Distinguishing amongst berry plants

[jonahjonah]

Hi all,

I have been digging lots of big, angry brambles out of my plot. Many of them have established themselves in the paths or under desired plants - they have been dug out and chopped up and piled where I can keep an eye that nothing takes hold again.

However, I was in the midst of digging out a smaller, less angry vine when I noticed that the previous tenant had left a plant marker next to it. The marker read "Apache", which turns out to be an apparently more manageable cultivar of blackberry. I've probably cut it back too much to see any berries this year, but I've left it in.

I'm wondering if there is any reasonable way to identify these cultivated varieties or related hybrid berries from the wild blackberries based on pre-fruiting characteristics (less thorny? different growth habit?). I'm a big fan of berries but I don't want to get back to the previous state of affairs where the big, angry brambles are sprawling across half the plot.

I'm also just curious

Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

I think the only way to decide is on fruit quality not thorniness.
If you cut out all the tip rooted bits that have spread to areas you want clear, prune the rest into reasonable shape and wait for autumn to decide on what stays and what goes.

EDIT Apparently, Apache is thornless so that may help.

[DannyK]

Even some cultivars aren't worth growing.

A late neighbour of mine had a wild one which was far better tasting and of fair size than some cultivars.

[jonahjonah]

Looks like I'm in for a controlled jungle/berry taste test this summer.

I've heard that some of the thornless varieties are relatively tasteless. My main "concern" was mostly the curiosity factor though. Thanks

[veggiechicken]

Even some cultivars aren't worth growing.

A late neighbour of mine had a wild one which was far better tasting and of fair size than some cultivars.

I have one like that! The flowers are huge and the berries look full of promise - but they never ripen. No idea why because the wild brambles nearby are great - just pricklier.