Why swellings and growths form on raspberry shoots: how to act in a dangerous situation
Gardeners often notice that rounded thickenings or growths have appeared on young raspberry shoots.
This is nothing more than galls, or a sign that the plantings have been attacked by stem or shoot gall midges, explained the expert of the online publication Belnovosti, agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
Once inside the plant, the larvae of this pest secrete specific substances, which causes the cells to begin to divide faster and increase in size – this is how the gall appears.
These formations cause nutrients to no longer move freely, causing fruit buds to die and leaf blades to wither.
To combat the gall midge, part of the affected shoot should be cut off under the gall, above a healthy bud.
If growths are found at the base of the bush, the shoots will have to be cut out completely.
Before frost hits the ground, it is worth removing debris from the raspberry patch and carrying out eradication treatment using 3% ferrous sulfate.
In the spring, before the buds open, it is worth treating the raspberry patch again, this time with a 3% solution of copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture.
But that's not all - during the growing season it is also necessary to carry out treatment with an insecticide based on malathion. Spraying should take place twice - before and after flowering.
