What Is Boysenberry?
The boysenberry (or boysenberry) is a black raspberry-blackberry hybrid created by Rudolph Boysen, who was employed for many years at the USDA plant laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon. The name ‘boysen’ itself comes from Rudolph’s last name. He developed this new fruit in Los Angeles between 1918 and 1921. Boysen’s selected name was ‘Boysenberry’, and it has been known by that name since 1927 when a contest was held to discover the most appropriate name.
How Are Boysenberries Grown?
Boysenberries are relatively easy to grow, provided their basic needs are met. They need full sunlight, well-drained soil, and sufficient water. They are vigorous growers that benefit from a trellis or arbor to support their thorny canes which quickly grow up to 12 feet tall.
Boysenberry Care & Maintenance
Water your boysenberries regularly, as they are quite thirsty plants. They do not like wet feet, so if the soil feels dense and dry when you trowel it, that’s okay. Don’t let the soil go bone-dry, however; water the shrubs thoroughly every three to four days during drier seasons.
Boysenberries are most productive when given nitrogen- and potassium-rich fertilizer in early spring. To avoid harming the bark of their shallow roots, water lightly before fertilizing to soften it up. Make sure you get the fertilizer down at least 2 inches into the soil so that your plants take up their nutrients properly.
Light Requirements
Boysenberries need lots of sunlight to grow well; they are sun-lovers. If you live in a cooler climate, it is best to give your plants as much sunshine as possible without actually cooking them by exposing them directly to the hot rays for hours on end.
You can protect your boysenberry from excess heat with a shade cloth, especially in the hottest periods. If you’re growing your boysenberry in a pot or container, however, select one that is large enough for the roots to have sufficient space so they don’t get cramped and stop growing.
Pruning & Training Your Boysenberries
If your plants are given proper care, you can expect them to reach up to 8 feet in one season. Try pruning back the long branches of your boysenberries by half their length in late winter so that they’ll have plenty of new, healthy growth during the growing season.
Most people train their boysenberry plants by using a 6-foot trellis or an arbor. They can also be grown on a fence or wall if you train them to grow horizontally.
To train your boysenberry plants, begin by erecting the structure on which they will be trained. As soon as new growth appears, gently guide the stems so that they twine around the trellis’ support wires.
Tie them in place with twine or a soft string so that they will not break or fall off. Continue training new growth by gently pushing or guiding the stems upward and downward until they are trained to grow along the wires. Make sure you keep the base of each stem around 8 inches from the ground and try not to crowd them too tightly against one another.
Water Requirements
Boysenberries need at least 1-2 inches of water per week. They are tolerant to drought conditions but growth will be severely stunted. This plant should be kept moist because it is not deep-rooted and needs large amounts of water to keep the roots cool and prevent rot.
The Boysenberry Growing Season and Harvesting
Boysenberries grow best in USDA zones six to nine, but they will also produce fruit in zones four through ten. They are often grown as patio plants due to their easy maintenance requirements and short seasons—they usually only last two years before dying off. Their first harvest occurs in mid-summer, starting two months after transplant.
They have a high yield (3 to 5 pounds of fruit per plant) with an equally high price tag ($20-$40 per pound). The Boysenberry is one of the most expensive berries in the United States and there are many commercial growers because of it. To harvest your boysenberries, gently tug the fruit off of the plant – it should come free with minimal effort.
Soil Requirements
Boysenberries prefers sandy, loamy soil with good drainage. They are light feeders so they do not usually need any fertilizer unless you are growing them in containers or if your plants show signs of stunted growth and yellow leaves.
If you’re using compost, make sure it’s well-rotted before adding it to the soil around your boysenberry plants. Avoid adding fresh manure or raw organic materials directly to the soil because they can burn young roots and damage tender new growth.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements
The Boysenberry is a fairly hardy plant and can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants are native to Southern California, so they are accustomed to dry, hot summers.
During the summer, keep their soil lightly moist but increase the water slightly after the fruit begins to form. Fertilize every two weeks during this time to make sure that your boysenberries have a good growing season.
The Boysenberry is native to the San Joaquin Valley of California where the climate is much hotter and drier than most other places in the United States, however, if you’re concerned about humidity levels keep them away from open windows or doors.
Fertilizing Requirements
The Boysenberry has a shallow root system, and can have difficulty developing properly if the soil is poor. Make sure to fertilize your boysenberries every two weeks during the growing season to allow them optimal growth.
Although they are not heavy feeders, it’s important that you only use organic matter as fertilizer during the first year after transplanting the plant. You can then begin to use chemical fertilizers during the second year, just be sure not to overdo it and cause damage to your plants or roots.
The Boysenberry is a favorite of many home gardeners because it tolerates poor soil conditions well and enjoys full sunlight without requiring too much water. Do not allow the root system of this plant to remain wet for long periods of time because it can become susceptible to root rot.
Potting and repotting Requirements
Do not transplant your boysenberries until the spring of their second year. They are typically grown as container plants which have been repotted a few times already, so they should be ready to plant in the ground for their second growing season.
If you decide to use a new container, make sure that it is at least 15 inches deep and has drainage holes in the bottom. Use commercial potting soil when repotting your fruit plant – do not add any fertilizer or compost during this time.
If planting directly into the ground, make sure that there are adequate drainage systems and aeration to prevent root rot from occurring. Pests and Diseases Prevention The Boysenberry is susceptible to several pests including aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, root rot, and flea beetles. The most common way to treat these pests is by using organic pesticides such as insecticidal soap or Neem oil.
boysenberry Propagation info
Boysenberries can be propagated from either soft or semi-ripe cuttings, although they are most commonly grown by purchasing a plant.
If you grow your boysenberry from seed make sure to stratify them first and germinate at around 70 degrees. Transplant the seedlings into individual containers when the plants reach roughly 6 inches tall.
To make a cutting, remove a long stem 3 to 5 inches in length with at least two sets of leaves and place it into room temperature water until the bottom half has developed roots.
Plant the rooted cutting 2/3’s of the way deep within well-draining soil and provide full sunlight without additional watering for an additional week after transplanting before providing adequate moisture. You can also use rooting hormone to help speed up the process.
Propagation from soft or semi-ripe cuttings is done by placing them into the water for a few days before planting in moist, sand-free soil. Make sure that you give your plant enough space when transplanting it because its root system will spread out rapidly.
The Boysenberry is a low maintenance fruit plant, however, be diligent about watering during dry periods and make sure to check for signs of infestations immediately so as to avoid further damage.
Boysenberries are one of the few home gardening plants that can provide natural shade and beauty while still producing delicious fruits! Although this plant takes a lot of work to harvest at first, it can be a great addition to any garden. Taste, appearance and yield are all enhanced by their fruit, which is perfect for making jam or just about anything else you can think of!
Boysenberry Problems
Boysenberries are rather vulnerable to root rot, so be sure to avoid overwatering and always plant in well-drained soil.
Do not allow the leaves of your boysenberry plants to touch each other. Also try planting them in a location where they will have space for their roots to expand into – this is especially important if you want to harvest fruit from your plant.
Fertilization Information When growing boysenberries, nitrogen fertilizer should not be given until buds begin to grow.
Fertilize every two weeks using 50% of the recommended rate after buds begin growing until fruiting begins, then switch over to 25% of the recommendation each week after fruiting begins. Feed your plants organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion or compost tea.
Watering Information Water the ground around your boysenberry plant often, but do not allow it to sit in water. Make sure that the soil is completely dry before watering again. If you have an irrigation system, use this to help create a moisture bar around your plant.
Like many other plants that are cultivated for their fruit, boysenberries require insect pollination to produce fruit . To guarantee pollination, hand-pollinate at least 2 weeks after flower buds begin forming by gently brushing male flowers with a soft paintbrush or cotton swab then transferring pollen from one flower to another on the same bush.
Boysenberries should be planted in areas where bees and other insects can easily reach them.
