Transplanting blackberry plants in april - will they survive?

[drewskimac]

My friend called me to tell me that he was getting rid of his (30 or so) Thornless blackberry plants. Of course, I rushed over, dug them all up, and brought them home. I planted them all in a sunny spot along a trellis. Do I really need to cut them down to a few inches tall or is there an okay chance theyll survive if I leave them as tall, mature plants? I thoroughly watered them and heavily mulched them. I would rather not cut them down if at all possible, but I know it would probably help them.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Idk , having never transplanted them before. Maybe if they start wilting badly cut half off? Good luck though! I am planning to put bunny manure on our wild blackberries this year.

 

[PouleChick]

I'm not sure but I am about to plant a raspberry and blackberry (in a pot not transplants) so I'm hoping it is OK! I think yours will be fine - they are so hardy!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Gee, I couldn't kill black berries if I tried!

That being said... when I cut mine back they grow back VERY rapidly. And I know SOME fruits will only come on NEW growth... seems like blackberries and grapes. But I COULD be mistaken. However IF it's true... I rather have smaller bushes than a dump sized hill to try and get a few berries. Mine are all wild... but I AM curios about the thornless ones.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

We tried to transplant black berry bushes last year. We had 3 and they all died. They had plenty of sun and water so not sure what happened. If you have success let us know. I would suggest putting down some fertilizer because thats the one thing we didnt do.

 

[drewskimac]

They they all survived! Some are even fruiting this year.

 

[abraga]

I've transplanted several thornless blackberry..they usually do ok if u water them good first few days as they adjust. We made sure our soul was well worked/soft and never let them completely dry out the 1st year..

 

[drewskimac]

What I did: I watered them very thouroughly when planting and heavily mulched with woodchips. I proceeded to water well every day for the first week until the leaves perked up. Those plants whose leaves failed to perk up by the end of the first place were cut down to the lowest two leaf-nodes. The plants whose leaves bounced back are now producing flower buds and the ones i cut to the ground have produced significant growth from the remaining 2 leaf-nodes.