Fruit Trees, Berries & Nuts by Kim Pezza

Fruit Trees, Berries & Nuts by Kim Pezza

Author:Kim Pezza [Pezza, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-57826-533-6
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Published: 2016-05-24T04:00:00+00:00


Harvesting and Storage

Harvesting time for raspberries comes when the berry has a deep color and can be removed easily from the bush. The fruit should be ripe and sweet. They are highly perishable and will easily mold at room temperature. If eating raw, store them in the refrigerator and eat quickly. Otherwise, they can be frozen in the same manner as the currant, as well as being made into jellies, pies, vinegars and even raspberry leaf tea (using the leaf of the plant).

Disease

Although maintaining a good level of care will limit disease in raspberries, even in the best of conditions problems can still arise. A few of the most common issues you may face with your raspberries are as follows:

Leaf Curl: Leaf curl is spread by aphids on the underside of the raspberry leaf. Signs of infestation include the leaves literally curling, with red raspberry leaves turning yellow and black raspberry leaves changing to a very dark, greasy-looking green. The canes may become brittle and the fruits seedy and crumbly. The virus has no known cure, and can kill an entire patch within a few years. Infected plants must be removed and burned; if it has to go to the garbage, make sure that you double bag the infected matter. This will give you an opportunity to save the surrounding plants.

To help in prevention of leaf curl, make sure that any tools used to remove or work with the infected berries are well cleaned before being used with uninfected or new stock. Little sticky cards (purchased at garden centers) will let you find out if you have an aphid problem, allowing you to eliminate them (usually with an insecticidal soap) before they can cause problems. Finally, when replacing old stock (or just starting out) try to use disease-resistant stock appropriate for your area. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, will also be of help.

Mosaic Virus: Mosaic virus can affect all raspberries. Spread by aphids, symptoms of the virus vary with berry variety, time of year and type of infection. In general, the shoots will blacken, canes will come in stunted and leafing will be delayed. Plant death will usually result within a few years.

Mosaic virus is difficult to control, and it only takes a few minutes for the virus to be transmitted. Preventing aphids may help slow the spread of the virus, but usually not by too much. Planting new bushes away from old or wild raspberries may also help. The best solution is usually to replace old stock with resistant varieties for your area.

It is important to note that since mosaic virus has similar symptoms to late spring frost damage and powdery mildew, your local nursery or extension office should be consulted to make sure that the diagnosis of mosaic virus is accurate.



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