Blackberry Propagation without thorns

Hey guys, I'm selling blackberry canes on eBay and would like to pick the thorns off before selling so they don't stab thru the package. Will that affect propagation, such as inviting disease?

Hi Almond,

I think you could do that if you "dethorned" the canes several weeks before cutting them so the wound could heal.  I suspect that taking them off after cutting would allow them to dry out too much and would provide a pathway for disease since it's basically an open wound on a plant very much weakened.

Thank you Sherry!

Sherry Willis wrote:Hi Almond,

I think you could do that if you "dethorned" the canes several weeks before cutting them so the wound could heal.  I suspect that taking them off after cutting would allow them to dry out too much and would provide a pathway for disease since it's basically an open wound on a plant very much weakened.

I should add that the plants need to be actively growing rather than dormant for the wounds to heal.