North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jimfruth@charter.net>]

   As many of you know, I sell black raspberry plants.  We've all heard of 
frequently asked questions and the one I hear most often is, "I heard that 
black raspberries and red raspberries shouldn't be planted close to each 
other; why is that?"

   I'm still wondering.  Who could have possibly started/spread that rumor 
and why?

   What I tell customers is, "If you are going to plant bird-planted 
seedlings, you could get black/red crossed plants."  I test most of my 
seedlings and occasionally one yields purple fruit but I can't see how that 
might be a problem with most people.

   One other possibility is that cane borer infestations are less likely to 
be noticed among reds because of the multitude of canes and could become a 
problem in the blacks (blacks typically have fewer canes).

   None of my customers could tell from whom they heard the rumor or why. 
Please; would you venture a guess?

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Farm
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
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