More pictures

Thorny bushes. These were transplanted last year. I thought they were dead but flourished and bore huge berries. I'm excited to see what they do this year! Should they be thinned out?

Thorny up close

Thornless plants

I got a blackberry bush last summer also. Grew tall andhad some big berries first year. Did not think you had to tie them up? Thot they were like raspberries. I can understand why though. The plant is hangin all over! Interested in an answer

I think the point in training them to the trellis is to control how they grow and to make berry picking easier. Also the canes are not strong enough to support all the fruit it makes. I had some canes last year just laying in the grass and the fruit ruined. Those things grow like crazy, I had to pull some canes out of the ground because they had rooted and shot up more plants 4-5 feet away in my grass.

I think the point in training them to the trellis is to control how they grow and to make berry picking easier. Also the canes are not strong enough to support all the fruit it makes. I had some canes last year that got so heavy they just laid in the grass and the fruit ruined. Those things grow like crazy too!, I had to pull some canes out of the ground because they had rooted and shot up more plants 4-5 feet away in my grass.

Sorry for the double post!

Your canes are fine; no need to prune out more this year. My canes are 5 to 10 times denser than yours and they do fine.

My first impression of your heavy posts is that you could attach horizontal wood and plant kiwis!

Lookin' good!

Scott

What varieties do you have? I planted an Apache thornless this fall and have a natchez thornless in a pot to plant when the ground thaws.

I'm really not sure. Unfortunately, I didn't pay much attention when I bought them. I wish I would have.