn't hurt the plant (the root system). MY Freedoms are OK, but I just didn't get as big of spring crop as I should have because of freeze damage. But the NEW canes are producing like crazy!
My ponca blackberries from Ison’s are all dark purple canes unlike my other varieties. I am wondering if they are actually poncas. Your canes do not look purple in this video.
These are around 18 to 20 gallons. I have them set up as "Wicking Tubs" Here's how I build them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html Or my "hybrid tub": ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html Here's how to get some for free: ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
In my experience everything gives better cuttings in the spring, when the correct growth hormones are at a natural peak. The height of summer seems to be the absolute worst time... partly the heat, but also because the plant is just not concentrating on making new roots and shoots, it's trying to make fruit. So it's producing different auxins and hormones. I see a LOT of people saying they only take cutting from grapes, berries, fruit trees etc in the dead of winter... but I honestly think that originally started because they're pruning them back then anyway. If you watch you'll notice people who do that admit their cuttings take a lonnnnnng time to make roots. Cuttings in the spring take off a lot faster.
@@BIGALTX I have not completed all your blackberry videos yet, hope to finish this week during Thanksgiving. I have seen the plantings of Ponca and wondering between Ponca and PrimeArk Freedom which you think is the best? Currently, I am leaning towards Freedom, what great videos you have of them, wow !!!
1) I doubt they would survive (summer is not a good time... but I'm trying it anyway) 2) These are patented plants and can't be propagated for sale without permission. Sorry, alan
I made 5 gallon buckets for a wiching tub and it works amazing my fig tree exploded from a little stick to load it with figs already. I'm using 20 20 20 water soluble fertilizer
These are around 18 to 20 gallons. I have them set up as "Wicking Tubs" Here's how I build them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html Or my "hybrid tub": ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html Here's how to get some for free: ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
Bought 12 Prime Ark Freedom and 6 Poncas and planted them the end of Feb. 2023. 8 of the Prime Arks are dead, 1 is trying to come back from the roots and 3 are about 3' tall and one has a nice new cane about 2' high. 5 of the Poncas are 'alive' and have blooms and some very small green berries. All 18 plants were planted exactly the same way (soil mix, depth, fertilizer, mulch, peat moss, perlite, etc.); along a fence line 5' apart. I think I'll try over and use tubs this time. Western North Carolina. pH is a bit high but I'm working on that with chems. I don't get the impression it's helping though. This video makes me want to cry. 🙂
For me... the Ponca berries went crazy the first year
Last year I was disappointed.
Last year: ua-cam.com/video/q4T-zNb3288/v-deo.html
THIS year, they are FULL of berries and blooms
Video on the Poncas soon. Stay tuned :)
I put my Poncas in the ground in March and they are doing great. I’m in East TN also. Can’t wait until next year ! Thanks for the vid.
That is awesome!
BROTHER i owe you a thank you I got some prime ark freedom berries growing down here on the coast zone 10b and they are thriving so far I appreciate your help from your videos you’re the man!
Thanks so much for the kind words.
I think you'll love the PAFs!
@Aaron Ellis
I'm in 8b :)
I received my Poncas less than 2 months ago. They were tiny when I received them and already have canes over 2 feet long. They are the most vigorous of the 5 varieties I have so far.
Great to hear... and yes... mine looked like pencil leads... very small 😎
I purchased Ponca because of recommendation, I feel you are of our region’s most knowledgeable individual that being East Texas , South West Louisiana.. All 10 of mine survived just putting them in the ground. They are not busting out of the seams mainly because of my inability to take of them, due Hurricane damage repairs and a day job. But, I will get back to them. Great video.
Thanks for the kind words, neighbor.
I have to put up tellis for my 2 blackberries I just planted. SO GLAD I found your content as I wanted a homesteader in Texas in my zone & your content is so informative.
Thank u Josette Tharp Montgomery County, Texas 🙏🏻
This is a great trellis... and so easy... and cheap!
ua-cam.com/video/Xsnce7OiPjM/v-deo.html
Thank You for your videos! Very helpful!
You're very welcome!
The one Ponca that survived the Big Freeze (bought from Bob Wells Nursery too) is growing nicely. It's about 3' tall right as of now. Gonna take your advice and cut it to inspire some laterals.
👍😎
I just today have noticed what looks like a rust problem in my ponca berry plants . I have been so proud of the progress of the and was surprised to see the damage. I have a few other plants caddo and other from the U of A no problem on them .am I the only one?
I haven't noticed any rust yet.
You probably need to spray for fungus
Here's what I do: ua-cam.com/video/SwGG-Zb1RyE/v-deo.html
Your blackberry plants look great! I'm in the central Texas area and growing Sweetie Pie, Ponca and Kiowa. I just received three Prime Ark Freedom plants a few weeks ago. I agree you should grow different varieties! I enjoy your videos.
I think you'll like the Freedoms.
They are SO prolific.
Arthur Hernandez...how are the sweetie pie blackberry compared to your others.
UofA's Natchez and Oauchita blackberry variety are really tough to beat though. Of course you are at a warmer zone than I am. Do they not get too warm in those tubs? Thanks!
I haven't found them to suffer from the heat at all.
Blackberries seem to love the heat.
Sometimes they get a little fungus, but not too bad.
My Triple Crown Thornless are exploding with new growth and berries right now in S.Ohio.
What do you think of bucket propagation? Is it a waste of time? I'd like to start a couple more patches on my 5 acres.
If you mean allowing some of the canes to root into buckets... sure... that would work.
I've been thinking about doing that too!
My Prime Arks are growing better than the Triple Crown or Apache.
TP2 ,them Poncas sure are doing good.Where can I buy containers that size and bigger to put blackberry's in?
Here's what I recommend: ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
I kept up with your channel a few years back but missed you for awhile. I think the last I saw was along the time you mowed all your blackberries. I planted PrimeArk Freedom berries 2 or 3 years ago and have had some drawbacks but I still like them. I'm in east Tn. so in a different climate than you but I find your videos very informative.
I'm up in Scott County. Kind of right between East TN proper and the Cumberland Plateau. We just put in a couple Ouachita and Apache blackberry plants this year after moving up here from Knoxville; I'm curious to see how they hold up in the winter. It's a little higher in altitude and a little further north than I'm used to.
Glad to have you back Len!
Watched the vid. On U.of Ark. On these with Dr. Clark, he did say they were sweetest on the market. Good job T.P.
I watched it a few days ago and I think he said "one of the sweetest"...
But needless to say... he's impressed :)
@@BIGALTX let me be specific, sweetest of the freshmarket berries from producers I think. But yes any on a good year can be sweet.
Tubs about 2’ apart? For easier picking or can they go closer.
First year I had them against each other
I found they got better air circulation spaced out.
Less of a fungus and rust problem
Thanks for the update. Please let us know about the taste of the berries next spring.
I planted Prime Ark Traveler and Freedom plants this spring. They grow beautifully and produce huge, thumb-sized fruits. BUT. every berry I have eaten has been bitter. Hopefully this will improve next year, but thus far I am not impressed with the taste.
Make sure they are VERY black when you pick them.
They don't ripen any more after they are picked.
Also, mine seem to be sweeter this year than they were last year.... may be my imagination...
@@BIGALTX It could be that the plant is more mature, or it could be the cold weather you had. Lots of times various fruits come out sweeter if they get hit with a frost. Or maybe your soil in the containers is just "mellowed out." My wife can always tell in a blind test which tomatoes were grown in a brand new bed from which ones were in an older bed... the older bed ones are always better.
@@dogslobbergardens6606
Great insight... thanks!
They are not dead-ripe until the sepals turn a dry brown color, and make sure the North side of the berry is not red-black. Also, bitterness can be a symptom of too much nitrogen. Raspberries and blackberries respond best to slow release nutrients. It is one of those few crops where the organic fertilizers usually work as good or better than the chemical kind.
@@justin1730 Thanks for the tip. I did over fertilize a bit. I will not fertilize next year. The plants are inground and have organic compost so they should be fine.
Can you tell me about the seed size? If the fruit is so large, are the seeds extra large as well? Are they hard to eat because of the seed size? Please tell us more.
I don't think they are any larger than others, but really haven't noticed
I too live in the northeast and ordered 5 from nourse farms and 2 survived. They are slow for me and havent taken off yet but they are still alive in thr ground. Might be on the 3 year plan before I get berries. If they get to 4 feet I think ill tip root it to create another one. Got about 5 varieties so I have a pretty long season of picking. Cant wait to try the last "new" variety this year which was caddo
Let me know how the Caddo berries do.
They are supposed to be good
My PAF berries were killed during the June PNW heatwave. 103F temperatures were enough to sunburn the whole crop, right as they were starting to ripen. If not for the primocane crop, I would have no blackberries this year. My Ponca seem to be growing more slowly than Prime Ark Freedom, but my climate is mild compared to yours.
I was pleasantly surprised by my Joan J. primocane raspberries this year. If they grow in your climate, I would highly recommend them. The floricane crop is very early, and the primocane crop is very productive.
Sorry about your PAFs, but appreciate the info!
What varieties have you tried since you mentioned raising in ground and containers and what is your favorite?
Why are the advantages of containers? Seems like water and nutrients would be a bigger concern in containers? Also, wouldnt the plants more susceptible in containers since ive always heard you need to go down 2 zones, meaning if you live a zone 6 and grow in containers, you need a zone 4 rated plant.
The only negatives to containers is yes... any nutrients they get must be provided. They can't send roots deep looking for nutrients.
But, for me... that is outweighed by the ability to keep them where you want them.
In ground, they will spread out several feet from the row you planted them in and can cause problem.
I haven't seen a "Zone decrease" issue.
But, some varieties are suited for different zones, for sure.
I moved still own my old property. I am having to start over need to drive down and dig some of my old primeark freedoms up. However I just ordered some of these,
The PAFs are definitely worth digging up and replanting.
I would wait till they are dormant.. late fall / early winter.
@@BIGALTX Have you ate any of these yet?
@@Amyas80s
I think I got one or 2 dinky berries... not a good sample.
They won't start producing till next spring.
@@BIGALTX Cool im hoping mine come in the mail before next season. Keep us posted bud always love your videos.
Another great video, Alan . I am doing away with the 10 kiowa plants due to thorns .
Good choice.
I hate the thorns!!!
For the backyard gardener, how many different varieties would you suggest for best production?
Depends. 2 or 3 would probably be good.
You just want to choose some that fruit at different times if you want an extended season.
Some folks like for them to all ripen at once so they can get it over with.
I've just gotten started with on-purpose blackberries this year; we went with the Ouachita and Apache to start. (incidentally, the fella from the University of Arkansas says Ouachita is pronounced with a SH sound like "shark", not a CH sound like "chalk", for whatever that's worth).
Anyway, we have *plenty* of wild blackberries up here on our place in East TN, but I am plumb sick and tired of fighting through the thorns for tasty, but tiny little berries. So I'm looking forward to trying a few of these thornless varieties and seeing which ones do best for us. Thanks for sharing your successes and set-backs to help us beginners!
You bet. Thanks for watching!
Red bugs eat me up when I try to pick the wild ones...
What kind of soil do you use fr your blackberries and where do you buy the Ponca blackberry bushes.
I use BM7 potting mix in these wicking tubs, but any good potting mix will do.
You'll just have to do a search for the Ponca berries. Most folks are sold out.
However, if you are in a hot climate, I would wait till fall to plant anyway.
I planted my poncas in February as well and they look totally different from yours? I bought mine from indianaberry as bare root plants. Mine are growing upright and have very short internode length. It seems so strange to me that they look so much different than yours?
I also purchased ponca from indianaberry and they are like how you described: very short internodes and tight leaf arrangement almost covering up the cane itself.
Something smells rotten in the state of Denmark. The leaves on my “poncas” look different as well. I’m so confused. I’m no blackberry expert but I don’t think we have the same plants. Dr. Clark talks about the shortened internode length on his videos so I feel like I have an authentic Ponca? What do you think TP2?
Compared to the Freedom berries, the internode length IS shorter.
I would assume the length would be determined by the parent plant it was propagated from and that some do vary.
My 2 pesos
Are you leaning more toward wicking tubs or Earthboxes for berries ?
It's hard to say.
My tub berries are doing better than the EB berries... BUT they are 2 different varieties, so I can't compare apples to apples.
I think the Wicking Tubs may edge out the EBs for berries, but I can't say for certain unless I plant some Freedoms in EBs.
Hope I made sense.
I ordered prime ark freedoms, 2 for me & 2 for my dad. Mine are in containers that have a simple reservoir at the bottom, similar to your tubs but probably not as efficient. They do seem to work though because I have 2 older blueberry & 2 older blackberry plants in the same style containers & the blackberries consistently need more water than the blueberries every time & they're getting huge by comparison.
Sounds like you are doing it right :)
I keep trying to go to your website and I keep getting an error that says cgi suspended. Do you have another link please?
It did that about a month ago and I fixed it. Thanks for telling me it’s down again. I will try to fix it as soon as I can.
Are three any blackberry varieties that will grow successfully in central florida
I would think most varieties would do well there.
My blackberries seem to LOVE the TX heat
As humid as FL is, you would probably want to have a good spray program for fungus:
ua-cam.com/video/SwGG-Zb1RyE/v-deo.html
First year in town backyard garden. I bought 4 blackberry plants this spring, one being a Ponca. It is doing the best of the 4 I purchased. Getting ready to build your trellis this week. Thank you for your insights!!
Yes, ma'am
Glad to help, Shelley.
Been thinking about trying this variety too.
Not as big, not as productive.
But they are noticeably sweeter.
Where’s the best place to buy these Ponca plants?
Not sure about how much stock there is out there, but I have used:
Bob Wells Nursery (use TP2 as discount code and get 10% off)
Nourse Farms
Stark Brothers
I'm thinking about trying to get some this coming spring. And some muscadine grapes
So far my recommendation is Prime Ark Freedom. They are so prolific... and tasty.
However, when the Ponca's start to produce (next year) ... that may change 😎
Looking NICE!!😉😊
Thanks 😋
Ordered prime ark freedom. Waiting for delivery in Oklahoma.
Excellent!!
I think you'll like them 👍😎
Fire just got mine
OH NO!!
Hey your plants look great! could you tell me where you purchased the ponca blackberries?
bobwellsnursery.com/
But I think they're out.
You'll just have to do a search on them
Most everybody is out till fall (which is a better time to plant... in the south)
Where did you buy your Ponca Blackberries
bobwellsnursery.com/
But, I think they are sold out for now.
Most places are sold out I think.
Best time to plant is fall anyway (in the south)
There should be plants available then
Where can we find those tubs?
Wicking Tubs:
Here's how to get them: ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
Here's how to make them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html
Here's my "Hybrid" tub: ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html
Is there a problem with the soil in your area?
Hard, hard red clay
I show it here: ua-cam.com/video/Po9YSSLZKeU/v-deo.html
I planted 10 of the Prime Ark Freedom berries last year. I used plastic 55 gallon drums cut in half, as I don't have access to any of the tubs like you have. They are going fine but could be better. We have been having so much wind a rain this year and it is taking it toll on the branches. I got the trellis up and it is helping a lot. 1 question that I have is what do you fertilize with during the growing season? I put some in the potting soil when I potted them and have been using 20-20-20 every 2 to 3 weeks. Is there something else I should be using? I am new to this and appreciate any advice. I live in south Louisiana, Zone 9B. Thanks
One thing I did last year (and will do in a week or so) is give them some 13-13-13 granular fertilizer.
Scratch out a place around the rim and give them 2 TBS or so... maybe more. Then water it in.
Try not to get it too close to any cane so it doesn't burn them.
I noticed a BIG burst of growth in mine last year when I did this.
I'll try to document this for UA-cam in a week or so.
Hope that helps
alan
@@BIGALTX Thanks for your advice. I will get this done in the morning. Like your channel.
Travis (Lazy Dog Farm) formerly with Hoss Tools has gotten away from 20-20-20. He said it was like crack cocaine for plants, a quick burst but not long lasting, if I understand him correctly.
Yeah... I watch all his videos.
I'm doing some things different this year too.. but still love the 20-20-20
Do you round up around your berries ?
If the grass gets too bad, I apply at about 1/2 strength
None of it gets in the containers (roots, berry plants, etc)
That's one reason I started raising them in these tubs
Just curious
I noticed there is drip irrigation on a wicking tub. How come both?
I just use the drip irrigation to fill up the water reservoir. The water trickles down and fills up the cavity.
Seems to work well.
I could have run tubes down the black fill tubes, but this was just easier.
And, If I add water soluble fertilizer via a fertilizer injector, it seeps down through the root system as it heads to the reservoir 👍😎
@@BIGALTX Excellent idea
I use wicking tubs too.
Is this a picker type? I'm looking for picker free plants.
If by "picker" you mean thorns... yes this is thornless.
I won't go back to thorny plants. Love the thornless!
Good stuff! I'm gonna have to get some berries going on my place.
You'll love them!
I'm embarrassed to say I ordered 5 freedom plants from Nourse Farms fairly late in Early June and honestly, I have never gotten around to planting them. So...feeling like I've waited too late and they probably wouldn't make it anyway, I'm going to scrap them and order the Ponca this Spring to try. I am in Louisville, Ky. in zone 6b and I believe these may do better here anyway as it can get pretty cold here in Winter. Thanks for the info!
I live near Louisville and I planted the freedom blackberries a few years ago I started out with one plant and they have multiplied to about a 12-ft row they grow really good
Don't scrap them! Soak them in water and then plant them in a day or two. You might be surprised at how hardy plant life can be. Give those plants a chance.
Don't scrap them.
If it was in TX I would say wait till fall to plant since our summers are so hot, but you might be OK in KY.
The hard freeze killed a lot of last year's canes, but didn't hurt the plant (the root system).
MY Freedoms are OK, but I just didn't get as big of spring crop as I should have because of freeze damage.
But the NEW canes are producing like crazy!
@@BIGALTX Update on my fig jungle. Right after I asked you about whether the suckers would fruit, well BAMB little figs under evert leaf it seems!
@@dontaylor8451 GREAT!
My ponca blackberries from Ison’s are all dark purple canes unlike my other varieties. I am wondering if they are actually poncas. Your canes do not look purple in this video.
Just looked at them yesterday... they are pretty dang purple right now.
I think yours are ok
what size tub are you using?
These are around 18 to 20 gallons.
I have them set up as "Wicking Tubs"
Here's how I build them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html
Or my "hybrid tub": ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html
Here's how to get some for free:
ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
I absolutely love your channel. Look forward to each video. I live in Doddridge Arkansas just outside of Atlanta Texas.
Thanks for the kind words, neighbor! 😎
In my experience everything gives better cuttings in the spring, when the correct growth hormones are at a natural peak. The height of summer seems to be the absolute worst time... partly the heat, but also because the plant is just not concentrating on making new roots and shoots, it's trying to make fruit. So it's producing different auxins and hormones.
I see a LOT of people saying they only take cutting from grapes, berries, fruit trees etc in the dead of winter... but I honestly think that originally started because they're pruning them back then anyway. If you watch you'll notice people who do that admit their cuttings take a lonnnnnng time to make roots. Cuttings in the spring take off a lot faster.
Great info... thanks!
Are Ponca primoCanes? Thornless?
Absolutely!!
I'll never have another thorned blackberry on my place.
@@BIGALTX I have not completed all your blackberry videos yet, hope to finish this week during Thanksgiving.
I have seen the plantings of Ponca and wondering between Ponca and PrimeArk Freedom which you think is the best? Currently, I am leaning towards Freedom, what great videos you have of them, wow !!!
I think I would recommend Freedom unless your are in a COLD area.
They didn't like zero degrees F... at all.
They got hurt, but came back ok.
Can I buy some clippings
1) I doubt they would survive (summer is not a good time... but I'm trying it anyway)
2) These are patented plants and can't be propagated for sale without permission.
Sorry,
alan
I made 5 gallon buckets for a wiching tub and it works amazing my fig tree exploded from a little stick to load it with figs already. I'm using 20 20 20 water soluble fertilizer
That is awesome!
How many gallons is yours pots is?
These are around 18 to 20 gallons.
I have them set up as "Wicking Tubs"
Here's how I build them: ua-cam.com/video/9guNoWP8_ls/v-deo.html
Or my "hybrid tub": ua-cam.com/video/radHBan7-BI/v-deo.html
Here's how to get some for free:
ua-cam.com/video/SlAOl995SaQ/v-deo.html
Have you ever tried Prime Ark Traveler Blackberrys?
I planted about 25 of them in the ground when I had my berry patch.
None of them made it (gophers, and other problems, i think)
I planted 6 two years ago and they have not thrived like the Prime Ark Freedom
@@lindayoung6882 sad...