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Berrymn
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« on: May 25, 2007, 11:52:13 am » |
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Q1--
I established a 36 plant patch last year from a cultivar I found in the wild. I have a two wire trellis with four 40 foot rows. The plant tips were pruned during the summer, and the branched bushes then looked pretty happy and strong last fall. This spring they shot up lots of new canes, and today the rows are getting pretty full and the plants are a lot taller and fuller than last year.
But I got few flowers this spring, and many bushes didn't flower at all. The crop came in early I think, and past its peak on July 22nd. I only got maybe 3 quarts total, and noticed that several of the lower bushes had died before the fruit was ripe.
Those I picked were not all sweet, but bigger juicy and tastier on the average than a nearby stand of healthy natives.
Is this normal for a new stand, or what should I do to get more fruit?
Q2--
The other question is, that something started to eat holes in the leaves during the spring, and to a certain extent is still at it. I sprayed at different times to control this, using Diazinon, Sevin, and Isotox. Some leaves have so many holes sections fall out. I inspected the leaves during the day and at night and with a glass, and never really saw what is doing it. I note that the plants didn't have any amount of any insect, and are not deseased at all except for a occasional leaf curl.
A1--
What you are experiencing is winter damage. In the northeast there are virtually no berries.
I try to discourage people from planting wild berry plants because they harbor many viruses and diseases. Cultivated varieties will usually out produce wild berries, but may not be as flavorfull.
In general, Blackberries are not sweet untill they are almost overripe. Blackberries will make excellent jam, but need icecream to eat fresh.
A2--
Your pest problem is probably worm related, try some more Sevin or Dipel.
NATE
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