North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["del stubbs" <pinewoodel@hotmail.com>]

My illini hardy blackberries that got winter fried above the snow (as 
perhaps they should here) are showing new laterals. These are coming only 
from the few of last years growth that laid right on the ground. We had 
about 18" snow cover in this area all winter.

Problem is, to foster horizontal growth one has to bend them over, and they 
definitly don't like it....too brittle. I found this the same in the autumn 
bliss raspberries.

My idea is to use the 'Siberian method' were they grow even fruit trees 
horizontal under the snow, but the rhubus so far I don't see any practical 
way - considering how tender and brittle the growth is.

Any ideas?

Definition question: the blackberry canes that grew last year yet didn't 
flower (that are now sending out laterals) are these old canes still called 
floricanes? and this years laterals primocanes?

third question...I've transplanted local wild blackberries into our very 
rich garden soil....hoping to see if I can get bigger than pea size fruit. 
The leaves are all yellow, yet no other plants are. The habitat I took them 
from is shady, sandy, acid....the opposite of our garden, but the other 
berries love it here. I wont grow them if I have to re-create the acid sandy 
soil, but I'm not convinced its necessary.

Any clues on the yellowing?

Thanks, Mn. Del, where it will be a miricle to have 'knee-high-by-the-4th' 
this year (its finally dry and warm enough to plant today), but the sun has 
returned and things are just exploding, including the promise of a good wild 
gooseberry, saskatoon, and chokecherry harvest.

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