Features
What Do Organic Growers Do About Fruit Troubles?
It is heartbreaking to spend a year looking after fruit bushes only to end up with a diseased or maggoty crop. Healthy plants are more likely to produce healthy fruit and all fruit will thrive on a soil rich in organic matter. A free draining soil is another essential.
Raspberries
One of the most unpleasant pests on raspberries is the raspberry beetle. It appears soon after the canes begin to flower. Its arrival can be difficult to spot so gardeners regularly troubled by this pest would be wise to dust the plants with derris every ten days or so, commencing about a week after flowering. But remember the effect of derris on bees so wait till the bees have gone to bed before applying.
Aphids can be another problem on fruit bushes, including raspberries. They make the fruit rather messy but at least they don't destroy the crop. However there is always the danger that they may be carrying an incurable plant virus so it's best to remove them. Soapy water or nettles soaked in water overnight will deal with them.
Blackcurrents
Big bud gall mite is the serious problem with blackcurrants because it carries the reversion virus. If you are planting new bushes be sure to use only certified stock as it can be bought in.
A traditional remedy for controlling the mite is lime-sulphur, used at a strength of 2%. Timing of the application is vital as you need to catch the pest before it gets into the new buds. So apply just before and after flowering. Mixing derris with pyrethrum is an effective alternative treatment. Diseased bushes should be removed and destroyed.
Leaf spot is a problem caused by too much nitrogen. If it is really bad it can defoliate your bushes. The fallen leaves should be burnt and the plants sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Don't apply any more manure for at least a year and don't use any foliar feed that contains nitrogen.
Gooseberries
Despite there being numerous mildew resistant varieties, the disease is a common problem. Regular spraying with bicarbonate of soda (bread soda) in water at the rate of 0.25% will prevent mildew. Begin spraying on the first calm day in March.
Strawberries
Probably the most popular fruit with gardeners, the greatest danger to the strawberry crop is grey mould or botrytis. Some varieties such as Cambridge Favourite are more resistant than others but in a wet season the disease can be devastating. A mulch will avoid soil splash and keep your plants drier. And be careful when you are watering not to wet the foliage.
However as it is the heavy rain or hail that does the most damage you might consider covering your plants with a cloche during flowering. But be sure to allow the crop adequate ventilation or you might end up with even worse problems. A traditional remedy for this disease is to spray the crop with two ounces of waterglass mixed in a gallon of water. An even better remedy is a dry spring and a good summer!
Gillian Westbrook has been appointed to the new position of
General Manager with IOFGA. Coming from a background in the regulatory area...
