Asked on Aug 20, 2017
How do I get my blackberries to produce BIGGER fruit?
by
Tim Rose
+2
I have about 75 blackberry bushes on the opposite side of my pond. They have been there for decades. I have been gently trimming them back for the past five years to get control over them. They are finally thinned out and blossomed this year for the first time. There were thousands of blossoms. It produced LOTS of fruit but the berries were very small. About a 1/2" in size. Am I expecting to much the first year or is there anything I can do to get bigger fruit?
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I actually have a similar situation with my blackberries. I have come to realize that lots of water and years of waiting are the answer for bigger berries.
I used to cut mine totally down after season and each year they grew back bigger and sweeter. This may or may not work for you. You could try it on one or two to see before cutting them all down.
Please keep in mind that some varieties of berries are naturally small. Depending on the type of berries, these may or may not grow larger with more attention.
I make a compost tea using worm castings which I brew using fish tank filters to remove chemicals off the water. I brew it overnight before using it the next day. It makes fruits and veggies humongous! All I use is a bucket, worm castings, a knee high (like pantyhose to keep the mixture sifted) and the fish tank motor cost $10.00 at Walmart.
Hello Tim, It might not be a problem with the plants at all. It might be a problem with the soil, especially given their age. I recommend using Epson Salt. Dissolve a tablespoon in a gallon of water and sprinkle it on the plants where the plant meets the soil. Then water them real good. This will help the roots receive the Epson Salt. This process will put enzymes in the soil. You can repeat this process 1 or 2 times a month. Hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.