General Care:
- Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
- Water 1 inch per week from spring until after harvest.
- Every 3-4 years fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10).
- Can be grown in containers, trained up a trellis, pruned into small trees or maintained as a small shrub.
NOTE: Very sharp thorns. Wear gloves when handling and picking berries.
Pests & Diseases:
- Susceptible to powdery mildew and fungus.
Winter/Early Spring Pruning Steps (bush still dormant):
- Remove dead and diseased wood.
- Remove tangled, crossed, overcrowded or branches touching the ground.
Branches that are left, make the following cuts just above an outward facing bud:
- Cut back the previous seasons grown by half.
- Cut back side branches between 1 and 3 buds from the base of the shoot.
- Remove any suckers growing away from the main stem.
NOTE: For established plants, remove canes over 4 years old. Ideal bush has about a dozen canes at any one time, half being new shoots and other half a mix of 2- and 3-year-old canes.
Summer Pruning (mid-June):
- Pruning of new growth will improve air circulation. Shorten new growth tips to 5 leaves.
