Thunderhead Blackberries

There's a new variety, developed by the USDA plant breeding extension in Oregon.

It's called Thunderhead.

Here are the described features:

- primocane fruiting
- erect upright growth habit
- semi-thornless, with thorns up to 3' or less, with fruit bearing on the thornless portion of the canes
- Firm flesh suitable for shipping on a medium-large berry
- balanced, excellent flavor
- small seeds compared to other erect primocane blackberries
- extremely productive
- consistency of high quality fruit is very high

Here's more info:
https://journals.ashs.org/view/journals/hortsci/60/8/article-p1366.xml

Thing is, I tried buying some this year and every vendor was sold out. Among berry enthusiasts, this variety has been hyped like no other berry I've ever seen, and they were snatched up quickly.

However, I discovered that Pense Berry Farm is taking pre-orders right now, and they have great prices, and I had a good experience with them this year. They didn't have Thunderhead available when I purchased 15 blackberry plants and some other stuff from them this spring, nor did they have them available until about a week ago.

I just placed an order for a bunch more stuff from them, and I added 6 Thunderhead plants to the order. I'm pretty stoked to have found a source.

Here's the link:

https://penseberryfarm.com/products/thunderhead-primocane-fruiting-blackberry?_pos=1&_psq=thunderhead+&_psid=adb493634&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Here are a couple other vendors who offer the variety, even if they're sold out right now

https://raintreenursery.com/products/thunderhead-blackberry?srsltid=AfmBOoqHpUtviBFVHJ737GtIYsDjvHcljyqS2c-YT-O8p68TWgvV10wC

https://mayagardensinc.com/products/thunderhead-blackberry-plant?srsltid=AfmBOooKYSx1v0moHFfh5q1A8ogNfTfVsWKxyy5_bMj4yD4kY1Grc86B

Raintree is expensive, but I've gotten great plants from them a couple of times.

Haven't shopped with Maya Garden, so I can't say how that will go.

Anybody else have them in the ground already, or also wanting to try them?

Primocane fruiting on an erect type is interesting. Most of the primocane options I've looked at are trailing or semi-erect, so having something upright that doesn't need a trellis would be a nice change. Any idea if it's available to buy yet or still trial-only?

Joao Winckler wrote:Primocane fruiting on an erect type is interesting. Most of the primocane options I've looked at are trailing or semi-erect, so having something upright that doesn't need a trellis would be a nice change. Any idea if it's available to buy yet or still trial-only?

You can purchase at Pense (link above) for next year, and Raintree might restock next year. The other vendor I linked above I have no experience with.

It's pretty new, but is gaining steam. I expect a few more vendors to pick it up next year, but I can't say who will or won't.