Blackberry seed help

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I'm going to try to plant some erect blackberry seeds which I picked. I have a number of containers with seeds and peat moss in the refrigerator at 34 degrees that I have treated differently to see which might grow if any.

1. Battery acid
A. 1.5 hr
B. 3 hr
2. Nipped with nail clipper
3. Sanded with fine grit sand paper
4. Natural (nothing done to the seed)
5. All of the above (1-4) but will leave out side for 7 weeks in peat moss. Then refrigerate for 500 chill hours.

My question is - Most information I've seen on line says to refrigerate for 3 months then plant. If my blackberry requires 500 chill hours would I not take the seeds out after 21 days in the frig at 34 degrees? Will they spout in the frig?

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Comments (6)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
It is a fun experiment but if you want to be sure of getting exactly the same type of plant as the parent go with cuttings, or, even easier for blackberries, tip layering. With seed you have no way of knowing what the resultant plants' growth habit or fruit will be like.
catfishhoward
Original Author
11 years ago
It is fun and I totally understand, but I have not had any erect blackberries produce from tip layering. I have a tip of one of my plants that's been in a pot with soil now to 2 months and no roots. It's been above 90 degree and I've been water all my plants every other day.

When would it be best to start tip layering and cuttings here in Atlanta, Ga? Do you know if 500 chill hours would be 21 days in the refrigerator?
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
I can't give you any advice for your region as it is way outside my experience. But I would definitely wait longer than two months on a cutting. I'd bury the tip and then ignore it until next year if it were in my garden.

Maybe the people over on Fruit and Orchards can help you with chill hours. That is also outside my experience as it is not an issue where I live. Fruit and Orchards Forum
party_music50
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
“Chilling” is defined as the measure of accumulated hours of temperatures below 45°F in the dormant season, so a requirement of 500 chill hours does mean a minimum of 21 days.

They won't germinate while being chilled.

Read http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-blackberries-seeds-54027.html

In summary, they say the best time for planting out seedlings would be September, but the seed should be started 6 months prior (March) -- that's a very broad statement considering that they don't mention a growing zone. lol!
catfishhoward
Original Author
10 years ago
Update: the flats I had inside with the blackberry seed since winter never came up but the flat I have out side started some sprouts but they don't look like blackberry leave but I never seen a blackberry sprout from seed could these be blackberries? I pulled on out and it seemed to have a small seed like a blackberry?
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
10 years ago
Yes, those look like blackberry seedlings. But I'd repeat my remarks about them not producing plants exactly like their parents.