My 2 year review of the new Ponca Blackberries. alan Check out my Website. I've written dozens of articles pertaining to all areas of homesteading and self sufficiency. Here's the link: homesteadadvisor.com/ If you enjoyed this video and would like to see more videos like this. please give this video a thumbs up and leave me a comment! Please subscribe, it would really help my channel! Thank you for watching! ❤
I highly recommend "sweetie pie" an older variety. Out of "prime ark freedom" and "triple crown" blackberry in our backyard, this variety is quite tolerant to our dry summer heat up here in Amarillo, TX. The flavor is quite exceptional compared to prime ark freedom and triple crown. Additionaly, the berries for some reason does not develop white druplets from heat as triple crown. It is semi erect thornless and the only downside is the size of the fruit which is quite similar to ponca and the seeds are larger per say to others. But man oh man it is quite sweet! You do not have to wait for it to be completely dark matte black to be sweet which is a huge plus to us.
I have Ponca, Prime Ark Freedom, and Sweetie Pie blackberries. I agree with your assessment, but like the Ponca the best due to flavor. It seems a little more vigorous than Sweetie pie. Both Sweetie Pie and Ponca have better flavor, but smaller berries than Prime Ark Freedom. But PAF is much more vigorous with thicker canes. PAF makes earlier but mine also got hit with this years late freeze. I have mine in raised beds.
Thanks for the information. I guess it seems that the best course of action is to have several varieties just in case something happens to one of them.
Trying out 6 of Stark Black Gem primacane blackberries from Starkbros currently at 2ft now in 1 gal pots soon after this heat probably in September replant in ground. In Feb bought 2 bareroot twigs from tractor supply they are Triple Crown and shoot they grow like crazy they are bigger than Alan PAF in the first year of growth.
Thank you for sharing. Maybe certain varieties are easier to grow in their preferred climate. I have PA freedom, Sweetie pie, and triple crown. PA freedom is the most vigorous, the other two seem very slow. I’m in zone 7 Maryland, about to get a Ponca and give it a try.
My Poncas didn't produce a HUGE amount of fruit and they produced six or eight tall, spindly canes. I've sacrificed a couple of them for cuttings in 2 liter bottles. They've survived into their second week in the Texas heat so we'll see how they do. They haven't grown as nice as my Natchez or Navaho plants. I might try some PrimeArk Freedoms if the Poncas disappoint.
I wanted to say thank you for all the informative blackberry videos, I just used your T post and wire idea to make a trellis! I'm in Dallas and have gone a bit overboard, just planted the following in my back yard, curious to see what survives: - Ollallieberry - Brazos - Triple Crown - Prime Ark 45 - Prime Ark Freedom - Austin Dewberry - Sweetie Pie - Kiowa - Starks black gem - Ouachita - Marionberry - Boysenberry Died already: - Black Hawk black raspberry - Bababerry red raspberry Still on order, hasn't arrived yet - Obsidian Blackberry - Siskiyou Blackberry - Heritage Raspberry - Fall Gold Raspberry - Munger Black Raspberry My wife and son think I've lost my mind, and multiple co-workers have warned me that I'm going to regret planting all those invasive brambles I'm excited for the day I taste the first berry from the whole mess!
Wow… You must have a huge backyard. Ha ha ha. But, seriously good for you. I’ve always believed in Growing something to eat instead of something that looks pretty.
@@BIGALTX Not been as hot as that by me. There are threats of 100 degree days here though, and so far, but for one June day, they have failed to happen. It was only the mid-upper 80s that afternoon.
I think Ponca does better in the ground possibly I have 400 ft that I tip at 5' and produce nice size fruit they seem to respond well to Jacks Berry Special and lots of water!
Interesting… I’ll keep that in mind. I really like the containers though because I have gopher issues, and they can’t get in these containers and destroy my plants. 👍🏻 😊
I bought a few bare root prime ark freedoms. They are growing well but the vines are very thin. Should i let them go or cut them short so maybe they come back thicker in spring?
I would leave them alone. The canes growing right now are what you are going to get fruit on in the spring. If you cut it off, you’re not gonna get much fruit. Plus, as hot as it is, I don’t think I would do anything to them to put them in stress.
@@BIGALTX im propagating some now from cuttings. I have them in pots like you do, but i put a plastic bag overtop to create a greenhouse effect and keep them indoors under grow light. Seems to be working. New growth on a few
I really want to pull the trigger and order some prime ark freedom berries but I’m not sure if there is enough time for them to become established. Can I ask what your thoughts are? I’m in Houston by the way.
Wow, you are kidding? It was -7 with just a skiff of snow here in Arkansas for me and my Poncas. Pruned them yesterday and they survived fine. That's wild. It was their first winter as well.
I'm finding ponka easy to propagate and prime ark freedom difficult to propagate here in Southern California any one else with similar experiences. Ponca seems vigorous an had a heavy fruit load
101 right now… Supposed to hit 104 just about all week. That’s really kind of unusual for us. Normally does not get that hot for that sustained period.
@@BIGALTX SISU! 85,92 creeps me out. Course you don't deal with humidity in Texas. Dry heat. I see why you have drip irrigation now. We bake 12 + Rotisserie😀 CHX per day a the Deli, that's YOU maintaining black berries! Power to the people!
My 2 year review of the new Ponca Blackberries.
alan
Check out my Website.
I've written dozens of articles pertaining to all areas of homesteading and self sufficiency.
Here's the link: homesteadadvisor.com/
If you enjoyed this video and would like to see more videos like this. please give this video a thumbs up and leave me a comment!
Please subscribe, it would really help my channel!
Thank you for watching! ❤
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Poncas and keep your videos coming please.
Will do!
I highly recommend "sweetie pie" an older variety. Out of "prime ark freedom" and "triple crown" blackberry in our backyard, this variety is quite tolerant to our dry summer heat up here in Amarillo, TX. The flavor is quite exceptional compared to prime ark freedom and triple crown. Additionaly, the berries for some reason does not develop white druplets from heat as triple crown. It is semi erect thornless and the only downside is the size of the fruit which is quite similar to ponca and the seeds are larger per say to others. But man oh man it is quite sweet! You do not have to wait for it to be completely dark matte black to be sweet which is a huge plus to us.
I have heard others talk about sweetie pie. If I ever change varieties, I’m going to look at that one for sure.
I have Ponca, Prime Ark Freedom, and Sweetie Pie blackberries. I agree with your assessment, but like the Ponca the best due to flavor. It seems a little more vigorous than Sweetie pie. Both Sweetie Pie and Ponca have better flavor, but smaller berries than Prime Ark Freedom. But PAF is much more vigorous with thicker canes. PAF makes earlier but mine also got hit with this years late freeze. I have mine in raised beds.
Thanks for the information.
I guess it seems that the best course of action is to have several varieties just in case something happens to one of them.
Trying out 6 of Stark Black Gem primacane blackberries from Starkbros currently at 2ft now in 1 gal pots soon after this heat probably in September replant in ground. In Feb bought 2 bareroot twigs from tractor supply they are Triple Crown and shoot they grow like crazy they are bigger than Alan PAF in the first year of growth.
That’s fantastic. Hope they do well for you.
Thank you for sharing. Maybe certain varieties are easier to grow in their preferred climate. I have PA freedom, Sweetie pie, and triple crown. PA freedom is the most vigorous, the other two seem very slow. I’m in zone 7 Maryland, about to get a Ponca and give it a try.
I think you’ll like the Ponca as well.
Jury is still out for us too. Trying to decide which varieties out of everything we have that we like best.
I guess that’s all we can do for right now
My Poncas didn't produce a HUGE amount of fruit and they produced six or eight tall, spindly canes. I've sacrificed a couple of them for cuttings in 2 liter bottles. They've survived into their second week in the Texas heat so we'll see how they do. They haven't grown as nice as my Natchez or Navaho plants. I might try some PrimeArk Freedoms if the Poncas disappoint.
I think the PAF’s are a pretty good choice if you’re in zone eight or warmer. Above that… Not sure. They don’t seem to like the cold.
I have same experience with my wicking tub here in northern California
I wanted to say thank you for all the informative blackberry videos, I just used your T post and wire idea to make a trellis!
I'm in Dallas and have gone a bit overboard, just planted the following in my back yard, curious to see what survives:
- Ollallieberry
- Brazos
- Triple Crown
- Prime Ark 45
- Prime Ark Freedom
- Austin Dewberry
- Sweetie Pie
- Kiowa
- Starks black gem
- Ouachita
- Marionberry
- Boysenberry
Died already:
- Black Hawk black raspberry
- Bababerry red raspberry
Still on order, hasn't arrived yet
- Obsidian Blackberry
- Siskiyou Blackberry
- Heritage Raspberry
- Fall Gold Raspberry
- Munger Black Raspberry
My wife and son think I've lost my mind, and multiple co-workers have warned me that I'm going to regret planting all those invasive brambles
I'm excited for the day I taste the first berry from the whole mess!
Try Caroline raspberry. Apparently, they are very heat tolerant. It's on my list.
Wow… You must have a huge backyard. Ha ha ha.
But, seriously good for you. I’ve always believed in Growing something to eat instead of something that looks pretty.
Did not know that. Thanks for the tip.
Plant Ponca blackberrys in ground! Mine are beautiful!
I just pruned my Poncas yesterday.
Well, as you can see, mine are in desperate need of it
ha ha ha
@@BIGALTX Not been as hot as that by me. There are threats of 100 degree days here though, and so far, but for one June day, they have failed to happen. It was only the mid-upper 80s that afternoon.
I think Ponca does better in the ground possibly I have 400 ft that I tip at 5' and produce nice size fruit they seem to respond well to Jacks Berry Special and lots of water!
Interesting… I’ll keep that in mind.
I really like the containers though because I have gopher issues, and they can’t get in these containers and destroy my plants. 👍🏻 😊
Well I think they look great!
Thank you dear 😍
I tend to not work in the garden as much when it’s 100+. Especially when I work in it all day
Understood… It’s pretty dangerous
If I wanted to make larger wicking tubs and decided to use horse troughs …. Would u use the black rubber ones or the silver galvanized ones
I have one of the big black ones. And I have considered making one but have not yet. But it is a good idea.
I have seen other people do it I think.
Ok … I may try it
I bought a few bare root prime ark freedoms. They are growing well but the vines are very thin. Should i let them go or cut them short so maybe they come back thicker in spring?
I would leave them alone. The canes growing right now are what you are going to get fruit on in the spring. If you cut it off, you’re not gonna get much fruit.
Plus, as hot as it is, I don’t think I would do anything to them to put them in stress.
@@BIGALTX ok thanks for reply.
@@BIGALTX im propagating some now from cuttings. I have them in pots like you do, but i put a plastic bag overtop to create a greenhouse effect and keep them indoors under grow light. Seems to be working. New growth on a few
@@aUNVACCINATED nice!
I really want to pull the trigger and order some prime ark freedom berries but I’m not sure if there is enough time for them to become established. Can I ask what your thoughts are? I’m in Houston by the way.
the best time to plant blackberries is two years ago. The second best time is right now
It is way too hot right now. I would not plant blackberries till October or November in Houston.
👍🏻😎
@@BIGALTX good deal! Already got me some good container’s
My Prime Ark bit the dust after a -7° spell here in Arkansas last winter.
That’s terrible. Mine were hurt pretty bad, but did not die. They have come back nicely now.
@@BIGALTX I wasn't happy about it, but what you gonna do? Yours are looking good!
Wow, you are kidding? It was -7 with just a skiff of snow here in Arkansas for me and my Poncas. Pruned them yesterday and they survived fine. That's wild. It was their first winter as well.
I lost all my "chicago" figs though. So much for survive Chicago level cold
No where near that.
I see you are getting some leaf cupping too.... I guess it is just the heat....
Probably. When I go out in it, I do a little cupping myself. Ha ha ha
I'm finding ponka easy to propagate and prime ark freedom difficult to propagate here in Southern California any one else with similar experiences. Ponca seems vigorous an had a heavy fruit load
That one tub that I tip propagated worked really well really fast.
Good to hear of your experience with poncas. Thanks for the comment.
Spring crop done good, they look rough now, just too hot .. ⁷
Herd Dat 🙁
My ponca berries are pretty decent size comparable to most black berries.
Maybe I had a bad year…
Sounds like ponca blackberry needs to be over packed like 1 foot apart not 3 or 4 feet apart it seems
Not sure… Maybe they just don’t like the Texas heat as well as the Primark Freedom Blackberries do.
@@BIGALTX I am in Alabama
Mine are planted in the ground and they look similar to yours in tubs. I say lets give them a NOPE...not buy any more Ponca's any time soon.
Kind of what I’m thinking as of right now. Thanks for the comment.
100 F No way!
101 right now… Supposed to hit 104 just about all week. That’s really kind of unusual for us. Normally does not get that hot for that sustained period.
@@BIGALTX SISU! 85,92 creeps me out. Course you don't deal with humidity in Texas. Dry heat. I see why you have drip irrigation now. We bake 12 + Rotisserie😀 CHX
per day a the Deli, that's YOU maintaining black berries! Power to the people!