White spots on raspberries: what is it, how to process, reason, photo

White spots on raspberries most often appear in the heat. If they are visible only on berries, most likely this is due only to drought, so there is no need to worry. If spots appear on the foliage, this may indicate the spread of infection or pest infestation. Therefore, urgent action needs to be taken.

Description of the problem

White spots often appear on raspberries, not only on ripe ones, but also on unripe ones. They cover the berries partially, in fragments, from a certain side. In this case, there are no signs of the disease – the problem is due to too high a temperature. The shrub should be sheltered from the sun, and also watered abundantly.

If white spots also appear on the leaves, this indicates a disease or the appearance of pests. The most common causes are white spot (septoria) and spider mites. You can cope with them with folk remedies, biological and chemical preparations.

Why raspberries turn white on one side

If white spots on raspberries appear only on one side, and at the same time the shrub looks healthy, most likely the reason is related to hot weather. But if there are other signs, for example, a white cobweb on raspberry leaves, this indicates the appearance of ticks. Causes may also be associated with diseases, for example, white spotting.

Heat and drought

Hot weather is one of the main reasons, which is difficult to influence. In many regions of Our Country in summer, daytime temperatures exceed 30 degrees for several days or even weeks in a row. In combination with the lack of rain, this factor has a bad effect on almost all crops.

As a result, raspberries turn white when ripe. Moreover, the surface of the fruit does not lighten entirely, but only in parts, which is associated with the destruction of the coloring pigment. A similar phenomenon is called drupe spots. The fruits lose their attractive appearance, but remain completely edible.

If the berries are partially white, they are still edible.

Agrotechnical errors

If the raspberries are white inside, this may be due to a violation of the rules of care. The raspberry bush is unpretentious, but requires regular watering. Water is strongly given at the time of tying berries and at the initial stage of fruiting. White spots may appear due to lack of nutrition. Periodically, it is necessary to make top dressing containing the main elements – nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

disease

Among the diseases, the main cause of the appearance of light spots is white spotting.

Septoria is a fungal infection that can affect more than one raspberry bush, but several plants at once. The disease leads to leaf fall and reduced yields. Pathogenic fungus mainly winters directly in the tissues of the shoots and less often in the foliage. Activated in summer. The provoking factor is excessive watering, moist air.

Main stages of development:

• first, brownish spots appear on the leaves;
• then they turn white;
• a dark border is formed along the contour of problem areas;
• damaged parts die off, which leads to the death of leaf plates.

spider mite

If the raspberries turn white, this may be due to the appearance of a spider mite. This is a dangerous pest that can settle on a variety of crops, including fruit and berries. The body of the tick is small, not visible to the eye (up to 0,7 mm in length). The main signs of infection:

• dense cobweb that covers raspberries;
• white or brownish spots on the leaves (on the inside, they can also go to the outside);
• young foliage curls;
• The buds are starting to dry up.

At the time of appearance, mites do not pose a particular danger – only individual leaves can die because of them. But as a result of the vigorous activity of insects, the leaf plates will be covered with white spots, and the entire ground part of the shrub will suffer, which will inevitably affect the yield.

What to do if there are white spots on raspberries

If raspberries turn white, you can help them in many ways. The cause needs to be diagnosed. If white spots cover only part of the fruit, while the entire shrub looks normal, then the reason is associated only with drought.

The only way to solve the problem is prevention. In the heat, raspberry bushes are given water at least once a week; in the late evening, you can sprinkle the crown. An additional measure is to mulch the roots with sawdust, straw, grass clippings or other natural materials.

Since pigmented areas can appear due to improper care, the main preventive measure is to follow the rules of agricultural technology, including:

1. Top dressing (in spring saltpeter or urea, during fruit set – superphosphate and potassium salt or complex mineral fertilizer).
2. Periodic loosening of the soil.
3. Installation of supports. They will allow the bush to take the correct form, which will provide maximum access for ventilation.
4. In the heat, it is recommended to install an awning from the sun. This will protect the bush itself, as well as the soil from overheating.
5. If necessary, cut off all affected branches and leaves.
6. In the middle of autumn, the raspberry circle is cleaned by removing all the fallen leaves.

If the cause is associated with a spider mite, white spots appear on the raspberry leaves, and the berries themselves may be covered with a small cobweb.

Pest control measures depend on the stage of plant development

Before the fruiting period (spring, early summer), as a preventive measure, a single treatment with chemicals can be carried out:

• “Fufanon”;
• “Antiklesch”;
• “Akreks”;
• “Dimetoate”;
• “Decis”.

At the ripening stage of berries, it is best to use biological preparations, for example:

• “Fitoverm”;
• “Vertimek”;
• “Akarin”;
• “Bitoxibacillin”.

If the invasion is not very strong, and the raspberry has already formed, it is possible to cope with the cause of the appearance of white spots with folk remedies. According to the experience of summer residents, the following recipes for infusions help best (the amount is given per standard bucket of water 10 liters):

• garlic cloves – 400-500 g;
• dandelion – 200 g of roots;
• tobacco dust – 200 g;
• wood ash – 200 g.

In the event of white spots due to septoria, it will be necessary to treat with a fungicide:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• “RAW”;
• “Cihom”;
• “Score”;
• “Topaz”;
• “Order”;
• “Maksim”.

Means are also desirable to apply before fruiting. If the berry has already formed, and white spots have appeared due to septoria, spraying is carried out a maximum of a week before harvest. Processing of raspberry bushes is carried out in the late evening or early morning. It is advisable to do this in dry and calm weather.

Regular watering and fertilizing will ensure not only the absence of spotting, but also a good harvest.

Conclusion

White spots on raspberries can appear for various reasons. You can influence almost every one of them. The easiest way is to follow the basic rules of care, especially watering, mulching and fertilizing. In the middle of spring, it is recommended to carry out 1-2 preventive treatments against the appearance of diseases and pests.