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It is very important that you up-pot your plant to a larger container as soon as possible when it arrives. Your plant's new container should have a couple of drainage holes, and should be at least a couple gallons larger than the nursery pot. Check out our up-potting video for detailed instructions on how to ensure a happy healthy new home for your plant.
Loganberries are self-fertile, so they do not require a pollinator. That being said, they will produce a more pleantiful harvest if they have a friend blooming around the same time.
Loganberries need a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight per day. Sufficient sun exposure triggers the initiation of new flower buds for the next growing season, without which there will be no fruit. Fruit ripening and flavor development are also benefited by the carbohydrate production stimulated by the sun, as well as it’s heat.
Loganberries are prone to leaf scorch, or damage to the fruit if they are left in extremely hot temperatures, in direct sunlight, with insufficient water. Make sure that your blackberries recieve enough water, and move them to a semi-shaded area if you notice leaf-scorching
Loganberries should be watered deeply once to twice a week. Water until the soil is saturated and water comes out of the drainage holes. Let the container dry until the soil is dry to the touch 1 inch down. During particularly hot temperatures, your plant may need water every other day.
Your plant should have come with both a compressed potting soil, and a soluable fast-acting plant food. Fertilize your plant once in spring (during re-potting can be a great time) by mixing ½ tablespoon of fertilizer with ½ gallon of water, and again at the end of spring.
Loganberries are brambles and can get pretty messy and overwhelming if they go unchecked. To keep them managable, cut your blackberry bush almost to the ground in late fall after the first year if it is becoming too chaotic in it's growth. Don't panic! By late spring it will be about 3-4 feet tall again.
In late spring, once your loganberry bush has sprung back to size, cut 6 inches off the tip of each cane. The cane will produce branches and then flowers which in August and September in the Northwest will give you loads of delicious medium-to-large, firm, sweet berries.
Loganberry bushes are happy to stay outside in winter, unprotected, down to temperatures as low as -15°. During winter, the loganberry bush goes dormant and doesn't require regular watering or fertilizing.
If you are experiencing particularly cold temps, group all your plants together and cover them with bags of leaves or old burlap sacks. If your winters are extensively long and cold, consider bringing your apple tree into an unheated garage for it's first winter.
Loganberries ripen on-the-vine, and you know that they are ready to be picked when they come easily off the stem without much prompting. They should almost fall into your hand if you give them a little tickle. If your loganberries are still firm, or taking their stems with them when picked, they need another week or so. They will likely still be quite red, so don't wait for them to turn black.
Your fruit isn't just delicious for you, lots of other critters would be happy to get their hands on your hard work. Pests and diseases vary greatly depending on region, so we suggest you take advantage of your local resources. If you can't determine what is ailing your plant by googling the symptoms, give a call to your local county agricultural extension office.
