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Reubens write-off?

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  • #1

    Reubens write-off?

    Have newly joined but often read postings. Seems I'm not the only one bitterly disappointed with this (non) cropper

    Am in the third year of a three bush batch but have had virtually nothing to show for it. Just a few fruits form, which get very big and promptly rot

    I suspect it's just a gimmick to sell plants to those with no space for a proper blackberry bush?
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  • #2
    Do you prune it in February? The fruit should grow on the current years growth.
    Location : Essex

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    • #3
      I also bought this variety three years ago and have had one fruit since. It was planted in front of a s.w facing panel fence to get plenty of sun and I cut it back in february like an autumn raspberry.A failure like the Goji berry.

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      • #4
        Is this a blackberry variety?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by WendyC View Post
          Is this a blackberry variety?
          I googled it and to be honest most of the hits were for an apple but there was also some for a primocane version of blackberry I've one which should fruit on that years growth (as an autumn raspberry which us what I'm assuming this thread refers. Assuming so, if you're getting no fruit then my first query would be were you got it from, if it's mislabelled then it won't produce as expected. Many less relable suppliers are quite rubbish at keeping track of varieties. I do notice however that Blackmoor sell them and if it came from somewhere like that then get in touch with them. Their customer service is fab.

          Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

          Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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          • #6
            I have a Reuben which I cut to the ground every spring and it does produce fruit. I have to say though that yield is lower than my primocane raspberries, and the blackberries themselves aren't as big as on other varieties. I think it's only worth it if you really want blackberries and don't have room for a traditional sprawling variety.

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            • #7
              I have just purchased a REUBEN Blackberry, the notes that came with it say it is a primocane and it is possible to get two crops per year BUT they will be smaller than the usual one per year type.

              It came with a good number of flowers on, in a phone call (just to clarify pruning) the guy said cut to the ground in February to get one good crop in the Autumn.

              I hope he is correct.

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              • #8
                Sounds right for a primocane. You can do the same in future years, or leave a few canes to get an early first crop. But don't leave too many, you don't want to hold back the main Autumn crop.
                My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
                Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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                • #9
                  Martin H - thanks - I'll stick with one crop in the Autumn, not a full time gardener so I try to avoid experimentaion ha ha.

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                  • #10
                    Well Autumn is approaching and my Reuben blackberry has plenty of fruits on it, that's the good news, the bad news is that at least half of the berries are not ripening properly, they are of course black but with a large number of red bits (Sorry I've forgotten the technical term)

                    I just picked one and dissected it, I can't see any pests inside, but the red bits are definately not ripened but the black bits are OK, this is quite a mystery to me.

                    Has anyone had this happen to them :?: Sorry can't do a picture and I'll see if anyone on this forum can help before I ring the supplier, they claim all sorts of good things for their fruit bushes but I'm beginning to wonder how good they are now
                    Last edited by Losos; 22-08-2016, 12:10 PM.

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                    • #11
                      I had forgotten that I planted a couple of Ruebens (and a few 'layers'/cuttings) a few years ago.
                      I haven't seen them for a year or two so I'm guessing they just withered away and died.
                      They were feeble growers and poor croppers due to seeming to be out of synch with UK seasons.
                      .

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                      • #12
                        Losos, are the "black bits" ripe? Just wondering if you leave them the other bits will ripen up?

                        I don't grow that variety but I do grow a thornless blackberry and it's not fully ripe yet. I'm in a sunny spot in west wilts so we have had some good weather...perhaps wait to see if they ripen s little more?

                        Would love a photo?

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
                          Losos, are the "black bits" ripe? Just wondering if you leave them the other bits will ripen up?

                          ..perhaps wait to see if they ripen s little more?

                          Would love a photo?
                          Well it looks to me like the 'black bits' are ripe. I will leave them on the cane for a bit longer but I have this 'feeling' that all is not right

                          Will attempt a photo if my camera batteries haven't gone flat yet again (I must be Duracells biggest customer ha ha)

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by FB. View Post
                            They were feeble growers and poor croppers due to seeming to be out of synch with UK seasons.
                            Thanks FB so all in all it seems this is one variety where the sales 'hype' far exceeds the reality

                            I'll wait a bit longer and then maybe contact the supplier who may just possibly have an explanation but I'm not optimistic, I'll hold off naming them until after I've spoken.

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                            • #15
                              Scarlet - Well I've found out what the problem is, spoke to an extremely helpful guy at Pomona Fruits and it is 'Blackberry Mite' AKA 'Red Berry Disease' which attacks the druplets of the berry, the only cure is to cut down effected canes and clear the ground and start again next year.

                              A detailed description and photo here:-

                              http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/image/data/...%20Disease.pdf

                              My berries look exactly like the photo in that link and more than half the crop effected. If you live in area with many wild brambles etc. then these pesky blighters will be blown in on the wind.


                              Yet another pest that is not mentioned in any of my books on gardening

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