Raspberry bushes can suffer from diseases that limit fruit production.
Several diseases cause raspberry bushes to develop yellow leaves with a mottled or speckled appearance. Once you identify diseased plants, control measures can help limit the problem so fruit production gets back to normal. Does this Spark an idea?
Description
The mosaic disease consists of more than one virus that affects raspberry plants. Some of the symptoms include yellowing leaves mottled with yellow or pale green spots. Another disease, raspberry streak, affects black raspberry plants. The leaves appear yellow along the veins while appearing mottled throughout the rest of the leaves.
Damage
Plants infected with mosaic disease appear more stunted each growing season. Reduced fruit yield and dying canes are also common. Raspberry streak disease causes the leaves to twist and roll while the fruits stay small and lack flavor. The fruit also looks blotched.
Control
Choosing disease-resistant plants helps keep problems to a minimum. Removing all plants showing virus symptoms can keep the virus from moving to healthy plants. Since aphids often help spread disease, getting rid of the tiny insects right before you pull the infected plants helps stop the disease.
Tags: fruit production, mosaic disease, plants helps, raspberry plants