BLACKBERRY PRODUCTION BY FLORICANE STEM CUTTINGS

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) production is increasing worldwide. After a weak trade period in the 1990s improved fruit firmness and shelf-life has increased consumer interest in this crop. Also, increased imports from countries which produce off-season has stimulated supply. Blackberry is a biennial fruiting plant. This fruiting habit strongly influences its production management. Floricane stem cuttings could be developed to produce fruit from July onwards, under protected cultivation in mild winter climates. Floricane cuttings of three blackberry cultivars, 'Arapaho', 'Ouachita' and 'Karaka Black', were taken on 15th February 2011 from three different positions in the cane: apical, mid, and basal sections. Two-node floricane stems were rooted in substrate (3 parts coconut fiber, two parts pine bark and one part perlite by volume) under intermittent mist conditions. Almost all shoots emerged in all cultivars at all positions and roots started to develop four weeks after planting. Flowering and fruiting patterns were described and berry numbers per cluster were counted. This will determine the possible fruiting niche for this technology.