Blackcaps prefer a loose textured, well drained soil. The limiting factor is, as with red raspberries, a high water table for long periods of time, especially during the winter months. Keeping this in mind, blackcaps thrive on most soil types. The blackcap raspberries grown commercially are native to the eastern and central states, making the blackcap cold hardy in most areas of the U.S.A.
Fertility:
Blackcaps prefer a naturally fertile soil. Soils high in organic matter always fall into this class. If commercial fertilizers are used, one should apply a well balanced blend, such as 5-10-5, in early spring. One half cup per plant is usually ample. The plants should be watered moderately during the growing season.
Planting Instructions:
One year old tip plants should be planted in March or April. Two year old transplants may be planted earlier, one inch deeper than the plant grew in the nursery. Any white sprouts arising from the crown should be covered with soil to prevent burning by the sun. The older stems or tops on transplants may be cut back several inches. Blackcaps should be spaced 3-4 feet in the row and 6-8 feet between rows.
Pruning and Training:
When one year old canes arising in the spring reach a height of 18-24 inches, they should be pinched off back 3 or 4 inches. This practice forces out strong fruiting laterals for next year's berry crop. No more attention is paid to the canes after pinching until time for pruning in late winter. During winter, the old two year old wood that fruited the previous summer is removed, and the laterals or branches that arose after summer pinching of the one year old canes may be shortened to about 12 inches. Of course, any weak canes may also be removed at this time. The properly pruned plant has a globe shape, Hedge appearance with the fruit occurring on the outside surface of the bush. Staking may be beneficial for the first crop of a new planting, but is not needed after that.
Superior Blackcap Raspberry Varieties
Munger:
(Black Raspberry) Developed in Ohio, Munger is a midseason bearer. Large, plump yet firm, shiny black berries that are not seedy. Munger has a delicious, sweet flavor that is excellent for jam, jellies, and preserves. Only satisfactory for freezing. Munger has stout canes that appear to be more resistant to Fungal Diseases than other raspberry varieties. Munger is the leading variety in the Pacific Northwest, Commercially and in the home garden. Very hardy.
Cumberland:
(Black Raspberry) Developed in Pennsylvania, Cumberland is a midseason bearer. Large, round, firm, glossy black berries that are never seedy. Excellent, sweet, rich, delicious flavor. Good quality. Excellent for freezing, jam, jellies, syrup, preserves and pies. Vigorous, strong, upright, heavily rooted plants. Cumberland is the leading variety in the Central and Northern region.
Royalty:
(Purple Raspberry) Developed at the Geneva Station in New York and introduced in 1982. Large, firm, round, very sweet purple berries. Royalty has a dual picking time. Full red stage with a real red raspberry flavor, or a later purple stage with a stronger, sweet purple raspberry flavor. High quality fruit that is good for fresh eating. The tartness of Royalty also make it good jams, jellies, and freezing. Vigorous, productive canes with only an occasional strong sucker. Royalty has multiple insect resistance, including immunity to the large Raspberry Aphid which transmit Mosaic Virus. Also resistant of raspberry fruit worms. Hardy is zone 4-8
Brandywine:
(Purple Raspberry) Developed at the New York Fruit Testing Cooperative Association in Geneva and introduced in 1976. Large, conic, firm, round, glossy reddish purple berries. Tart, pleasant tangy flavor, highly aromatic. Good for fresh eating. Unsurpassed for jams, jellies, and preserves. Tall vigorous canes, very thorny, strong and erect. Brandywine will not sucker like red raspberries. Best if propagated by tipping or tissue culture. Very winter hardy. Grows well in zones 4-9.
