Troubleshooting
Thornless Evergreen Blackberry problems — and how to fix them
Thornless Evergreen Blackberry (Rubus laciniatus 'Thornless Evergreen') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Cane management and tying
The very long canes sprawl and tangle if not trained. Tie second-year fruiting canes to wires and bundle first-year canes separately to simplify pruning and picking.
Tip-rooting spread
Cane tips touching the soil root and form new plants, letting it wander. Keep tips off the ground and remove rooted shoots you don't want.
Grey mould and fruit rot
Botrytis ruins ripe berries in wet, congested growth. Space and tie canes for airflow and pick fruit as it ripens.
Reverting to thorny growth
This thornless type can occasionally throw thorny shoots from the rootstock; remove any reverted thorny canes at the base to keep the plant thornless.
Prevent thornless evergreen blackberry problems before they start
Most thornless evergreen blackberry issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Thornless Evergreen Blackberry watering schedule
- Thornless Evergreen Blackberry light requirements
- Best soil mix for thornless evergreen blackberry
- Thornless Evergreen Blackberry temperature & humidity
- Full thornless evergreen blackberry care guide
Looking for thornless evergreen blackberry in general rather than its problems? Read the full thornless evergreen blackberry care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Thornless Evergreen Blackberry problems — FAQ
Why is my thornless evergreen blackberry cane management and tying?
The very long canes sprawl and tangle if not trained. Tie second-year fruiting canes to wires and bundle first-year canes separately to simplify pruning and picking.
Why is my thornless evergreen blackberry tip-rooting spread?
Cane tips touching the soil root and form new plants, letting it wander. Keep tips off the ground and remove rooted shoots you don't want.
Why is my thornless evergreen blackberry grey mould and fruit rot?
Botrytis ruins ripe berries in wet, congested growth. Space and tie canes for airflow and pick fruit as it ripens.
Why is my thornless evergreen blackberry reverting to thorny growth?
This thornless type can occasionally throw thorny shoots from the rootstock; remove any reverted thorny canes at the base to keep the plant thornless.