To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Borers in blackberries
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:36:30 -0600
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