Is it ok to train blackberries to run from one end of a trellis?

[TeaMonsta]

It would be helpful if I could plant a blackberry plant at one end of a trellis (the right hand end) and train it one way only (to the left). Any problems with this idea?

[Bigmallly]

I think ideally it would be better planted in the middle & spanned both ways but I can't see why you cannot start at one end and tie it in one direction.

[fishpond]

Providing you do not have new growth growing underneath old growth, shouldn't be a problem.

[TeaMonsta]

Thanks, folks. The original plan was to have it in the centre but if it's planted at one end it helps out with space so I think I'll give it a bash.

FishPond. I'll be tying the canes horizontally so do you mean that a new cane should always be tied above last year's and to move that new cane down one "rung" of the trellis to where the previous year's cane was after it has fruited and been cut back? Or have I completely misunderstood? Sorry to ask for a clarification but I'm a complete novice to this so I'd like to be sure.

[fishpond]

You've got it in one, perfect.
It stops rain washing fungal spores(cane blight amongst others) from old canes onto new canes--same with all Blackberries and hybreds.

[TeaMonsta]

That's great; thanks, FishPond. A bit more knowledge for me. Much appreciated.

[Alison]

Mine is central so I can keep last years growth and this years separate which makes pruning easier. If you do it at one end you'll have double the stems on one side so you'll need to train it higher to fit it all in and get the same yield.

[fishpond]

That's great; thanks, FishPond. A bit more knowledge for me. Much appreciated.

It is a pleasure.

[TeaMonsta]

..... you'll need to train it higher to fit it all in and get the same yield.

I see. Something to bear in mind. Thanks, Alison.

[Losos]

Hello Teamonsta - Not sure if you're still following this thread. Just thought it was interesting that in August I put a trellis panel on two posts about 5 foot high. I have trained four laterals on the horizontal rails of the trellis for (hopefully) next years fruit.

As I write there are no 'new' canes comming up but if they appear next Spring time I will have to decide which way to run them. Like you I want to conserve space so I might decide to run them above the old canes but it will be quite cluttered.

Maybe you could post again when you've run in the new canes next year.

[TeaMonsta]

...Maybe you could post again when you've run in the new canes next year.

Will do, Losos. In the meantime I'll upload a pic of the trellis....

[TeaMonsta]

Here we go...



3 x 3in./8ft posts concreted in 2 ft deep using 1.5 bags of PostCrete per post. Trellis wires at (from lowest) 2ft from ground then every foot.

Actually went for two blackberry plants planted centrally on each trellis. The shorter (western) trellis now has a Ouachita blackberry plant centrally placed (shouldn't outgrow the space) and the longer (southern) one has a more vigorous Ashton Cross planted centrally. Again, with its 12ft span, it should be ok (but I can always prune, if necessary).

[Bigmallly]

Is this a different plan to your original question TM?

[TeaMonsta]

Is this a different plan to your original question TM?

Yes. The idea to grow the plants from one end of the trellis was so that they could be planted in an area that wouldn't be trodden on. This would mean that the prepared growing site could remain free-draining and not get compacted. However, I now have a plan to overcome that problem which is to lay a stiff wire mesh across the prepared site which will take the weight of feet whilst the ground underneath doesn't get compacted. The mesh will be covered with weed matting and bark so it won't be seen.

[veggiechicken]

I was confused too as I could remember you asking about growing blackberries against a garage wall