North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Kieran &/or Donna" <holycow@frontiernet.net>]

Deb asked where we all were.  I was outside in pretty weather after months 
of chill and clouds.  I have noted that several of my Kiowa blackberries 
have died entirely without my having noticed due to the crowd of Jerusalem 
artichokes plants.  The redneck borers have done a certain amount of dirty 
work every year, and probably half the existing canes are infested this year 
too.  I read that they are a big problem for commercial blackberry growers. 
Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if we hadn't already had a lot of wild 
blackberries on hand.  There is just one plant that looks really good, no 
borers in any of the canes.  I can't figure it out.  Any notions on the 
behavior of these critters?  Do they go for stems with more or less shade, 
or more or less nitrogen?   I got a few plants of 2 thornless varieties and 
they haven't been as vigorous or productive as the Kiowas.  Thanks.
Donna Z6 Tenn