I have had raspberry bush... - Ask Extension
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...
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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.
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.
