Blackberry Question

[Lumpy]

We have just acquired a masshoosive stawberry planter and I would like to put a blackberry in the top of it.

I know that there is a dwarf variety called Little Black Prince but can anyone recommend a variety that I can keep well pruned so it will drape down in amongst the strawbs, still give us fruit and won't become a triffid over night please.

[WendyC]

I think you are asking too much! Firstly when you say your strawberry planter is big, how big? Have you managed to grow strawberries successfully in one before? Only reason I ask is that from reading around most people seem to struggle to keep them watered just with strawberries.
Loch Ness is a shorter growing blackberry variety, but wouldn't work for you as the stems are stiff and wouldn't drape as you want. Hopefully some else has a better idea.

[veggiechicken]

I'm going to ask Why a blackberry?
You'd need a thornless one if you want to plant strawberries with it; they don't trail by habit so you'd need a way of pegging them in place. To be honest, even I think its a bonkers idea

[Potstubsdustbins]

Maybe not blackberries they tend to be to rampant. But perhaps a dwarf raspberry something like Ruby Beauty, it may not trail but is quite short and spineless and could work.

If you like raspberries that is.

[vixylix]

OMG Lumpy if VC thinks its bonkers it must be!! what about something else?

Maybe we need a pic of your planter?

[Lumpy]

OK I got the idea from seeing this

Blackberry Black Cascade - Other Berry Plants - Thompson & Morgan

The pot -



I also like the idea of blackberries as I have managed to cram into our tiny garden 3 Ruby Beauty Raspberries (I blame Potty for that idea - Ta Pots), 3 Blueberries,, 2 Blackcurrants, 2 Redcurrents a Whitecurrant and 3 Goosegogs in the front garden as well as 2 rhubarbs.

[vixylix]

It could potentially work... I've ordered the same blackberry for a hanging basket. I think your biggest problem would be watering - but you could always stick a plastic bottle in at the side of the blackberry to water in to. I suppose the biggest issue is how big would the blackberry plant grow and would it steal all the light / nutrients from your strawberries?

What about a companion plant instead (I've copied and pasted the below - not my own work!)

Borage (Borago officinalis)

This herb is a virtual magic bullet when it comes to companion planting.

Bush Beans (Phaseolus)

The common bean is known benefactor of strawberry plants. It repels some beetles and hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria which serve to fertilize the soil for better strawberry yields.

Caraway (Carum carvi)

Caraway is another herb that indirectly benefits strawberry plants by being nearby. The primary benefit of caraway is that it attracts parasitic wasps and parasitic flies that are voracious predators of many common strawberry pests.

Lupin (Lupinus)

This flower is actually a legume. Like the beans mentioned above, it also fixes nitrogen in the soil, thereby fertilizing for surrounding plants, including strawberries. It also attracts honeybees.

[Lumpy]

I like the way you think Vix!

[Losos]

but you could always stick a plastic bottle in at the side of the blackberry to water in to.

Interesting idea, how far into the ground would you suggest the bottle goes ? some of the long thin soft drink bottles presumeably better than the big water bottles.

Thanks for all those suggestions on companions for strawberries, might try some of them.

[vixylix]

Interesting idea, how far into the ground would you suggest the bottle goes ? some of the long thin soft drink bottles presumeably better than the big water bottles.

I am NOT an expert (VC where are you?!) - but I would think not too deep as you would want the top plant to get water too, with the rest draining through the soil

[veggiechicken]

I've no idea, Vix - you thought of it!!
You could push the bottle in as far it can go and water into the top of it AND water the top of the pot

[vixylix]

I just stole the idea from your tomatoes... don't hold me responsible

[veggiechicken]

Let that be a lesson to you - stealing my crazy ideas!

[Lumpy]

Watering the strawberry pot may be solved - notice I said 'may'.

OH has put some large holes either side of the big hole that the plant goes in (towards the top) and after a bit of trial and error an old plastic sauce bottle, which has a long neck fits perfectly into the holes so...........the idea is to fill the bottle with water and then squeeze the ell out of it so the water gets to the roots of the plants that are a long way from the top of the pot.