Prime Ark Traveler Blackberry Live Plant – Thornless, Sweet Berries, Dual Crop

Overview

Discover the exceptional qualities of the prime ark traveler blackberry live plant, a revolutionary thornless, erect, primocane-fruiting blackberry cultivar. Developed by the University of Arkansas, this plant (scientifically known as Rubus ‘APF-190T’) is a game-changer for home gardeners and commercial growers alike. It stands out for its high-quality, firm, and exceptionally sweet berries, which boast a lower acidity profile compared to many other blackberry varieties. Unlike traditional floricane-fruiting blackberries that produce only one crop, the Prime-Ark Traveler is unique in its ability to yield two harvests per growing season in optimal climates. This means you can enjoy a floricane crop in early summer, followed by a bountiful primocane crop from late summer well into the fall, extending your fresh berry enjoyment significantly. This thornless blackberry plant makes harvesting a pleasure, eliminating the discomfort often associated with blackberry cultivation.

The prime ark traveler blackberry live plant is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a productive and easy-to-manage fruit bush to their garden. Its erect growth habit means it requires less support than trailing varieties, simplifying care and maintenance. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this cultivar offers a rewarding experience with its delicious fruit and robust growth. Its adaptability to various climates, especially those with longer growing seasons, ensures a generous yield of delectable blackberries.

Key Benefits

The prime ark traveler blackberry live plant offers a multitude of advantages that make it a top choice for fruit enthusiasts. Enjoy these significant benefits in your garden:

• Thornless Canes: One of the most celebrated features, the absence of thorns makes harvesting the sweet berries a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone, including children, without the risk of scratches.
• Dual Cropping Season: Unlike many other blackberry varieties, this plant produces two distinct crops per year – an early summer floricane crop and a late summer to fall primocane crop. This extended harvest period ensures a steady supply of fresh berries.
• Superior Berry Quality: The berries are renowned for their firmness, sweetness, and lower acidity, making them perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, and jellies. The consistent quality ensures a delightful culinary experience.
• Erect Growth Habit: The plant grows upright, which means less need for extensive trellising or support, simplifying garden management and saving space. This characteristic also contributes to healthier air circulation around the plant.
• Reliable Producer: Developed for robust performance, the rubus apf-190t offers dependable yields year after year, providing a consistent bounty of delicious fruit for your family.
• Disease Resistance: This cultivar exhibits good resistance to common blackberry diseases, contributing to easier care and a more successful harvest.
• Versatile Use: Beyond fresh consumption, the berries are excellent for a variety of culinary applications, from pies and cobblers to smoothies and preserves, allowing you to enjoy your harvest in many ways.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successful growing prime ark traveler blackberries requires attention to a few key environmental factors and care routines. This thornless variety thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce abundant and sweet fruit. Choose a location in your garden that receives ample sunlight throughout the day. Well-draining soil is crucial for blackberry plants; they do not tolerate soggy conditions. A rich, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage and fertility. When planting, ensure proper spacing to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

Watering is particularly important during establishment and dry periods. Aim for consistent moisture, providing about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Avoid overhead watering if possible, as wet foliage can encourage disease. Fertilize your prime ark traveler blackberry live plant in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or an organic compost. Follow the product instructions for application rates. Pruning is essential for primocane-fruiting varieties like the ‘Traveler’. After the fall harvest, prune the canes that have fruited down to the ground. New canes will emerge the following spring to produce the next season’s crops. Protect your plants from extreme winter cold in colder climates by mulching heavily around the base or providing row cover protection. Monitoring for pests and diseases, though the ‘Traveler’ is quite resistant, will ensure your plant remains healthy and productive.

Size & Details

Each prime ark traveler blackberry live plant is shipped as a healthy starter plug, ready for planting in your garden. These young plants are meticulously grown to ensure a strong root system, providing the best start for vigorous growth. Upon maturity, the Prime-Ark Traveler typically grows to an erect height of 4 to 6 feet, with a similar spread, making it a manageable size for most home gardens. Its robust, thornless canes will begin producing fruit in the first year after planting, with the dual cropping cycle becoming more pronounced in subsequent years. Expect rapid growth and establishment, with significant berry production beginning within 1-2 years. The plant is typically shipped in a protected container to ensure its safe arrival, ready to be transplanted into its permanent garden spot or a larger pot.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this blackberry plant get? A: The prime ark traveler blackberry live plant typically grows to an erect height of 4 to 6 feet, with a similar spread. Its upright growth habit means it requires minimal support compared to sprawling varieties.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Prime Ark Traveler blackberry is an outdoor plant, best suited for garden beds or large containers where it can receive full sun exposure for optimal fruit production.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This blackberry variety thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure abundant fruiting and sweet berries.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the thornless blackberry plant is considered relatively easy to care for, especially due to its thornless canes and erect growth habit. Regular watering, annual pruning, and good sun exposure are key for success.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Prime Ark Traveler blackberry will arrive as a healthy starter plug, carefully packaged to protect the plant and its root system during transit, ready for immediate planting.
• Q: Can I use the berries for cooking? A: Absolutely! The sweet and firm berries from the rubus apf-190t are excellent for fresh eating, as well as for making pies, jams, jellies, smoothies, and other delicious culinary creations.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this blackberry? A: The best time to plant your Prime Ark Traveler blackberry starter plug is in early spring after the last frost, or in early fall in milder climates, to allow the roots to establish before extreme temperatures.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Prime Ark Traveler is generally hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. In colder regions, providing winter protection like heavy mulching around the base can help ensure its survival.
• Q: What makes this blackberry plant unique? A: Its most unique features are its thornless canes and its primocane-fruiting nature, which allows for two distinct harvests per year – one in early summer and another from late summer into fall.
• Q: What kind of soil does it prefer? A: This blackberry plant prefers well-draining, fertile, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Amending with compost can improve soil structure and nutrient content.