North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jfruth@tds.net>]

   Heron Breen gave me several varieties of blackberry to trial in my zone 
3, Minnesota climate.  One variety, 'Thibodeau' has turned out to be most 
surprising.  After I reported that Thibodeau wasn't able to survive my 
mildest of Winters (-25 F), I went out to dig up the plants to destroy them.
   All buds under the snow-line survived but all (primary) buds above the 
snow-line got desiccated in the Winter's drying winds.  Before I dug the 
first plant, I noticed little green dots along the stems.  The secondary 
buds, next year's buds, are sprouting.  (Deciduous plants produce two sets 
of buds).
   Well, it looks like Thibodeau will get a reprieve.  I shall wait to see 
if the secondary buds can survive a normal Minnesota Winter.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
For jams, jellies & syrups:
www.bberryfarm.com
(877)265-6856 [Store]
(218)831-7018 [My Cell]