Thornless blackberry canes break at ground level - Ask Extension
Hello: Some of my thornless blackberries will completely break and fall over at ground level. These are green otherwise healthy canes (younger) that...
Knowledgebase
Thornless blackberry canes break at ground level #871665
Asked June 05, 2024, 9:08 AM EDT
Hello: Some of my thornless blackberries will completely break and fall over at ground level. These are green otherwise healthy canes (younger) that just flop over and then wilt/die. They come out of the ground with a mild tug after breaking over.
It doesn't affect too many of my canes but enough to warrant my question.
thanks
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Thanks for your question. Are the canes more thin/spindly? (Not as vigorous?)
If so, it could be raspberry crown borer...or raspberry cane borer. Both of these cause the canes to break/wilt and die.
From Utah State: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-rasp-crown-borer
U of Minnesota: https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2021/10/raspberry-cane-borers-what-you-can-do.html
Raspberry cane borer tends to be more in the middle of the cane, but raspberry crown borer is at the base.
Essentially the best control is to continue to remove them and put the cane(s) in the trash - not in the compost. As you've indicated, it's a limited number of canes and the healthy canes should produce fruit this summer.
Thanks for your question. Are the canes more thin/spindly? (Not as vigorous?)
If so, it could be raspberry crown borer...or raspberry cane borer. Both of these cause the canes to break/wilt and die.
From Utah State: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-rasp-crown-borer
U of Minnesota: https://blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.umn.edu/2021/10/raspberry-cane-borers-what-you-can-do.html
Raspberry cane borer tends to be more in the middle of the cane, but raspberry crown borer is at the base.
Essentially the best control is to continue to remove them and put the cane(s) in the trash - not in the compost. As you've indicated, it's a limited number of canes and the healthy canes should produce fruit this summer.
Thank you!!
I will examine for closely and look for borer holes..
Guy
On 6/5/2024 12:20 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
