Ebony King Blackberry - Ask Extension
Hello
I purchased several Ebony King Thorned blackberry plants a few years ago. They have grown very but I cannot get any berrys to develop. They ge...
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Ebony King Blackberry #431149
Asked October 13, 2017, 8:33 AM EDT
Hello
I purchased several Ebony King Thorned blackberry plants a few years ago. They have grown very but I cannot get any berrys to develop. They get full sun from about 10:00 am throughout the day. Do I need a cross pollinator balckberry plant to help with the berry development? If so, could you give me a recommendation? I top dress with light application of 10-10-10 in the early spring.
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
We are not sure why this would be the case.
Our fruit and vegetable specialist was not familiar with this variety, but it should be able to grow here.
They are self-pollinating, so that is definitely not the problem.
Did you see them bloom? Let us know if you saw them bloom and what color the flower was.
Do you see bees and other pollinators in your yard?
Do you prune? When?
The sun is great, your fertilization is fine.
Have you ever had your soil tested? (Not likely a problem if the plant is growing well)
We'd like to see a photo of the plant and of the leaves and canes. You should be able to attach them right to this reply by clicking "Choose File" below.
Take a look at our page for Blackberries: http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruit-profiles/raspberries-and-blackberries#blackberries and see if anything stands out to you.
cm
Our fruit and vegetable specialist was not familiar with this variety, but it should be able to grow here.
They are self-pollinating, so that is definitely not the problem.
Did you see them bloom? Let us know if you saw them bloom and what color the flower was.
Do you see bees and other pollinators in your yard?
Do you prune? When?
The sun is great, your fertilization is fine.
Have you ever had your soil tested? (Not likely a problem if the plant is growing well)
We'd like to see a photo of the plant and of the leaves and canes. You should be able to attach them right to this reply by clicking "Choose File" below.
Take a look at our page for Blackberries: http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruit-profiles/raspberries-and-blackberries#blackberries and see if anything stands out to you.
cm
Hello
Thank you for your reply. The last soil sample I took for the berries was on 9-30-2015. PH - 5.5; P-42; K - 85; MG - 236: and Ca - 119. I remove the old canes in the spring and prune back the new canes selectively to about 3 feet or so. The blooms are white as I recall and there seems to be a good amount. Some berries start to form but are small and poorly formed. I don't think any actually ripen. I seem to have good pollinators since my garden and Montecery Sour Cherry trees have good production.
I have attached several photos taken today but the plant is beginning ready to go dormant and may not be a good view for you at this time.
I am beginning to think it is not the best plant for the area. I got it from one of the box stores and the bag it came in has Meridian, Mississippi. Do you have a recommendation for a thorned variety of black berry I could try planting next spring? I have had good stands and production of thornless varieties in past years but flavor was not too great. I understand the thorned variety has more flavor.
I will check out the link yoiu provided.
thanks you
Paul Kelley
Thank you for your reply. The last soil sample I took for the berries was on 9-30-2015. PH - 5.5; P-42; K - 85; MG - 236: and Ca - 119. I remove the old canes in the spring and prune back the new canes selectively to about 3 feet or so. The blooms are white as I recall and there seems to be a good amount. Some berries start to form but are small and poorly formed. I don't think any actually ripen. I seem to have good pollinators since my garden and Montecery Sour Cherry trees have good production.
I have attached several photos taken today but the plant is beginning ready to go dormant and may not be a good view for you at this time.
I am beginning to think it is not the best plant for the area. I got it from one of the box stores and the bag it came in has Meridian, Mississippi. Do you have a recommendation for a thorned variety of black berry I could try planting next spring? I have had good stands and production of thornless varieties in past years but flavor was not too great. I understand the thorned variety has more flavor.
I will check out the link yoiu provided.
thanks you
Paul Kelley
Hello
Thank you for your reply. The last soil sample I took for the berries was on 9-30-2015. PH - 5.5; P-42; K - 85; MG - 236: and Ca - 119. I remove the old canes in the spring and prune back the new canes selectively to about 3 feet or so. The blooms are white as I recall and there seems to be a good amount. Some berries start to form but are small and poorly formed. I don't think any actually ripen. I seem to have good pollinators since my garden and Montecery Sour Cherry trees have good production.
I have attached several photos taken today but the plant is beginning ready to go dormant and may not be a good view for you at this time.
I am beginning to think it is not the best plant for the area. I got it from one of the box stores and the bag it came in has Meridian, Mississippi. Do you have a recommendation for a thorned variety of black berry I could try planting next spring? I have had good stands and production of thornless varieties in past years but flavor was not too great. I understand the thorned variety has more flavor.
I will check out the link yoiu provided.
thanks you
Paul Kelley
Thank you for your reply. The last soil sample I took for the berries was on 9-30-2015. PH - 5.5; P-42; K - 85; MG - 236: and Ca - 119. I remove the old canes in the spring and prune back the new canes selectively to about 3 feet or so. The blooms are white as I recall and there seems to be a good amount. Some berries start to form but are small and poorly formed. I don't think any actually ripen. I seem to have good pollinators since my garden and Montecery Sour Cherry trees have good production.
I have attached several photos taken today but the plant is beginning ready to go dormant and may not be a good view for you at this time.
I am beginning to think it is not the best plant for the area. I got it from one of the box stores and the bag it came in has Meridian, Mississippi. Do you have a recommendation for a thorned variety of black berry I could try planting next spring? I have had good stands and production of thornless varieties in past years but flavor was not too great. I understand the thorned variety has more flavor.
I will check out the link yoiu provided.
thanks you
Paul Kelley
Our specialist highly recommends the variety 'Shawnee'.
'Choctaw' is also good.
cm
'Choctaw' is also good.
cm
