The term ‘brambles’ refers to blackberries or raspberries, which have edible fruit produced by many species in the Rubus genus within the Rosaceae family. There are two main sub-genera, called Ideobatus (raspberries) and Eubatus (blackberries). There are also many hybrids among these species within the Rubus sub-genus, such as tayberries, loganberries, boysenberries, black raspberries and yellow raspberries, just to name a few. What distinguishes the blackberry from its raspberry relatives is whether or not the torus (receptacle or stem) stays with the fruit when picked. When picking a blackberry fruit, the torus does stay with the fruit and is eaten or processed with the fruit. With a raspberry, the torus remains on the plant, leaving a hollow core in the raspberry fruit.
Raspberries
Raspberries come in four colours: red, black, yellow and purple. A few cultivars can tolerate winter temperatures of as low as -30°C, and most are hardy down to -10°C. Red and yellow raspberries belong to the same species and are the hardiest.
Blackberries
Blackberries can be either trailing or erect types. Both of these types can also be thorny or thornless types. Most trailing blackberry cultivars are cold hardy to -12°C, with some erect cultivars able to tolerate cold temperatures of as low as -25°C. Most blackberry varieties take three years to reach maturity and remain productive for up to 12 years. Due to disease and pest build up, it is recommended to replant every 10 years.
Site selection and preparation
Blackberries and raspberries have similar soil requirements and can grow in a wide range of soil types, but do best in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic ph of between 5.6 and 7.0. Avoid planting in areas that drain poorly, as brambles, especially raspberries, are susceptible to root rot. A raised bed, about 25cm high, can work well as an alternative. A planting site higher than the surrounding area can also provide better air circulation and water drainage, which will reduce disease and insect problems. Avoid plantations where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants were planted within the past five years as they could host diseases such as verticillium wilt.
Irrigation
Raspberries require irrigation from bloom through harvest to ensure good berry quality. Avoid overwatering as raspberries are very susceptible to root rot caused by heavy wet soils. Overhead irrigation can be used but may encourage diseases. Direct application of water to the root system by means of drip or trickle systems is a better practice. The amount of water needed per plant or plantation depends on the soil type, rainfall and climate conditions. Compared to other fruit crops, blackberries do not need much water. Care must be taken to keep the soil moist, but not overwatered, especially on lower soils. Younger, newly established plants require the most care to make sure that their roots do not dry out or get waterlogged. About 20 – 30mm of water is needed per week during the summer months, when the mature plant is growing and fruiting. This amount is dramatically lowered during the winter season when the plants are in their dormant phase.
Fertilising
Perennial plants have the ability to store nutrients from one season to the next. This results in the internal nutrient status of the plants sometimes being somewhat different than would be expected from one season’s soil test or fertiliser program. Because of this, virtually all authorities agree that large-scale producers should take annual leaf samples for nutrient analysis. Fertiliser programs can then be adjusted according to the results.
Here are some basic guidelines that can be followed:
Annual applications of nitrogen are needed to sustain good yields. The amount of nitrogen depends on the age of the plant. In general, if plants are stunted with yellowish leaves, add nitrogen. Reduce nitrogen if excessive growth and poor fruit set is found.
A complete and balanced fertiliser program should be used.
Choose a fertiliser that is low in chlorides, which raspberries are particularly sensitive to. Avoid sources of potassium chloride.
Slow-release fertilisers or well-rotted manure can be applied annually in early spring.
For optimum plant growth and fruit production it is recommended to have the soil and water tested followed by leaf sample tests during plant growth.
Pruning and trellising
Dead or damaged canes should be pruned out to enhance light and air penetration.
With fall-bearing raspberries, prune off all the spent tops of the first-year canes (primocanes). Also prune off all the spent second-year canes (floricanes) to encourage new primocane growth.
With summer-bearing and yellow raspberries, thin out dormant canes and cut them back to be about 1.9m tall. Remove any dead or diseased canes. Remove all spent floricanes after the summer harvest.
The primocanes on black and purple raspberries can be ’tipped’ by removing the top section (about 5 – 10cm), which will promote new lateral growth.
Do not tip or cut back trailing blackberries. Only prune the spent floricanes. The appropriate means of pruning and trellising bramble plants largely depends by the species and varieties grown. More detailed information is available from Berries for Africa.
The appropriate means of pruning and trellising bramble plants largely depends by the species and varieties grown. More detailed information is available from Berries for Africa.
Pests and diseases
Many pests and diseases affect brambles, although only a few are serious in South Africa. Proper site selection, soil preparation and plant selection are important steps in preventing problems. As a result of blackberries belonging to the same genus as raspberries, they share the same diseases including anthracnose, which can cause the berry to have uneven ripening and sap flow may also be slowed. They also share the same remedies, including the Bordeaux mixture, a combination of lime, water and copper sulphate. Prevalent diseases include root rot, cane blight, crown gall, leaf spot and mildew. You might encounter pests such as birds, spider mites, aphids, cane borers, fruit worms and beetles.
Harvesting and storage
Brambles are delicate fruit that are mostly harvested by hand. To enhance fruit quality and shelf life, it is necessary to cool the fruit to between 2°C and 6°C as quickly as possible after harvesting. Heat extractors and cold rooms are therefore ideal to use in large operations. The berries can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days and have good freezing properties.
Interesting facts
Raspberries are what is known as an aggregate fruit. Aggregate fruits have flowers with multiple ovaries, and each ovary produces drupelets around a core formed by the flower. The fruit contains more vitamin C than oranges, are super high in fibre, low in calories and supply you with a good dose of folic acid. Further to that, raspberries are high in potassium, vitamin A, calcium and are super tasty.
Invasive?
Please note that the following brambles are listed on the Alien Invader species list: Rubus cuneifolius, Rubus proteus (American bramble), grow-to-eat-categories 1b; Rubus ellipticus (Asian wild raspberry), catergory 1a; Rubus flagellaris (bramble), catergory 1b; Rubus fruticosus (European blackberry), grow-to-eat-categories 2 requires a permit; Rubus immixtus (Hogsback raspberry), grow-to-eat-categories 1b; and Rubus niveus (Ceylon raspberry), grow-to-eat-categories 1b. All grow-to-eat-categories 1 invasive species must be removed and destroyed. Before purchasing your plants make sure they are not invasive.
