Black Berries and Miracle Grow

Discussion in 'Soils, Fertilizers and Composting' started by livnlet, Apr 20, 2007.

  1. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    I recently planted two Blackberry Bushes and before I could react my husband dumped a whole bag of Houseplant soil into the bed that had a 3 month lasting fertilizer in it. I think it was miracle grow. He did it because it was around to "ammend the soil". Argg

    The Bushes are doing wonderful, blooming and setting berries.
    I wanted to grow them organically. Now that is out of the window.
    Will they be safe to eat??

    Thanks all,

    Liz
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Yes.
     
  3. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Thanks Ron.
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Won't be organic, but shouldn't have been made toxic as with a systemic insecticide. Only thing would be if there was an incidental systemic contamination from something unexpected being in the product. Since it's packaged and sold as a fertilizer only it's not supposed to have pesticidal properties.
     
  5. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Thanks Ron, I don't have any pesticide around so there won't be any danger that some might be applied :)
    Will fishoil be ok?
    I think I am going to have to do a search for organic feeding and pestcontrol.

    Liz
     
  6. L.BUNDY

    L.BUNDY Member

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    Got A ?also About Black Berries I Bought 2 Plants In Feb. I Put Them Out In Topsoil And Mulch Mixture In Full Sunlight They Have Not Budded At All Are They Dead Or Do The Bud Out Later.
    Thanks Leslie
     
  7. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Hi Leslie,

    I am planting blackberry's for the first time. I would believe that they will bud.
    I bought mine already blooming and they are setting berry's.
    It has been quite warm here in texas maybe that is why. I hope they will survive the summer heat here.
    I attached some images.

    Liz
     

    Attached Files:

  8. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Hi Ron,
    Another question.
    My husband put weed and feed on the lawn. He tried to keep it about a foot away from my blackberry plants. I sure hope it did not poison them.
    Leslie, the berry's that I have are a "Cheyenne" and a "Rosborough" Blackberry.

    Thanks,
    Liz
     
  9. jimweed

    jimweed Active Member 10 Years

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    Hi Livnlet, after reading your posts, I must comment for someone who has no pesticides around and wants to grow organically, your husband must be your gardens worst nightmare!

    Good luck, Jim.
    ps, your weed and feed will likely contain 2,4-D and mecoprop, neither of these can be uptaken by the roots to infect your blackberries.
     
  10. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Hi Jim,

    Thanks for the reply. I am baning everything that has chemicals in it.
    I bought some organic food for flowers and berry's. Smells like sheep poo. (I used to have to gather that as a kid after the shepheard went past our house)
    Hubby is just a slow learner LOL
    Or maybe just hard headed. Even after 40 years I have not tamed him. :)
    But he is coming around to the organic idea.
    He just did not want to "waste" anything.

    Liz
     
  11. L.BUNDY

    L.BUNDY Member

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    LIVNLET
    thanks for the photos i got dead ones i ordered they came not to happy i guess.
     
  12. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Hopefully they will start sprouting soon.
    I got mine from Home Depot Garden Center.

    Good luck.

    Liz
     
  13. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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  14. L.BUNDY

    L.BUNDY Member

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    Livlet mine are kiowa blackberry and apache thornless and they only look like twigs in the dirt all my blueberrys and rasberries are pretty!
     
  15. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Ron,

    Thanks for the link. That does not sound to reasuring.
    Will the berries habe the ability to uptake the weed and feed even if it is about a foot away?
    It rained this moring and I guess it washed it into the soil.
    Darn, I wish he did not use that.

    Thanks,
    Liz
     
  16. jimweed

    jimweed Active Member 10 Years

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    Your weed and feed should contain 2,4-D and Mecoprop. These herbicides will not be taken up by the roots.

    Ron's link refers to Picloram and Clopyralid, these are not used in lawn care ever! Even though this Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott seems to think they are. These chemicals are for agricultural and ranch land uses. Picloram has a 5yr residual in the soil and will prevent broadleaf weeds from germinating in well established ranch grasses, now apply it on your sensitive turf grasses and they're not going to do so well. Clopyralid is used to control broadleaf weeds in agricultural vegetables like Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage and some berries, and is safe for human consumption. Use this as a lawncare herbicide, I don't think so. Sorry Dr. Scott.

    I think Ron is just trying to scare you Livnlet, a little weed and feed around your berry bushes is harmless, and will you even get berries this year? I am not sure if Blackberry's grow on 1st year growth. I'd bet they wouldn't if you had Picloram or Clopyralid applied under them.

    Hoping your berry's are fine! Jim.
     
  17. livnlet

    livnlet Active Member

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    Hi Jim,

    Thanks for the information.
    It sounds a little more reasuring. Yes the blackberries are already caring berries.
    Look at the pictures that I posted.
    I will be more careful in the future with chemicals.

    Thanks,
    Liz aka livnlet
     

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