Loganberry: care, origin & planting

The loganberry "Loganberry") is a rather unknown cross of two native species. Here you can find out everything about planting and caring for this exotic plant.

The loganberry (Rubus × loganobaccus) is a coincidental species hybrid (i.e. a cross between two species) raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus sectio Rubus), which is rather unknown in this country, but is very popular in the USA. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the history of the loganberry, how it is planted and propagated, and of course about proper care.

Loganberry: origin and history

The loganberry came about by chance in the 19th century. Century in the garden of the Californian judge and gardener James Harvey Logan, when he was trying to grow a new variety of blackberries. However, he did not pay attention to the raspberry planted next door, which happened to be mixed with the blackberry (Rubus sectio Rubus) crossed. While planting out Logan realized that it had to be a cross-species hybrid, as the new berry had the properties of both blackberries and raspberries. Growth and fruit size were similar to that of blackberries, but the color and appearance of the fruit were very much like those of the raspberry. So the loganberry was born. Initially, this was still quite unknown, but soon it became increasingly popular both in commercial production and with hobby gardeners. Because it is not only rich in vitamins and tasty, but also more robust and resilient than conventional ones Raspberry varieties and Blackberry varieties.

Loganberry: characteristics & similar species

In the following we have put together a small overview of the characteristics of the loganberry and similar species.

Loganberry (Rubus × loganobaccus): Loganberries are on the one hand robust against frost and drought and disease-resistant, but on the other hand they are prickly and extremely vigorous, which can make harvesting significantly more difficult. The taste profile results in a combination of raspberry and blackberry, which is pleasantly mild and tasty.

Tayberry (Rubus fruticosus x Rubusidaeus): The Tayberry, also a hybrid of blackberry and raspberry, comes from Scotland and makes hardly any demands on the soil, but is prone to waterlogging. The berries are elongated, dark red and have a sweet-sour taste that is most reminiscent of a raspberry. More information about the Tayberry can be found in this special article.

Youngberry (Rubus caesius 'Youngberry'): The youngberry is also a hybrid of blackberry and raspberry and is therefore a close relative of the loganberry. The berries are juicy, fleshy and very sweet, but have the disadvantage that they can only be stored for three to four days.

Buy loganberry

Loganberries and their related species can be found all over the Internet, but by the noticeable number Gaining popularity with the gardener or your nursery is very likely Trust. When buying, you should note that the planting material comes from a region with a similar or the same climate, which guarantees good adaptability to your garden. It is also important that you - if possible - get healthy planting material that has been tested for bacteria and viruses. Pay attention to the new, still white roots of the berries on the edge of the pot. If these are visible, the plant has the best prerequisites for growing quickly.

Plant loganberries

The loganberry is not only similar to its two relatives, raspberry and blackberry, but also in terms of location, requirements and planting. You will of course still receive detailed instructions on how to plant the loganberry below.

Loganberry: location and demands

The loganberry makes very few demands on the respective location. The only important thing here is to ensure that the plant is not in the blazing sun. It prefers sunny to partially shaded locations. If the plant is completely in the shade, yield losses can be expected, but this does not harm the plant itself. The soil should be dry to fresh. Good ventilation and a high humus content are important here to ensure maximum yield and healthy plant growth.

Planting loganberries: timing and procedure

Loganberries can theoretically be planted all year round, as long as temperatures are not below freezing point. The best season for planting, however, is autumn, as the roots can build up well over the winter months.

But now to practice: Find a sunny to partially shaded location and dig a hole that is about 5 to 10 cm larger than your pot on each side. Loosen up the soil - our Plantura is particularly suitable as a substrate Organic tomato & vegetable soil. This is ideal not only for vegetables, but also for soft fruits.

If you have heavy loamy or clayey soil, it is advisable to loosen it up with a little sand or gravel. Put in the berry bush and fill in the rest with the mixed soil. Now press the fresh soil loosely and pour the bushes properly. When planting, keep a distance of about two meters between the individual shrubs, as these are extremely vigorous.

Summary: Planting loganberries

• Dig a hole
• Mix, loosen and enrich the soil
• Insert the berry bush
• Top up with mixed soil
• Pour thoroughly

Tip: A wall or a wire frame (trellis) is best suited as a scaffolding for berry bushes of all kinds, as it is important to tie in the tendrils once a year. But you will find out more about this later in the article.

Propagate loganberries

The simplest way of propagating the loganberry is by pulling downs. To do this, choose the shoot tip of a long vine in spring or late autumn, bend it carefully to the ground and bury part of the vine in the ground. But be careful: the tip of the shoot must still protrude from the ground. The sunken plant will now take root by autumn or through winter and it can be easily separated from the mother plant. This can now be replanted at any point.

Maintain loganberries

The care of the loganberry is relatively easy and takes little time due to its horse nature and disease resistance. Now, let's learn more about how to keep your berries happy.

Pour loganberry

The loganberry is extremely robust and only needs to be watered in exceptional cases and in very dry locations. Too much water, especially in heavy soils such as loam or clay, could cause waterlogging, which can lead to the roots killing off.

Fertilize loganberry

The logan berries are best fertilized in autumn after harvest and in spring before budding. Bark mulch in combination with our Plantura is best here Organic universal fertilizer, which has the decisive advantage of ensuring a long-term effect and thus optimally supplying the plant with nutrients.

Cut loganberry

Since the loganberry is extremely vigorous and the tendrils can grow up to five meters in length in a year, it is important to cut them regularly. Therefore, thin out the tendrils a little over the course of the growing season in order to create a well-ventilated foliage wall.

It is best to cut off the approximately two-year-old tendrils or all diseased and stunted tendrils above the ground after the harvest. Dispose of them immediately to prevent diseases and pests. It is important that you do not throw the diseased plant material on the compost, otherwise the pathogen can spread. If you have forgotten the cut, it is still possible to make it up until the end of February. The young shoots can be tied to the wire frame immediately afterwards. The wire frame enables upright and even growth, which in turn facilitates all work steps.

Loganberry: Common diseases and pests

The berry bushes are usually extremely robust and healthy. Aphids, blackberry rust and gall mites can still occur if the plants are weakened. One of the main enemies of fruit crops is the gray rot fungus (Botrytis), which occurs when moisture builds up in the foliage and spreads to the tendrils. If your plant is infested, cut out the affected tendrils generously and dispose of the dead wood.

More detailed information on the care and prevention of Diseases in berry bushes You will find here.

Loganberry: ingredients and recipe

The loganberries are juicy, sweet and have a high content of vitamin C and trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus. These ingredients are important for the health of your skin, teeth and bones. In addition, vitamin C inhibits free radicals, which can damage the cell. Just like vitamin C, anthocyanins, the plant pigments they contain, protect cells and inhibit radicals. These properties make the berries a popular “superfood”.

The loganberries can be used in many ways: They are suitable for direct consumption, as a topping for cakes, overcooked to make jam, stirred into yoghurt or made into ice cream. Simply use the loganberry as a substitute for raspberries and blackberries in conventional recipes to give them a special touch. Here we present our favorite Loganberry recipe:

Poppy seed cake with loganberry cream

• 120 g butter
• 60 g of sugar
• 5 eggs
• 120 g of sugar
• 90 g grated nuts
• 1 - 2 sachets of vanilla sugar
• 190 g poppy seeds (grated)
• 2 tips of baking powder
• rum

Mix the butter, sugar and egg yolk until frothy and then add the vanilla sugar, baking powder, flour, poppy seeds, a pinch of salt and rum. Mix the whole thing well. Beat the egg whites into snow and carefully fold in the nuts. Finally stir the two masses together and place in a buttered, floured baking pan at 180 ° C for approx. 30 min. to bake.

If you are still interested in special berries you should definitely stop by this article here.