Prime-Ark Horizon PP34,867 6-pack

Prime-Ark Horizon PP34,867

The Prime-Ark® Horizon blackberry (Rubus ‘Prime-Ark Horizon’) is a primocane-fruiting (everbearing) variety known for its thornless canes, large fruit size, and good flavor. It was released by the University of Arkansas in 2022. The patent number you provided, PP34,867, confirms its unique cultivar status. 

Plant Characteristics:

• Primocane-Fruiting (Everbearing): Prime-Ark® Horizon fruits on both first-year canes (primocanes) in the late summer and fall and on second-year canes (floricanes) in the early summer, providing a long harvest season.
• Thornless Canes: This variety is thornless, making harvesting and pruning much easier.
• Growth Habit: Prime-Ark® Horizon has an erect growth habit, meaning its canes grow upright and generally don’t require trellising. However, some support might be beneficial, especially when laden with fruit.
• Size: Prime-Ark® Horizon blackberry plants typically reach a height of 4-6 feet.
• Hardiness: It is considered hardy in USDA Zones 6-9.
• Disease Resistance: This variety has good resistance to common blackberry diseases.
• Productivity: It is a productive variety, with good yields on both primocanes and floricanes.
• Plant Vigor: It’s known for having good plant vigor, which can be beneficial for overall plant health and fruit production. 

Fruit Characteristics:

• Size: The berries are large, similar in size to other popular thornless varieties like ‘Ouachita’.
• Flavor: Prime-Ark® Horizon blackberries are known for their excellent, sweet flavor.
• Firmness: The berries are firm, making them suitable for fresh eating, shipping, and processing.
• Ripening Time:
  • Primocane crop ripens in late summer and fall.
  • Floricane crop ripens in early summer. 

Growing Conditions in Florida:

• Climate: Prime-Ark® Horizon blackberries thrive in Florida’s warm, humid climate, particularly in the northern and central regions.
• Sunlight: They require full sun for optimal fruit production.
• Soil: They prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage.
• Watering: Regular and consistent watering is essential, especially during the growing season and during fruit development.
• Fertilizing: They benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees, especially during the active growing season.
• Pests and Diseases: Monitor for common fruit tree pests and diseases and address them promptly.
• Pruning: For a larger primocane crop (fall crop), prune all canes down to the ground in late winter. For two crops, prune out only the floricanes (second-year canes) after they have fruited in early summer. 

Considerations for Florida Gardeners:

• Heat Tolerance: This variety is considered heat-tolerant and should perform well in Florida’s climate.
• Cold Protection: While it is cold-hardy, young plants should be protected from frost in colder parts of Florida.
• Watering: More frequent watering may be needed in sandy soils. 

In Summary:

The Prime-Ark® Horizon blackberry is an excellent choice for Florida gardeners seeking a thornless, everbearing blackberry with large, flavorful fruit. Its dual-fruiting nature extends the harvest season, making it a particularly desirable variety.