Blackberry - Reuben - Help needed

[Losos]

Hi everyone

My Reuben Blackberry is in a pot, it was doing OK early in the year (six or more shoots) and (being a primocane) I thought I might get some fruit in the Autumn.

Then disaster struck, I was unable to water it in May and most of June, all six shoots died and it looked like it had snuffed it

But I cut everything back and now some new shoots are forming, I now have a place I could put it in the ground and think it will be much better off than in a pot..

So my question is - What time of year should I take it out of the pot and plant it in the ground, would that be now ?or in the Autumn ? or in Winter ?

[veggiechicken]

In my book, its whenever its convenient, especially if its now.
Others may say differently, but, if it stays in its pot, you may be unable to water it again and it'll be RIP Reuben.

[Scarlet]

I'd put it in now and keep it well watered.

[Losos]

VC & Scarlet - I'm no expert but I think I read somewhere that all the 'bramble' family are tough so my thoughts were veering to the 'Do it now' theme, so thanks for your replies.

I won't give details (Medical) so there is a possibilty I might not be able to water again in the comming months. If the poor old thing had a second draught that really would be 'goodbye Reuben'

[veggiechicken]

Wishing you and Reuben good health, Losos.

[Snadger]

Potted plants can be replanted into the ground at any time. Its only bare rooted plants that need to be planted when they are dormant.

[Bluenowhere]

I’d say pop it in the ground particularly if there is a chance you won’t be able to water it. In the pot it will surely die in the ground it has the best chance.

[Losos]

VC Thanks for your good wishes.

To all - Well it's decided, in it goes now We've identified a good place, had to remove remains of an old Budlea bush but Mrs. Losos was able to do that (I wanted to do it but I'm still a bit weak)

It's responded well to the regular watering and like all of you have said it will be much better off in the ground. I don't expect to get any fruit this year but if I'm still around next year I should be able to sample lovely juicy blackberries

So will provide the occassional Reuben update, in the meantime thanks once again and hope all your fruit comes good this year

[Losos]

I don't expect to get any fruit this year but if I'm still around next year I should be able to sample lovely juicy blackberries

Just thought I would update you all, Reuben recovered amazingly after going in the ground, as it happens Mrs. Losos and I were able to give it lots of water during the dry spells and some Growmore slow acting granules. I was overjoyed to see it wasn't dead and when about six or seven shoots came up I was even happier. Then it started flowering and there are some nice size fruits but they are not ripening. We are now almost in November. I have a suspicion that lack of sunshine means they will never ripen - what do you guys & gals think :?:

It's not a big deal if the fruits don't ripen, I think it's one of these 'Primocane' varieties so should probably cut everything down to ground level in January, is that what you guys do :?:

[veggiechicken]

The advice from Ken Muir is to cut them to the ground in February https://www.kenmuir.co.uk/image/data....%20Reuben.pdf

[Losos]

The advice from Ken Muir is to cut them to the ground in February

Thank you VC - I did spot one nice big berry today, it's red, and there are few still green. I'll do what Ken Muir advises and cut it all down in February and tell you next year what the crop looks like. Only the one bush so will not be overloaded haha.

[Losos]

Well decided to cut everything down to ground today. The berries that were big and red / green in October never did ripen so all those shoots now gone and also newish looking ones so we will see what develops this year. One thing I can say is that it is doing so much better in the ground, I won't be trying pot grown blackberries anymore haha.