Propagation of Thornless Blackberries by One-node Cuttings1

Abstract

Abstract Thornless blackberries (Rubus sp.) were propagated throughout the year by rooting leafy 1-node cuttings. Differences in ease of rooting among cultivars were evident with ‘Smoothstem’ generally being the most difficult and ‘Black Satin’, SI-US 68-6-6, and SI-US 68-6-17 being the easiest to root. Treatment with 0.3% indolebutyric acid in talc sometimes improved rooting slightly. Although more and longer roots developed when sand was the rooting medium, roots were brittle and broke off easily when the cuttings were handled. Cuttings rooted nearly as well in 1 peat: 1 perlite mix, had a more fibrous root system, and were easier to handle in transplanting. Rooting was as successful under a plastic tent as under intermittent mist. Node location along the cane did not influence rooting of the cuttings as long as the succulent tissue at the stem tip was not used.