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I have had raspberry bush... #270126

Asked August 14, 2015, 12:29 PM EDT

I have had raspberry bushes for 6 years The plants look healthy but produce no berries. Over the last 6 years I have moved the raspberries once to change location, taken all except one plant out and bought new ones 3 years ago and replaced some of the soil with manure compost. I had the soil tested 3 weeks ago. That tested fine. Still no berries, or really no healthy berries A few misshaped berries or flowers. In the spring early I put 10-10-10, otherwise no other fertilizer or sprays. I do have the Trugreen company spray our lawn I've been told that will not harm the fruit production. I cannot figure it out About 30 feet away, my neighbor does have raspberries and does not have his lawn sprayed.

Kenosha County Wisconsin

Expert Response

It's difficult to make a definitive diagnosis from a distance, especially in something that may have many factors at work. I suspect it is a virus or some other problem in the canes. Here is a link to a site that may help you narrow down the possibilities: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1219.html

It is not likely the lawn care (depending on what chemicals exactly they are spraying), since the plants themselves seem to be vigourous. Poor fruit shape can be a result of poor pollination, which could be a result of insecticides killing off local pollinators (but if your neighbour's berries are fine, and/or if you have other fruit in your garden that are fine, this is less likely). Sometimes over-fertilization can result in lots of green growth and less fruit. Raspberries don't need a lot of fertilizer... working in a few inches of compost every summer should be fine.

Sorry I can't be more precise: you can see there could be many reasons involved. You might contact a local garden club or master gardeners association to see if there's anyone local who could come and have a look at your yard etc.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 17, 2015, 4:14 PM EDT

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