posted
For the last three years the small patch of raspberry plants I have has been afflicted with a wilt that affect the growing shoot tip. When the plants are about 12-18 inches high, the main growing shoot droops over and eventually shrivels up an dies. The rest of the plant seems to survive but the crop is drastically reduced. I have checked google for raspberry diseases but found nothing that sounds like this. Does anyone have an identification for me, or a course of treatment? My guess would be a fungal or viral infection so I have been pruning off the diseased shoots in the hope of stimulating the lateral shoots.
Plants: 3 | From: Montreal | Registered: Jun 2004
| Seeded: 69.70.74.216
posted
Wilting of just the tips probably indicates caneborers. On close examination, you might be able to see 2 rows of punctures about 1 inch apart at the top of the cane. The adult is a black and yellow beetle, 1/2 inch long, which lays an egg between the rows of punctures. A small grub hatches from the egg and burrows toward the base of the cane. To destroy this larva, cut off the wilted tips a few inches below the lower row of punctures and burn them.
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.84.140
posted
Thanks Terry, You were spot on. I've seen the beetles around the raspberries and after looking at the wilted shoots carefully there are three obvious rings of bite marks below the main shoot. Where I have trimmed off the damaged shoots there are now strong healthy side shoots coming in.
Here's a photo of the damage. This is a large obvious one, some of the others are smaller. Sometimes the cane breaks at one of the rings of damage.
Here's a (fuzzy) photo of one of the little b***ers in action.
Plants: 3 | From: Montreal | Registered: Jun 2004
| Seeded: 69.70.74.216
Thank~You for that picture!!!! I have never seen that culprit, but I must have that bug here! I have cane's on my wild raspberries doing the very same thing...
I was even going to post that post too, but was wondering on the wording of it, to discribe if it wasn't common.....
THANKS FOR THE HELP! (I've always said, "It only takes ONE gardener to know the answer and that one gardener may be YOU!!) Thanks Again! Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
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