Prime-Ark Horizon Blackberry: The Dual-Fruiting, High-Yielding Choice for Your Garden
Discover the groundbreaking Prime-Ark Horizon Blackberry (PPAF), the sixth primocane-fruiting variety from the renowned University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Engineered for exceptional performance in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9, particularly the mid to upper South, this variety promises a bountiful harvest of large, firm, and flavorful berries across an extended season. With impressive floricane potential and robust primocane production, Prime-Ark Horizon is a true game-changer for dedicated home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
Features
| Feature |
Detail |
| Origin & Breeding |
Sixth public primocane-fruiting variety from the University of Arkansas breeding program, developed and tested over 8+ years. |
| Dual-Fruiting Capability |
Offers both high floricane crop potential and substantial primocane fruiting. |
| Hardiness Zone Suitability |
Primarily suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9, with success in the mid to upper South. |
| Thorn Presence |
Thorny variety, but with significantly reduced thorn density on canes (45% less than Prime-Ark 45). |
| Berry Size (Floricane) |
Large, averaging 7.8g, with berries often up to 10g. |
| Berry Size (Primocane) |
Large, averaging 7.3g, with berries often up to 15g, showing greater size stability in summer heat. |
| Harvest Window (Floricane) |
Typically begins around June 12 and lasts approximately 40 days. |
| Harvest Window (Primocane) |
Averages August 4 and can extend until mid-October, offering over 60 days of fruiting. |
| Flavor Profile |
Consistently rated good with light aromatics, featuring a good sugar/acid balance (average 10% soluble solids, 0.9% titratable acidity). |
| Postharvest Quality |
Exceptional firmness retention, minimal leakage, and decay in storage, comparable to Prime-Ark 45. |
| Heat Tolerance |
Shows some heat tolerance, with no primocane double berries observed (common in Prime-Ark 45 due to heat). |
| Plant Health & Vigor |
Generally exhibits good health with no observed orange rust or anthracnose; high plant vigor is expected. |
| Winter Hardiness |
Comparable to Ouachita, with very limited injury observed down to 1˚ F. |
Benefits
| Benefit |
How It Helps You |
| High & Consistent Yields |
Enjoy abundant harvests with floricane yields exceeding 30,000 lb./acre and reliable primocane crops (3,000-9,000 lb./acre), ensuring a rewarding and productive growing experience. |
| Extended Fresh Berry Season |
Benefit from a prolonged fruiting period, harvesting floricane berries from early June and primocane berries from early August until mid-October, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruit for over four months. |
| Superior Berry Quality |
Harvest large, firm berries (up to 15g) that maintain excellent size stability even in summer heat, offering a consistently good flavor with a balanced sweetness and acidity perfect for fresh eating or processing. |
| Excellent Storage Potential |
Preserve your harvest with confidence; these berries exhibit exceptional firmness retention, minimal leakage, and low decay rates in storage, rivaling the best commercial varieties. |
| Enhanced Heat Resilience |
Grow with greater success in warmer climates thanks to the variety's heat tolerance, which helps prevent common issues like primocane double berries often seen in other types. |
| Easier Harvesting & Management |
Experience less discomfort during harvest due to canes with 45% fewer thorns than Prime-Ark 45, making plant care and fruit picking more pleasant. |
| Proven Reliability & Disease Resistance |
Cultivate with peace of mind knowing this variety has been extensively tested by the University of Arkansas and shows strong resistance to common diseases like orange rust and anthracnose. |
Specifications
| Specification |
Detail |
| Product Name |
Prime-Ark Horizon Blackberry (PPAF) |
| SKU |
1385-12 |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
6-9 |
| Plant Size (Shipped) |
12 cm pot |
| Floricane Berry Weight (Avg.) |
7.8 g (up to 10g) |
| Primocane Berry Weight (Avg.) |
7.3 g (up to 15g) |
| Average Soluble Solids Content |
10% (ranging 9-11%) |
| Average Titratable Acidity |
0.9% (ranging 0.8-1%) |
| Floricane First Harvest |
Approx. June 12 |
| Floricane Harvest Duration |
Approx. 40 days |
| Primocane First Harvest |
Avg. August 4 |
| Primocane Harvest Duration |
Over 60 days (up to mid-October) |
| Estimated Chilling Requirement |
Approximately 300 hours (unknown precisely) |
| Thorn Density on Canes |
45% lower than Prime-Ark 45 |
Usage & Fit Guidance
- Optimal Growing Environment: Best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9, with demonstrated success in the mid to upper South.
- Cane & Crop Management: Due to high plant vigor and yield potential, diligent cane management and pruning are strongly advised to balance crops and ensure consistent production, especially in the first year of floricane fruiting.
- Heat Considerations: While showing good heat tolerance, be aware that temperatures consistently above 90°F can occasionally lead to primocane flower death.
- Winter Protection: Exhibits good winter hardiness comparable to Ouachita, tolerating temperatures as low as 1°F with limited injury.
Ideal For
- The Dedicated Home Gardener: Perfect for those who value fresh, high-quality berries and enjoy cultivating high-performing, scientifically developed plant varieties.
- Small-Scale Commercial Growers: An excellent choice for producers seeking high-yield potential from both primocane and floricane crops for an extended market season.
- Growers in Warmer Climates: Ideal for gardens and farms in the mid to upper South (USDA Zones 6-9) looking for blackberry varieties with improved heat tolerance.
- Berry Enthusiasts: For those who prioritize large, firm berries with a balanced, good flavor for fresh consumption, baking, or preserving.
- Efficiency-Minded Cultivators: Appeals to those who appreciate reduced thorn density on canes for easier management and harvesting.
Policy & Support
| Policy Type |
Detail |
| Contact Information |
(479)846-6030 |
| Email Support |
berriesunlimitedusa@gmail.com |
| Address |
807 Cedar Lane Prairie Grove, AR 72753 United States of America |
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