Between succulent pies, jams, jellies, cobblers, and even wine, blackberries are a sweet summer treat that we always look forward to enjoying.
Luckily, growing your own blackberries is not hard to come by. Blackberries are some of the easiest berries to grow, even for a beginner gardener.
Propagating blackberries from cuttings is an easy and effective way to get new plants. With proper care most blackberry varieties will root successfully in 3-8 weeks. Let’s look at how long it takes for blackberry cuttings to root and the steps for optimal results.
What Are Blackberry Cuttings?
A blackberry cutting is a section of a cane or stem taken from an existing blackberry plant and used to propagate or create new plants genetically identical to the parent
Cuttings contain nodes where roots and shoots can emerge. For blackberries, semi-hardwood cuttings from the current season’s growth are ideal. Softwood or greenwood cuttings taken in summer can also work.
Using cuttings from healthy, disease-free blackberry plants helps ensure success. Thornless varieties tend to root more easily than thorny types.
When To Take Blackberry Cuttings
Late summer to early fall is the best time to take blackberry cuttings. This allows time for the cuttings to root before winter dormancy sets in.
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For semi-hardwood cuttings, take them in late summer after the canes harden off but before they become fully dormant. Late August to September is ideal in most regions.
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For softwood cuttings, take them in early to mid summer when the canes are still green and flexible. June to early July works well.
Taking cuttings outside this timeframe can result in failure or very slow rooting. It’s best to stick to late summer through early fall for most varieties.
How Long For Blackberry Cuttings To Root
With proper care, most blackberry cuttings will root in 3-8 weeks. Here are general timeframes:
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Softwood cuttings: Root in 3-5 weeks. The faster growth rate in summer helps speed things along.
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Semi-hardwood cuttings: Root in 4-8 weeks. Slower than softwood but higher success rate.
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Hardwood cuttings: Root in 8-12 weeks. Take in late fall/winter. Slower and less reliable.
Thornless varieties tend to root on the faster side while thorny types are often slower. But even among the same variety, time to root can vary. Patience is key!
Step-By-Step Guide To Rooting Cuttings
Follow these steps for the best results with blackberry cuttings:
1. Take 6-8 Inch Cuttings
Use a clean, sharp blade to take 6-8 inch cuttings from healthy canes. Cut just below a node or bud. Remove flowers and most leaves, leaving just 1-2 leaves at the top.
2. Dip Cutting Ends in Rooting Hormone
Dip the bottom 1-2 inches of the cutting in rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root growth. Commercial products like Dip ‘N Grow work well.
3. Stick Cuttings in Potting Mix
Moisten potting mix and stick cuttings 3-4 inches deep, leaving just a few leaves exposed. Press soil firmly around the cuttings.
4. Cover and Provide Gentle Bottom Heat
Cover pots with plastic to retain moisture and provide bottom heat between 70-80°F if possible to speed rooting. Place on a heat mat or warm spot.
5. Mist Frequently to Keep Moist
Mist cuttings daily or use a propagation dome to keep the environment humid. Never let cuttings dry out.
6. Transfer Rooted Cuttings to Individual Pots
Once rooted, usually in 3-8 weeks, gently tug to check for resistance. Transfer successfully rooted cuttings to their own pots.
With this process, you can expect most blackberry cuttings to be well rooted and ready to pot up in 1-2 months. Just be patient and provide consistent moisture and care.
Troubleshooting: Why Won’t My Cuttings Root?
Here are some common reasons blackberry cuttings fail to root and solutions:
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Old or damaged cuttings – Use fresh, healthy wood for the best results. Avoid old or damaged canes.
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Incorrect timing – Take cuttings in late summer to early fall for optimal rooting. Other times often fail.
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Lack of moisture – Ensure cuttings never dry out. Mist frequently or cover to maintain humidity.
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Improper temperature – Bottom heat around 70-80°F encourages faster root growth. Avoid cold temperatures.
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Insufficient light – Some light is needed but avoid direct hot sun. Bright shade is ideal.
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Diseases – Sterilize tools. Avoid taking cuttings from infected plants. Prevent fungal issues.
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Incorrect depth – Cuttings should be stuck 3-4 inches deep in the potting mix, not shallower.
With attention to timing, care, and planting depth, most healthy blackberry cuttings will root in a matter of weeks. Just provide consistently moist, warm, and humid conditions for the best results. Patience and persistence pay off!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to root blackberry cuttings?
Using bottom heat around 70-80°F, taking softwood cuttings in summer, using rooting hormone, and maintaining very humid conditions will speed up rooting. Most cuttings will be ready in 3-5 weeks under ideal conditions.
When should I take blackberry cuttings?
Late summer to early fall is ideal. For semi-hardwood cuttings, take them in August/September once the canes start to harden off. Softwood cuttings can be taken in early summer when canes are green and flexible.
How do I know when my cutting has rooted?
Check carefully by giving a very gentle tug after 3-4 weeks. If you feel resistance, roots have started to form. Eventually you’ll see new leaves emerge as the cutting starts growing.
What is the best rooting hormone for blackberry cuttings?
Commercial powder and gel rooting products like Dip ‘N Grow that contain IBA and/or NAA work well. Just dip the bottom inch or two of cuttings in the hormone before sticking them in soil.
Should I remove flowers and leaves from cuttings?
Yes, remove all flowers and most leaves, leaving just 1-2 leaves at the tip. This prevents moisture loss and helps the cutting direct energy into root formation rather than leaf growth.
Rooting blackberry cuttings is a simple way to add new plants to your garden or multiply special varieties. In optimal conditions, most cuttings will be ready for potting up in just 1-2 months! With a little care and patience, you can easily propagate blackberries from cuttings for free.
How to care for blackberry plants.
If you live in gardening zones 4 – 10 in North America, there’s likely a blackberry variety for you. Your local garden center will be able to advise you on the blackberry varieties that thrive in your zone.
Blackberry plants prefer a pH balance between 5.5 and 7.0, but I would definitely lean toward the lower number. In fact, if your soil is more toward neutral (7.0), then mulch with pine straw to add more acid to the soil.
Check out this post to learn about testing and amending your soil. Well-draining soil is also important.
Like most summer fruits, blackberries like to soak up the sun: they need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight to produce fruit.
When planting new blackberry plants, bury their roots just beneath the surface—you don’t need to go too deep with these. Once planted, keep the top 1 inch of soil moist for the next couple of weeks. After this initial rooting period, your blackberry plants will need 1 – 2 inches of water per week. For those of us who live in a particularly dry climate, you may need to water them daily.
Plan to plant in the fall or, if you’re in a colder climate, right after the final spring frost has come through.
While the blackberry plant itself is perennial, its canes produce fruits every other year (biennial). Brand new canes will only produce leaves the first year. In the second year, these canes will flower and produce the dark, delicious berries you’ve been craving.
Once your new blackberry bush begins growing multiple canes, fruit production will become staggered and you’ll have canes producing fruit each summer.
Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to the fruit-producing season. Those juicy berries need lots of water to plump up.
So once your blackberry plants are producing fruit, water needs increase. Be sure to keep the soil moist throughout the entire harvesting season. Again, if you’re in a drier zone, this may mean watering your blackberry plants daily.
Blackberries are ripe when they are dark and plump. Unlike tomatoes, blackberries do not continue to ripen once picked, so hold your horses until your blackberries are vine ripe.
Pick ripe fruit and refrigerate immediately. Blackberries don’t stay fresh long, even when refrigerated, so snack, cook, or preserve within 2 – 3 days of picking.